iMessage Name and Photo Sharing: How to Set It Up

Set up Name and Photo Sharing so people you message can see the name and image you choose for your iMessage profile. You can decide whether to share automatically with contacts or have iPhone ask each time; you’ll need an iPhone signed in to iMessage and a name or photo to use.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone with iMessage turned on. The setting names may vary slightly by iOS version.
An Apple Account signed in for iMessage, plus an active phone number or email address for iMessage.
A name and, if you want one, a photo, emoji, or Memoji image. You can take or choose a photo during setup.

Step-by-Step

Open Messages. Find the Messages app on your iPhone and open it. Make sure you’re using the iPhone where you want to configure your iMessage profile.
Open your profile controls. In Messages, tap Edit at the top-left of the conversations screen. Tap Set Up Name and Photo if it appears. If you have already made a profile, tap your name or photo, or choose the option to edit it. On some iOS versions, the route is Messages > Edit > Name & Photo.
Enter the name you want to share. Type your first and last name, or another name you’re comfortable having displayed to people you message. Check the spelling and capitalization. Your choice is a display name; it does not change the name on your Apple Account or the name saved in someone else’s Contacts.
Choose a profile image. Tap the photo circle or profile image control. Depending on your iOS version, you can take a new photo, select one from your photo library, or choose an emoji or Memoji. Follow the on-screen prompts to position or crop it, then tap Done or Continue to keep it. You can also set up sharing without choosing a photo if that option is offered.
Review the preview. Check how the name and image look together. If needed, return to the editing controls to change the crop, image, or name before saving. The preview helps you spot a photo that is too zoomed in or a name that is hard to recognize.
Choose who sees the profile. Turn on Name and Photo Sharing if it is not already enabled. Under the sharing control, select one of the offered options. Contacts Only shares automatically with people your iPhone recognizes as contacts. Always Ask prompts you before sharing with someone, where that choice is available. The exact wording and available choices can differ by iOS version.
Save and confirm. Tap Done to save your profile. If you chose Always Ask, respond to the prompt when you start a conversation with someone new. If you chose Contacts Only, check that the person is saved in Contacts if your profile is not offered automatically.
Check that iMessage is active. Open Settings > Apps > Messages on newer iOS versions, or Settings > Messages on some earlier versions. Confirm iMessage is on. You can also check Send & Receive to see which phone number or email addresses are enabled for iMessage.

Common Mistakes

Assuming the profile changes a contact card. Name and Photo Sharing offers your chosen details to people through iMessage. It does not overwrite their saved contact information or change your account name everywhere.
Expecting it to work in every kind of message. This is an iMessage feature. It may not apply to SMS or MMS conversations, which are not sent through iMessage.
Choosing Contacts Only without saving the person. If the recipient is not in your iPhone’s Contacts, automatic sharing may not happen. Use the available prompt or add the person to Contacts if appropriate.
Forgetting the sharing toggle. Selecting a photo and name alone may not enable sharing. Return to the profile screen and verify that Name and Photo Sharing is on.
Using a photo you don’t want to share. Consider that the profile image and name are intended to be shown to other people in conversations. Choose an image and display name you’re comfortable sharing.

Tips

Choose Always Ask if you want to review each sharing request instead of sending your profile automatically to contacts.
Use a clear, recognizable image that still looks good when displayed as a small circle. Adjust the crop before saving.
Use a name that helps your recipients identify you, particularly if they may not have your number saved.
Revisit the profile screen whenever you want to update your image, name, or sharing preference. Check the preview after each change.
Keep iOS reasonably up to date if the instructions or controls on your iPhone differ. Settings can move or be relabeled between releases.

Troubleshooting

You can’t find Name and Photo Sharing: Open Messages and look under Edit on the conversations screen. If you already set up a profile, look for your name or image and an edit option instead of the initial setup prompt. Also check Settings for Messages and confirm iMessage is enabled.

Your profile does not appear to the other person: First check that the conversation is an iMessage conversation, not SMS or MMS. Then confirm Name and Photo Sharing is on and review your sharing choice. With Contacts Only, make sure the recipient is saved in your iPhone’s Contacts. With Always Ask, look for a sharing prompt and approve it if you want to share. The recipient may also need to use iMessage.

The wrong name or photo appears: In Messages, return to your profile editing screen, update the name or image, and save with Done. Ask the recipient to check the conversation again. If they have already saved a contact card for you, their saved details may take precedence on their device.

Setup or sharing controls seem stuck: Close and reopen Messages, then check the iMessage switch in Settings. Confirm that your iPhone has an internet connection and that an iMessage address is selected under Send & Receive. Restarting the iPhone and checking for an iOS update are reasonable next steps. If iMessage itself will not activate, follow Apple’s current iMessage activation guidance or contact Apple Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Name and Photo Sharing work with Android phones?
It is an iMessage profile feature, so it does not provide the same sharing experience in SMS/MMS conversations with Android phones.

Can I use an emoji or Memoji instead of a photo?
Yes. The available profile choices can include a photo, emoji, or Memoji. Choose the option shown on your iPhone.

Will this change my name in someone else’s Contacts?
No. It shares your selected profile in iMessage; it does not edit another person’s saved contact card.

Can I share with only some people?
Choose Always Ask if available, then decide when prompted. Contacts Only shares automatically with people recognized as contacts, rather than letting you create a custom list in this setting.

Can I turn sharing off later?
Yes. Return to your name and photo settings in Messages and turn off Name and Photo Sharing. You can also change the sharing option there.

Why does the other person see a different image?
They may have saved their own photo or contact details for you, or the conversation may not be using iMessage. Ask them to check your contact card and confirm the conversation type.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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