Where to find your computer's name in System Settings

Your Apple computer's name appears in System Settings under the General tab. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), then click General in the sidebar. At the top of the window, you'll see "About" — click that. The first line shows your computer's name, which is what your Mac is called on your network and in file sharing.

This name is different from your user account name. Your computer name is what appears when other people browse shared files on your network, or when you're setting up AirDrop. You can change it here too by clicking the "Edit" button next to the name field, typing a new name, and clicking "Done."

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer's name is found in System Settings > General > About, at the very top of the window.
  • The name you see there is what appears to other computers on your network, not your login account name.
  • You can change your computer's name by clicking Edit next to the name field in the About section.
  • Your Mac's model (like MacBook Pro or iMac) and year are also listed in the About window below the computer name.
  • On very old Macs running OS X 10.6 or earlier, the name is in System Preferences > Sharing instead.

Finding your Mac's model and year

The same About window that shows your computer's name also displays your Mac's model and the year it was made. Below the computer name, you'll see lines for "Model Name" (such as MacBook Pro or Mac mini) and "Model Identifier." The model name tells you what type of Mac you own.

If you want more detail — like the exact processor, amount of RAM, or storage capacity — scroll down in the About window. All of that information is listed there. This is useful when you're troubleshooting, buying software, or checking whether your Mac can run a newer operating system.

Using Terminal to check your computer name

If you prefer using the command line, you can find your computer's name through Terminal. Open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, typing "Terminal," and pressing Enter). Type the command scutil --get ComputerName and press Enter. Your computer's name will appear on the next line.

You can also type hostname to see your Mac's network hostname, which may be slightly different from the display name. The display name is what you see in System Settings; the hostname is what your Mac uses internally on the network. Both are useful to know if you're setting up file sharing or connecting to your Mac remotely.

Finding your computer name on the login screen

When you restart your Mac or log out, the login screen shows your computer's name at the bottom of the window. This is a quick way to confirm your Mac's name without opening System Settings. The name appears in small text below the user account icons.

This method is helpful if you've just set up your Mac and want to verify the name was entered correctly, or if you're troubleshooting network issues and need to confirm what name other devices see.

Changing your computer's name

To change your computer's name, go to System Settings > General > About and click the "Edit" button next to the current name. Type the new name you want — you can use letters, numbers, and hyphens, but avoid special characters and spaces if possible, as they can cause issues with network sharing. Click "Done" when you're finished.

The change takes effect when ready, but devices that were already connected to your Mac may need a moment to recognize the new name. If you're sharing files with other computers, let them know about the name change so they can find your Mac on the network under its new name.

What to do if you can't find the About section

On very old Macs running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or earlier, the computer name is in a different location. Open System Preferences (not System Settings), click Sharing, and look for the "Computer Name" field at the top of the window. The name you see there is your Mac's network name.

If you're using a Mac with an M1, M2, M3, or newer chip, or any Mac from the last five years, you'll use System Settings as described above. If you're unsure which version of macOS you're running, that information is also in System Settings > General > About, listed as "System Version."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my computer name the same as my user account name?

No. Your computer name is what your Mac is called on the network; your user account name is your login. You can have a computer named "Kitchen-Mac" with a user account named "Sarah." Other people see the computer name when browsing shared files, but they see your user account name when you send them a file.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my computer name?

You can type them, but it's better not to. Spaces and special characters can cause problems with network sharing and remote access. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens. If you've already used spaces, your Mac will usually convert them to hyphens automatically on the network.

Why does my computer name have a number at the end?

Apple adds a number (like "MacBook-Pro-2") when you first set up your Mac if a computer with that name already exists on your network. You can remove the number by editing the name in System Settings > General > About, as long as no other Mac on your network uses that name.

Will changing my computer name affect my files or passwords?

No. Changing your computer name only changes what it's called on the network. Your files, passwords, and settings stay exactly the same. The change is purely cosmetic and affects only how other devices see your Mac.

What if I see different names in Terminal and System Settings?

Terminal shows your Mac's hostname, which is the technical network name. System Settings shows the display name, which is the friendly name you see. Both are correct — they're just different ways of identifying your Mac. The display name is what matters for most everyday use.