Where to find your Mac's name and why you might change it
Your Mac has a computer name — the name that appears when other people browse your computer on a network, and the name that shows up in your Wi-Fi settings. You can change this name at any time without affecting your files, passwords, or how your Mac runs. Most people change it to something more personal, to match a new owner, or to make it easier to find on a shared network.
The process takes about two minutes and requires no restart. You'll need to know your Mac's admin password, but you don't need to restart or reinstall anything.
Key Takeaways
- Your Mac's computer name is found in System Settings under General, then About, and can be changed by clicking the Edit button next to the name field.
- You must have an admin account on your Mac to change the computer name; a standard user account cannot make this change.
- The new name takes effect when ready and does not require a restart, though networked devices may take a few minutes to recognize the change.
- Computer names can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @ or &.
- Changing the computer name does not affect your user account name, files, passwords, or any installed software.
How to change your Mac's name in System Settings
Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. On the left sidebar, click General. Then click the About button near the top of the right panel.
You'll see a field labeled "Computer Name" with your current name displayed. Click the Edit button next to it. A text box will appear where you can type your new name. Delete the old name and type the new one, then click Rename.
Your Mac will update the name when ready. If you're on a network with other computers or devices, they may take a few minutes to recognize the new name, but your Mac itself will use it right away.
What characters and length work in a Mac name
Mac computer names can be up to 63 characters long, though shorter names are easier to type and remember. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and hyphens. Spaces and special characters like @ # $ % & and * will not work — if you try to use them, your Mac will reject the name and ask you to try again.
A good approach is to use hyphens instead of spaces if you want to separate words. For example, "Living-Room-Mac" or "Jennifers-MacBook-Pro" both work well. Avoid names that are only numbers, as some network devices have trouble with purely numeric names.
When you need admin access to change the name
Only an account with admin privileges can change the computer name. If you're using a standard user account, you'll see the Edit button, but clicking it will prompt you to enter an admin password. If you don't know the admin password, you cannot change the name.
If you're the only person who uses your Mac and you set it up yourself, your account is almost certainly an admin account. If you're on a shared Mac or a work computer, ask the person who manages it to change the name for you, or ask them to give you temporary admin access.
How the computer name differs from your user account name
Your Mac actually has two separate names. The computer name is what appears on the network and in sharing settings. Your user account name is the name of your login account and the folder where your files are stored. Changing the computer name does not change your user account name, and vice versa.
If you want to change your user account name instead — the name that appears on the login screen and in the Users folder — that's a different process in System Settings under General, then Users & Groups. But for most people, changing the computer name is what they need.
Troubleshooting if the name won't change or doesn't stick
If you click Edit and nothing happens, make sure you're logged in with an admin account. If you see a password prompt, enter your admin password and try again. If the name still won't change, restart your Mac and try once more — sometimes a temporary system glitch prevents the change from taking effect.
If you change the name successfully but other devices on your network still show the old name, wait 10 to 15 minutes. Network devices cache the old name and update it on their own schedule. If a device still shows the old name after 30 minutes, restart that device (your printer, router, or other computer) and it should pick up the new name.
What happens to your Mac after you change the name
Changing the computer name affects only how your Mac appears to other devices and people. Your files, folders, passwords, and installed software all stay exactly the same. You don't need to restart, log out, or do anything else — the change is complete as soon as you click Rename.
If you share files with other people over your network, they may see a brief interruption in access while their devices update to the new name, but this usually resolves in seconds. If you use your Mac's name in any bookmarks or shortcuts (for example, a network address like "smb://old-name.local"), you'll need to update those manually to use the new name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Mac's name back to what it was before?
Yes, you can change it as many times as you want. Go back to System Settings > General > About, click Edit next to the computer name, and type the old name (or any new name). There's no limit to how many times you can change it.
Will changing my Mac's name affect my Wi-Fi or internet connection?
No. Your internet connection depends on your Wi-Fi password and network settings, not on your computer's name. Changing the name will not disconnect you or require you to log back into Wi-Fi.
What if I forgot my admin password and can't change the name?
You'll need to reset your admin password through System Settings or Apple ID recovery before you can change the computer name. If you don't have access to either, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for help recovering your account.
Does the computer name show up when I'm using the internet or visiting websites?
No. Websites and internet services do not see your computer's name. Your name is visible only to other devices on your local network (your home Wi-Fi, office network, etc.) and in your own system settings.
Can I use emoji or special characters in my Mac's name?
No. Mac computer names accept only letters, numbers, and hyphens. If you try to use emoji, spaces, or special characters, your Mac will reject the name and ask you to try again with allowed characters only.