Change your Mac's device name through System Settings

Your Mac's device name is the label that appears when you connect to Wi-Fi networks, share files with other computers, or use AirDrop. To change it, open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), then click General in the left sidebar. At the top of the window, you'll see About — click that, and you'll find the current device name displayed as "Computer Name" near the top of the panel.

Click directly on the computer name text to edit it. A text field will appear where you can delete the old name and type a new one. Mac names can be up to 63 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and periods, but not spaces or special characters like @ or #. Once you've typed the new name, press Enter to save it. The change takes effect when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac's device name is found in System Settings > General > About, where it appears as "Computer Name."
  • Click the computer name text directly to edit it, then type your new name and press Enter to save.
  • Device names can be up to 63 characters and may include letters, numbers, hyphens, and periods, but not spaces or special characters.
  • The new name takes effect when ready and will appear on Wi-Fi networks, AirDrop, and file sharing within seconds.
  • If you cannot click the name to edit it, your user account may not have administrator permissions.

What the device name controls

The device name is what other people see when you appear on their AirDrop menu, what shows up in shared folder lists on a network, and what identifies your Mac when you connect to Wi-Fi. It's also the name that appears in your Mac's own Finder window at the top of the sidebar. Changing it does not affect your user account name, your login password, or any files on your computer.

If you use iCloud, your Mac's device name also appears in the Find My app on your other Apple devices, so you can locate it if it's lost. Giving your Mac a descriptive name — like "Kitchen MacBook" or "Home Office iMac" — makes it easier to identify which device you're connecting to when you have multiple Macs in your home or office.

Troubleshooting if you cannot edit the name

If you click the computer name and nothing happens, your user account likely does not have administrator permissions. Ask the person who set up your Mac to change the name for you, or have them grant you administrator access. To check your account type, go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, then scroll down and click Users & Groups (or in older macOS versions, System Settings > General > Users & Groups). Your account will show whether you are an "Admin" or "Standard" user.

If the name field appears grayed out or locked, your Mac may be managed by your workplace or school. In that case, contact your IT department or system administrator — they control device naming on managed machines. On a personal Mac, a locked name field is rare, but restarting your Mac and trying again sometimes resolves the issue.

How the change appears across your devices

Once you save the new name, it updates on your Mac within a few seconds. If you have other Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account, the new name will appear in Find My and in AirDrop menus on those devices within a minute or two. Other people on your Wi-Fi network will see the updated name the next time they look for available devices to connect to.

If you're sharing files through file sharing or connecting to a network drive, the name change takes effect when ready for new connections. Existing connections may need to be refreshed — you can usually do this by disconnecting and reconnecting to the shared folder or network resource.

Naming conventions that work best

Choose a name that is short, descriptive, and straightforward to remember. Names like "MacBook-Kitchen" or "iMac-Office" work well because they tell you both the device type and its location. Avoid names with numbers only, as they're harder to remember and less useful when you're looking at a list of devices. Keep it under 20 characters if possible — shorter names are easier to type and less likely to be cut off in menus.

If you have multiple Macs, include something that distinguishes them — your name, the room, or the year you bought it. This is especially helpful if you use AirDrop or file sharing regularly. Avoid special characters and spaces, as they can cause issues with some older printers or network devices that your Mac might connect to.

Changing the 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 window, you'll see a field labeled "Computer Name" — click it and type your new name. The change saves automatically when you close the window.

If you're using an even older version of macOS, the Sharing pane may look different, but the Computer Name field is always at the top. The steps are the same: open System Preferences, find Sharing, and edit the Computer Name field directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my device name affect my files or passwords?

No. Your device name is purely a label for identification on networks and in menus. It does not affect your login password, user account, files, or any settings on your Mac. You can change it as many times as you want without any impact on your data or security.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my Mac's name?

No. Mac device names accept only letters, numbers, hyphens, and periods. Spaces and special characters like @, #, !, or $ will not work. If you try to type them, your Mac will either ignore them or prevent you from saving the name.

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

The change appears on your Mac when ready. On other Apple devices using the same iCloud account, it usually shows up within one to two minutes. On Wi-Fi networks and in AirDrop menus, other people will see the new name the next time they refresh their device list.

What if I want to change my Mac's name back to the default?

You can type any name you want. If you want to restore the original name, it's usually something like "[Your Name]'s MacBook" or "[Your Name]'s iMac." You can also choose a completely new name — there's no penalty for changing it multiple times.

Does changing the device name affect my iCloud or Apple ID?

No. Your device name and your Apple ID are separate. Changing the device name does not affect your iCloud account, backups, or any services tied to your Apple ID. Your Mac will remain signed into iCloud and all your data will stay in sync.