What you need to know before renaming your admin account

Changing your admin account name on a Mac is straightforward, but it works differently than just changing your display name. Your Mac has two names for the admin account: the account name (also called the short name or username), which is what appears in the login window and terminal, and the full name, which is what shows up in System Settings and on documents. Most people want to change the full name, which takes about two minutes. Changing the account name itself is more involved because it affects file paths and system permissions, and Apple recommends doing it only if you have a specific reason.

You'll need to be logged in as an admin user to make either change. If you're the only user on your Mac, you already have admin access. If there are multiple users, you need to know an admin password.

Key Takeaways

  • Changing your full name (the display name) takes two minutes and requires only your admin password in System Settings.
  • Changing your account name (username) is more complex and affects file paths, so only do it if you have a specific reason.
  • If you change your account name, you'll need to update file permissions and may lose access to some settings and preferences.
  • You cannot rename the account you're currently logged into; you must use a different admin account or create a temporary one first.

How to change your full name (the display name)

This is the simplest change and the one most people need. Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder). Click "General" in the sidebar, then look for your account information at the top of the window. You'll see your full name displayed there.

Click the "Edit" button next to your name. A text field will appear. Delete the current name and type the new one. Click "Done" when you're finished. Your Mac will ask you to authenticate with your admin password. Enter it and click "OK". The change takes effect when ready—your new name will appear in the login window, on documents you create, and in System Settings.

How to change your account name (username)

Changing your account name is more involved because it affects the folder path where your files are stored and the permissions tied to that folder. Apple does not provide a built-in tool to do this safely, so the standard method is to create a new admin account with the name you want, transfer your files, and delete the old account.

First, create a new temporary admin account. Open System Settings, click "General," then click "Users & Groups" (or "Users" on newer Macs). Click the lock icon and enter your admin password. Click the "+" button to add a new user. Set the account type to "Administrator," give it a temporary name like "Temp Admin," and set a password you'll remember. Click "Create User."

Log out of your current account and log into the new temporary admin account. Open System Settings again and go to Users & Groups. Select your original account and click the "-" button to delete it. A dialog will appear asking what to do with the files in that account's home folder. Choose "Keep the home folder" so your files are not deleted. Click "Delete User."

Now create a new admin account with the name you actually want. Use the same process: click "+", set it to Administrator, enter your desired account name, set a password, and click "Create User." Log into this new account. Open Finder and navigate to the Users folder (or press Shift+Command+U). You'll see a folder with your old account name. Inside the Users folder, you should also see a folder called "Deleted Users" or similar, which contains the home folder from your old account.

Drag the contents of your old home folder into the new one. This includes your Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and any other personal files. You may be asked to authenticate. Once the transfer is complete, you can delete the temporary admin account and the old home folder. Log out of the new account and log back in to confirm everything is in place.

Why you cannot rename the account you're logged into

macOS does not allow you to rename the account you're currently using because the system needs to maintain consistent file permissions and folder ownership while you're working. If you try to change the account name while logged in, the system would have to update thousands of file permissions in real time, which creates the risk of losing access to your own files.

This is why the workaround involves creating a separate admin account first. The account you want to rename must be inactive (logged out) for the change to be safe.

What happens to your files and settings after a name change

If you change only your full name, nothing happens to your files or settings. Everything stays exactly where it is, and you'll see the new name everywhere when ready.

If you change your account name using the method above, your files are transferred to the new home folder, but some applications may lose track of preferences or saved data because they were looking for files in the old folder path. Mail, Photos, and some other Apple apps usually migrate their data automatically. Third-party applications may not. After the transfer, open your most-used applications and check that your settings and data are still there. If an process is missing preferences, you may need to set it up again or restore those preferences manually from a backup.

When to call Apple Support

If you get stuck during the account creation or deletion process, or if you accidentally delete your home folder and need to recover files, contact Apple Support. They can walk you through recovery options or help you restore from a Time Machine backup if you have one.

If you're trying to change the account name on a Mac you don't own or don't have the admin password for, you'll need the original owner or administrator to make the change. There is no way around the admin password requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my account name without creating a new account?

Not safely. macOS does not have a built-in rename function for account names because it would require updating file ownership and permissions while the account is in use. The account creation method described above is the standard approach recommended by Apple.

Will changing my account name affect my passwords or login?

Your login password stays the same—you set it when you create the new account. However, some applications that store passwords tied to your old account name may ask you to re-enter them. This is normal and happens because the process is looking for credentials in a folder path that no longer exists.

What if I only want to change my name in the login window?

That's your full name, which you can change in System Settings without creating a new account. Open System Settings, click General, find your account information, click Edit, and type your new name. This is the quickest option if you don't need to change your username.

Can I have two admin accounts with different names?

Yes. You can create as many admin accounts as you need. Each one has its own home folder, files, and settings. This is useful if multiple people use the same Mac or if you want to keep work and personal files separate.

What should I do if I lose access to files after changing my account name?

If you transferred files but an process can't find them, try opening the process and pointing it to the new location manually. For Mail and Photos, try logging out and back in. If you have a Time Machine backup from before the change, you can restore individual files from it. If nothing works, contact Apple Support with details about which files or applications are affected.