Change Your MacBook's Name in System Settings

Your MacBook has a computer name that appears in Finder, on your network, and when you share files. To change it, open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), then click General in the left sidebar. Look for the About section at the top of the General panel.

In the About window, you'll see a field labeled Computer Name at the very top. Click on this field, delete the current name, and type the new one. The name can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and spaces, but avoid special characters like @ or &. When you're done typing, press Enter to save the change. Your MacBook will use the new name when ready on your local network, though it may take a few minutes to update across all connected devices.

If you don't see the Computer Name field in About, your account may not have admin permissions. Ask the account holder to make the change, or contact your IT department if this is a work device.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer name is found in System Settings > General > About, in the Computer Name field at the top.
  • You can use letters, numbers, hyphens, and spaces in your new name, but avoid special characters.
  • The change takes effect when ready on your local network but may take a few minutes to show on other devices.
  • Only an admin account can change the computer name; standard user accounts cannot.
  • Your computer name is different from your user account name and does not affect login or file permissions.

What Your Computer Name Controls

Your computer name is the label that appears when you browse shared files on a network, when you use AirDrop, and when other people try to connect to your Mac remotely. It's also the name that shows up in the Finder sidebar under "Shared" when other Macs look for devices to connect to. Changing it does not affect your login password, your user account name, or any of your files.

This is separate from your hostname, which is a technical name your Mac uses behind the scenes. For most home and office users, changing the computer name in System Settings is all you need to do. The hostname updates automatically to match.

Renaming Your Mac When You Can't Access System Settings

If System Settings is locked or you're having trouble opening it, restart your Mac and try again. Hold down the power button for 10 seconds until your Mac shuts down, wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Once it's fully booted, open System Settings and navigate back to General > About.

If you're still unable to access System Settings after a restart, your account may not have admin rights. On a personal Mac, you can create a new admin account by going to System Settings > General > Users & Groups (or Accounts on older macOS versions), clicking the lock icon to unlock it, then clicking the plus button to add a new account. Set it as an Administrator account, then use that account to change your computer name.

Changing Your Computer Name on Older macOS Versions

On macOS Monterey and earlier, the process is slightly different. Open System Preferences (not System Settings), then click Sharing. At the top of the Sharing window, you'll see a field labeled Computer Name. Click it, type your new name, and press Enter.

If you're unsure which macOS version you have, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select About This Mac. The version number appears in the first line of the window. Monterey is version 12, Big Sur is version 11, and Catalina is version 10.15. Any version older than Monterey uses System Preferences instead of System Settings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is confusing your computer name with your user account name. Your account name is what you type when you log in; your computer name is what appears on the network. Changing one does not change the other. If you want to change your account name as well, that's a separate process in System Settings > General > Users & Groups.

Another mistake is using special characters in your computer name. Characters like @, #, $, %, and & can cause problems on networks or when using certain sharing features. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and spaces. If you've already used special characters and your Mac isn't appearing on the network, go back to About and remove them.

Don't worry if the change doesn't show up when ready on other devices. Network caches can take a few minutes to update. If a device still shows the old name after 10 minutes, restart that device or disconnect and reconnect to the network.

Why You Might Want to Change Your Computer Name

You might rename your Mac to make it easier to find on a shared network, especially if you have multiple Macs in your home or office. A descriptive name like "Kitchen-MacBook" or "Office-iMac" is much easier to spot than the default name Apple assigns. If you inherited a used Mac or received one from a previous owner, changing the name is a good way to personalize it.

Some people also change their computer name for privacy reasons, to avoid broadcasting a personal name on a public network. Using a generic name like "MacBook-Office" instead of "Sarah's MacBook" is a straightforward way to keep your identity less visible to others on the same WiFi network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my computer name affect my files or passwords?

No. Your computer name is purely a network label. It does not affect your login password, your user account, your files, or any software installed on your Mac. You can change it as many times as you want without any impact on how your Mac works.

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

Spaces are fine, but avoid special characters like @, #, $, %, &, and asterisks. These can cause problems with network sharing and remote access. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and spaces for the best results.

How long does it take for the new name to show up on other devices?

The change is when ready on your Mac, but other devices on your network may take a few minutes to see the new name. If a device still shows the old name after 10 minutes, try restarting that device or disconnecting and reconnecting to WiFi.

What's the difference between computer name and hostname?

Your computer name is the friendly label you see in Finder and on the network. Your hostname is the technical name your Mac uses behind the scenes. When you change the computer name in System Settings, the hostname updates automatically, so you don't need to change it separately.

Can I change my computer name if I'm not an admin?

No. Only an admin account can change the computer name. If you're using a standard user account, ask the admin to make the change for you, or create a new admin account on your Mac.