Change Your Mac Name Through System Settings
You can change your Mac's computer name in System Settings in about two minutes. Open System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock or Applications folder), click General in the left sidebar, then click About. At the top, you'll see "Computer Name" — click the Edit button next to it, type your new name, and click Done. Your Mac will use this name on your local network and in file sharing.
The name you enter can include letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens. Avoid special characters like @ or / because they can cause problems with network sharing. Your Mac will ask you to confirm the change, and the new name takes effect when ready — you don't need to restart.
Key Takeaways
- Your computer name is found in System Settings > General > About, where you can edit it directly without restarting.
- The name you choose appears on your local network and in file sharing, so pick something you'll recognize if you share files with others.
- You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens, but avoid special characters that may break network features.
- If you're on an older Mac running macOS Monterey or earlier, the setting is in System Preferences > Sharing instead.
- Changing your computer name does not affect your user account name or password.
Where to Find the Computer Name Setting on Newer Macs
On macOS Ventura and later, System Settings is the main place to change your name. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings, then go to General > About. The "Computer Name" field is at the top of the window. If you don't see an Edit button, your Mac may be set to prevent changes — check that you're logged in with an administrator account.
If you're using an older Mac with macOS Monterey or Big Sur, the setting moved to a different location. Open System Preferences (not System Settings), click Sharing, and you'll see "Computer Name" at the top of the window. The process is the same — just click the name field and type your new one.
What Happens When You Change Your Computer Name
Your Mac's computer name is what appears when other people on your network browse for shared files or printers. If you use AirDrop, the name shows up there too. Changing it does not affect your login password, your user account name, or any of your files — it's purely a network identifier.
If you're part of a workplace network or use your Mac with a company server, check with your IT department before changing the name. Some organizations lock this setting or require names to follow a specific format. On a personal Mac at home, you have full control and can change it as often as you like.
Choosing a Name That Works Well on Your Network
Pick a name that's straightforward to remember and describes what the Mac is — for example, "Sarah's MacBook" or "Kitchen-iMac" works better than a random string of numbers. Keep it under 63 characters, though shorter is better. Avoid spaces if possible, because some older devices on your network may have trouble with them — use hyphens instead, like "Sarah-MacBook".
If you have multiple Macs, giving each one a distinct name prevents confusion when you're looking for a specific device to share files with. The name is also what appears in your WiFi settings and in the Finder sidebar when you browse the network, so clarity saves you time later.
Fixing Problems After Changing Your Name
If you change your computer name and suddenly can't see your Mac on the network, restart your Mac and wait 30 seconds — the network usually picks up the new name automatically. If file sharing stops working, go back to System Settings > General > About and make sure the name doesn't contain special characters like @ or /.
If you're on a work network and the name change caused problems, you may need to rejoin the network or ask your IT team to update their records. On a home network, unplugging your router for 10 seconds and plugging it back in often clears up any lingering issues. Your Mac's name is separate from your WiFi network name (SSID), so changing one doesn't affect the other.
The Difference Between Computer Name and Local Hostname
Your Mac actually has two names: the Computer Name (what you see in System Settings) and the Local Hostname (used for technical networking). For most people, you only need to change the Computer Name — it's the one that shows up in Finder and on your network.
The Local Hostname is set automatically based on your Computer Name and rarely needs to be changed. If you're a developer or system administrator and need to change it, you can do that through Terminal, but it's not necessary for everyday use. Stick with changing the Computer Name in System Settings unless you have a specific technical reason to go deeper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my computer name affect my files or passwords?
No. Your computer name is only a network identifier. Your login password, user account, files, and applications remain exactly the same. You can change the name back anytime without losing anything.
Can I use spaces or special characters in my computer name?
Spaces are allowed but can cause problems on some older network devices. Special characters like @, /, or \ will break file sharing. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores for the most reliable results.
What if I can't find the Edit button next to Computer Name?
You may not have administrator permissions on your account. Ask the person who set up the Mac to log in and make the change, or check System Settings > General > Users & Groups to confirm your account type.
Do I need to restart my Mac after changing the name?
No. The new name takes effect when ready. Your Mac will update its network presence within a few seconds, though it may take up to a minute for other devices to see the new name.
What's the difference between Computer Name and WiFi network name?
Your Computer Name is what your Mac is called on the network. Your WiFi network name (SSID) is what you see when you look for available networks to connect to. They're separate settings — changing one doesn't affect the other.