Change your Mac name through System Settings in under a minute

Your Mac has a name — the one that appears in Finder, on your network, and when you share files. You can change it whenever you want, and it takes about 30 seconds. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), find the General or Sharing section depending on your macOS version, and type a new name into the "Computer Name" field. The change takes effect when ready.

The name you choose matters most if you share files over a network, use AirDrop with other people, or want your Mac to be straightforward to identify when you're troubleshooting. It does not affect how your Mac runs or what software you can use. You can change it back anytime.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac name lives in System Settings under General (macOS Ventura and newer) or Sharing (macOS Monterey and older).
  • The name can be up to 63 characters and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but spaces and special characters sometimes cause problems on networks.
  • Changing the name takes effect right away and does not require a restart or affect any of your files or programs.
  • If you share files with others or use AirDrop, they will see the new name the next time they look for your Mac on the network.

Where to find the Computer Name setting on your Mac

The location depends on which version of macOS you have. On macOS Ventura (released in 2022) and newer, open System Settings from the Apple menu, click General in the sidebar, and look for "About" at the top of the panel. You will see "Computer Name" listed there with an edit button next to it.

On macOS Monterey (2021) and older, open System Preferences from the Apple menu, click Sharing, and you will see "Computer Name" at the top of the window. The process is the same — click the field and type the new name.

If you are not sure which 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 that opens.

What name to choose and what to avoid

Pick something you will recognize and that describes the Mac — "Sarah's MacBook," "Kitchen iMac," or "Work Mac" are all clear choices. You can use letters, numbers, and hyphens. Avoid spaces and special characters like apostrophes, periods, or symbols, because some network devices and older printers do not handle them well and may have trouble finding your Mac.

The name can be up to 63 characters long, but shorter is usually better — it is easier to type if you ever need to connect to your Mac from another computer. If you share your Mac with other people, choose a neutral name rather than a personal one, since everyone on the network will see it.

How the name change affects file sharing and AirDrop

When you change your Mac name, anyone trying to share files with you or use AirDrop will see the new name the next time they look for your Mac. If someone has already bookmarked your Mac as a shared computer, they may need to remove the old bookmark and add the new one, depending on how they set it up.

If you use your Mac as a shared drive on a network at work or home, changing the name will not disconnect anyone currently using it — they will stay connected until they log out. The next time they try to connect, they will need to use the new name.

Changing the local hostname if you connect to a network

Your Mac actually has two names: the Computer Name (the one you see in Finder and on AirDrop) and the local hostname (the one used on your network behind the scenes). For most people, changing the Computer Name is all you need to do. The hostname updates automatically.

If you use Terminal or connect to your Mac remotely over SSH, you may want to change the hostname separately. Open Terminal (in Applications > Utilities), type sudo scutil --set HostName NewName (replacing NewName with what you want), and press Enter. You will need to enter your password. This is optional and only necessary if you work with command line tools or remote connections.

Troubleshooting if the name will not change or does not stick

If you type a new name and it reverts to the old one, restart your Mac and try again. Sometimes a background process locks the setting temporarily. If the name still will not change, check that you have administrator access on your Mac — you may need to enter your password when you click the edit button.

If the name contains special characters and your Mac rejected it, delete those characters and use only letters, numbers, and hyphens. If you are still stuck, restart your Mac and try a simpler name like "MyMac" to rule out a character issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Mac name affect my Apple ID or iCloud?

No. Your Apple ID and iCloud account are separate from your Mac name. Changing the name does not log you out, affect your files in iCloud, or change anything about your account. Your Mac will still sync with iCloud normally.

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

Yes, anytime. Go back to System Settings or System Preferences, find the Computer Name field, and type the old name. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.

Will changing my Mac name break any of my programs or files?

No. Your programs, files, and settings stay exactly the same. The name is just a label that appears on your network and in Finder. Nothing inside your Mac depends on it.

What if I share my Mac with other people — will they see the name change?

Yes, everyone who uses the Mac will see the new name in Finder and on the network. If you share the Mac with family or coworkers, let them know you changed it so they are not confused when they see a different name.