Eero 6 attached device renaming

[Nick2345]

I have just started using the Eero 6 (setting it up was an "experience" in itself, but let's not dwell on that) and I want to rename attached devices from unhelpful names such as "unnamed device". Easy? Well, not it seems. Google and even the TT guides tell you what to do, and it seems like it should be simple enough, but... my Eero does not work like that.

According to the guides, I should be able to select a device, click on the display name and change it and then click "done" or "save" (or something like that). I am able to click on the device and it shows up a page with details. Good start. I can change the name shown at the top of the screen (which I guess is the display name?). Excellent. Then what? I can "pause" the device or click on the little "x" on the right of the name field (which unsurprisingly just deletes all the text), but there is no "save" or "done" button. I can hit "return" on the virtual keyboard, but that does nothing. I can click on the "x" in the top left of the screen. That undoes the change I made and exits the page, going back to the home screen.

Hence, at present, my Eero 6 appears to have no way to change device names. Or am I going about this entirely the wrong way? I have searched all areas of the app and can see no way to change the names of devices. I am therefore stuck with a load of device names that mean nothing in most cases. Whilst this is hardly the end of the world, it is frustrating that a device that is supposed to be "changing the way wifi works" appears not to be able to achieve even simple tasks.

Perhaps the device name change option used to be a feature and has been removed in a bid to "improve" the app? An odd improvement.

Anyway, if someone could advise on this, I would be grateful. The Eero firmware did update shortly after the device was set up and is on v7.5.1.

[KeithFrench]

I think that the real issue here is despite the fact that you have the Eero app on your Chromebook, the only device's it is supported on are Android and iPhone. Your app is obviously basically OK, but you must expect some operations do not work.

[Nick2345]

No, not yet. Now I know iOS app works okay I don't really need to get the chromebook app to function perfectly. 

[ferguson]

My guess is that it is a Chromebook "thing." Have you reached out to eero support directly to ask the question? 

[Nick2345]

Thanks Keith,

Exactly what I try to do on Android, but it does not work. Hitting return does not set it and instead all I see is a "x" in the top left of the screen, so I have to exit out without saving the name change. Tried it multiple times now and exactly the same thing happens every time. On iOS it works. Maybe you have an older version of the Eero app on your android device. mine is 6.46.0.36662. Alternatively, maybe it is a chromebook thing. Anyway, thanks for the detailed instructions, which at least verify that I am not being a complete idiot. Best wishes,

[KeithFrench]

It works fine on Android, I have no idea about iPhone, as I do not have one.

[KeithFrench]

Set the new Nickname:-

Set Nickname

Press the Enter key:-

Press the enter key

Tap the back icon that is now present to go back to the Connected Devices & Port Details screen where the new name is shown for the device:-

Return to previous page

[Nick2345]

Hello Keith, iOS version of the app "works". There is no tick or "save" or "done" option, but hitting return does result in the name change "sticking". This is not apparent until you exit the page, but at that point the name changes on the devices screen. There are visual differences between the android and iOS apps. For example, android shows all the devices on the home screen, whereas on iOS there is a specific page for devices. Hence, unless I am doing something wrong on the android app, there does appear to be a bug in it that prevents nicknaming of devices. Could be because I am using a chromebook of course, but the app runs fine and I have not seen any other issues with it.

[KeithFrench]

I will have to power up my eero......

[Nick2345]

Thanks Keith,

Indeed, that is exactly what I have been trying to change. I can edit the text without issue. The problem is that there is no way to get it to stay changed. Hitting "return" on the virtual keyboard does not set it and there is no "tick" anywhere. All I can do is use the "x" next to the field to delete the contents or the "x" in the top left of the screen to leave the page. That all reverts the name back to the default. Hence, I cannot change it. I am using a chromebook (so Android) app. Perhaps if I try iOS it will work? Let me go and get my old iPad and fire that up and try it.

[Nick2345]

Hello Keith,

That is very helpful, thank you. Can you please do a "step by step" describing exactly what to click on and with screen shots ideally, since what you describe is (I believe) exactly what I have been trying to do and failing in the way I describe in my post. There is no "tick" box and hitting return does nothing. When I leave the page, the name is unchanged. That is the problem I am having. The firmware does not appear to allow me to make the change that the guides say is possible.

[KeithFrench]

In case this helps:-

Device Nickname

[KeithFrench]

Hi @Nick2345 

Each device is listed under its default hostname unless a Nickname is set. A Nickname can easily be configured to make that device more recognisable to the user. To do this, tap on the device in question & set a suitable nickname at the top of the page and tap the tick icon or the Enter key on the soft keyboard.