Change your MacBook Pro's name in System Settings

Your MacBook Pro 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 About near the top of the General section and click it.

In the About window, you'll see your current computer name at the top. Click the Edit button next to it. A text field will appear where you can type your new name. Type what you want, then click Done. The change takes effect when ready.

Your new name will show up in Finder under "Locations" on the left sidebar, and other computers on your network will see the updated name when you share files or use AirDrop. If you're on a work network, check with your IT department before changing the name—some organizations require specific naming formats.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, click General, then About to find your computer name and the Edit button.
  • The computer name appears in Finder, on your network, and in file-sharing settings, so choose something you'll recognize.
  • Changes take effect when ready without restarting your Mac.
  • Avoid special characters like @ or # in your computer name, as they can cause problems on networks.
  • If your Mac is part of a work network, confirm the naming rules with your IT team before making the change.

Where your computer name shows up

Once you change your computer name, it appears in several places. In Finder, look at the left sidebar under "Locations"—your Mac's name is listed there. When you use AirDrop to send files to another Apple device, the recipient sees your computer name. If you share a printer or external drive on your network, other computers will see your Mac listed under that name.

The name also shows up in System Preferences on other Macs when you browse shared computers, and it's what appears in your router's list of connected devices. If you use remote access tools or screen sharing, the name helps you identify which Mac you're connecting to.

Naming rules and what to avoid

While macOS lets you type almost anything, some characters cause problems on networks. Avoid using @ symbols, # symbols, or other special characters—they can prevent your Mac from connecting properly to shared printers or file servers. Spaces are fine, but keep the name under 63 characters so it displays fully everywhere.

If your Mac is part of a company network, your IT department may have specific naming conventions—like including your department or employee number. Ask them before you change it. For personal use, pick something descriptive that helps you remember which Mac it is, especially if you own multiple Apple computers.

Changing the local hostname (advanced)

The computer name you change in System Settings is the one people see. There's also a local hostname that your Mac uses internally on networks—it's the same name with ".local" added to it. Most people never need to change this, but if you're setting up network services or troubleshooting connection issues, you might need to.

To change the local hostname, open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal) and type: sudo scutil --set HostName YourNewName, then press Enter. Replace "YourNewName" with what you want. You'll be asked for your password. This is optional and only necessary if you're doing advanced network setup.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If you change your computer name and can't see your Mac on the network anymore, restart your Mac. Sometimes the network needs a moment to recognize the new name. If you're still not visible after restarting, check that you're connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the other device you're trying to reach.

If you used special characters and now can't connect to a shared printer or network drive, go back to System Settings > General > About and remove the special characters from your name. Then restart and try connecting again. If a work network stops recognizing your Mac after a name change, contact your IT department—they may need to update their records.

Renaming a Mac you're selling or giving away

Before you hand off your MacBook Pro, change the computer name back to something generic or to the new owner's preference. This prevents confusion if the new owner connects it to a network where the old name might still be remembered by other devices. You can also reset the Mac entirely using Erase All Content and Settings, which removes all your data and gives the new owner a fresh start.

If you're keeping the Mac but changing owners within your household, a new name makes it clear who the device belongs to. This is especially useful if multiple people in your home have MacBook Pros and you're sharing files or printers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my computer name affect my files or passwords?

No. Your files, passwords, and all your data stay exactly where they are. The computer name is just a label that helps you and other devices identify your Mac on a network. Changing it won't delete anything or log you out of accounts.

Can I use spaces or numbers in my computer name?

Yes, spaces and numbers are fine. Avoid @ # and other special characters, but a name like "Sarah's MacBook Pro" or "MacBook 2" works without problems. Keep it under 63 characters so it displays fully on networks.

What happens if two Macs on the same network have the same name?

macOS will add a number to one of them automatically, like "MacBook Pro" and "MacBook Pro 2". To avoid confusion, give each Mac a unique name. This is especially important if you're sharing files or using AirDrop between them.

Do I need to restart my Mac after changing its name?

No. The change takes effect when ready. However, if other devices on your network aren't seeing the new name, restart your Mac to refresh the network connection. Other devices may also need a moment or a restart to recognize the updated name.

Can I change my computer name back to what it was before?

Yes, anytime. Go back to System Settings > General > About, click Edit, and type the old name. There's no limit to how many times you can change it. If you forget what the original name was, you can set it to anything you want—there's no requirement to restore the old one.