Change your Mac's name through System Settings

Open System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then select About. You will see a field labeled "Computer Name" at the top of the window. Click that field, type the new name you want, and press Enter. The change takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart.

Your Mac's computer name is what appears in Finder when you browse shared computers on a network, and what shows up in AirDrop and file-sharing dialogs. It is separate from your user account name, which is the folder name in /Users and the name that appears on the login screen.

The name can be up to 63 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and spaces. Avoid special characters like @ or / because they can cause problems with network sharing and remote access.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to System Settings > General > About and click the Computer Name field to change it directly.
  • The computer name is what other devices see on your network, not your user account name.
  • Changes take effect right away without restarting your Mac.
  • Use letters, numbers, hyphens, and spaces; avoid special characters that can break network features.
  • If you cannot edit the Computer Name field, you may need to unlock System Settings by clicking the lock icon and entering your password.

Why you might want to change your computer name

A clear, descriptive name makes it easier to find your Mac when connecting to shared drives, printers, or other devices on your home or office network. If you inherited a Mac with a generic name like "MacBook-5" or a previous owner's name, changing it helps you identify your machine at a glance.

The computer name also appears in AirDrop, so a recognizable name makes it simpler for others to send files to your Mac. If you use remote access tools like Apple Remote Desktop or SSH, the computer name is often the first thing you type to locate your machine.

What happens when you change the computer name

The change is when ready and does not require a restart. Your Mac will keep the same name across sleep, logout, and restart — it is a permanent setting until you change it again.

If your Mac is part of a network domain (common in offices), changing the computer name in System Settings may not stick if your network administrator has locked it through directory services. In that case, you will see the Computer Name field but cannot edit it. Contact your IT department to change it.

Changing the computer name does not affect your files, applications, or user account. Your home folder, login name, and all your data remain exactly as they were.

Difference between computer name and local hostname

Your Mac actually has two names: the Computer Name (what you see in System Settings and on the network) and the Local Hostname (used for network services like SSH and file sharing). Most of the time you only need to change the Computer Name.

If you use Terminal and need to change the Local Hostname as well, you can do that through the command line, but it is not necessary for everyday use. The Computer Name change in System Settings is sufficient for network browsing, AirDrop, and printer discovery.

Troubleshooting if you cannot change the computer name

If the Computer Name field is grayed out or will not let you type, click the lock icon at the bottom of the System Settings window and enter your administrator password. This unlocks the settings so you can make changes.

If you are on a work Mac managed by your company, the administrator may have restricted this setting. In that case, contact your IT support team — they can change it remotely or give you permission to do so yourself.

If the name reverts after you restart, your Mac may be enrolled in a mobile device management (MDM) system that resets the name automatically. This is common on company-issued machines. Again, your IT department can help you change this behavior.

Choosing a good computer name

Pick a name that is short, memorable, and describes your machine or its purpose. Examples: "Sarah-MacBook", "Kitchen-iMac", "Office-Mac-Mini", or "Design-Studio-Mac". Avoid names with only numbers or generic defaults like "MacBook" because they do not stand out on a shared network.

If you share your network with others, a descriptive name helps everyone identify which device is which. If you use multiple Macs, numbering them (like "Mac-1" and "Mac-2") or naming them by location (like "Bedroom-Mac" and "Living-Room-Mac") makes it clear which is which when you are browsing shared files or using AirDrop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the computer name affect my Wi-Fi or internet connection?

No. Your Mac's network connection depends on your Wi-Fi password and network settings, not the computer name. Changing the name will not disconnect you or require you to rejoin your network.

Can I use emoji or special characters in the computer name?

Emoji and most special characters (like @, /, or &) can cause problems with network sharing and remote access tools. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and spaces to avoid issues.

Does changing the computer name change my iCloud or Apple ID?

No. Your Apple ID and iCloud account are tied to your user account and email address, not the computer name. Changing the computer name does not affect your Apple ID, iCloud sync, or any of your accounts.

What if I change the name and then forget what it was?

Go back to System Settings > General > About to see the current Computer Name. You can change it again at any time with no penalty.

Do I need to tell other people on my network that I changed the name?

If others have bookmarked your Mac as a shared computer or saved it in their Favorites, they may need to re-add it using the new name. For AirDrop and casual file sharing, the new name will show up automatically the next time they look for your Mac.