Change Your Mac's Name Through System Settings

You can change your Mac's computer name in System Settings in about two minutes. Open System Settings, go to General, then click About. You'll see a field labeled "Computer Name" at the top — click it, type your new name, and press Enter. The change takes effect when ready, though some network services may take a few minutes to recognize the new name.

Your Mac actually has two names that work differently. The computer name is what appears in Finder and on your network — this is what you see in System Settings > General > About. The local hostname is used by Terminal and network services and is set separately. For most people, changing the computer name in System Settings is all you need to do.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, click General, then About to find the Computer Name field at the top of the window.
  • Click the Computer Name field, delete the old name, type your new name, and press Enter to save the change when ready.
  • Your Mac has two names — the computer name (visible in Finder) and the local hostname (used by Terminal) — and you can change each one separately.
  • If you use file sharing or AirDrop with other devices, they may take a few minutes to recognize your Mac's new name on the network.
  • You do not need to restart your Mac after changing the computer name, though restarting can help network services update faster.

Step-by-Step Instructions for System Settings

Start by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, click General. At the top of the main panel, you'll see a section labeled About with your current computer name displayed in a field.

Click directly on the computer name text to select it. The field will become editable — the text will highlight in blue. Delete the old name by pressing Command+A to select all, then type your new name. Keep the name to 63 characters or fewer and use only letters, numbers, and hyphens (no spaces or special characters, though macOS will accept spaces). Once you've typed the new name, press Enter. The change saves when ready and the System Settings window will close the editing field.

Your Mac will now use the new name in Finder, on AirDrop, and when connecting to shared networks. If you're sharing files with other computers or using AirDrop, those devices may show the old name for a few minutes — they'll update once they refresh their network list, usually within five minutes.

Changing the Local Hostname in Terminal

If you use Terminal or need to change the local hostname (the name your Mac uses for network services and command-line tools), you'll need to open Terminal and enter a command. The local hostname is different from the computer name and rarely needs to be changed unless you're setting up a server or troubleshooting network issues.

Open Terminal (find it in Applications > Utilities or search for it with Spotlight). Type this command exactly: sudo scutil --set LocalHostName NewName, replacing "NewName" with what you want. Press Enter, then type your Mac password when prompted (you won't see the characters as you type — this is normal). Press Enter again. The local hostname changes when ready.

You can verify the change worked by typing hostname in Terminal and pressing Enter. It will display your new local hostname. This change does not affect what appears in Finder or System Settings — it only changes the name used by Terminal and network services.

What Happens When You Change Your Mac's Name

When you change the computer name in System Settings, your Mac updates its identity on your local network. If you use AirDrop, file sharing, or screen sharing with other Macs or iOS devices, they will see the new name. Printers and smart home devices that connect to your Mac may also recognize the new name, though some older devices may need to be re-added to your network.

If your Mac is part of a workplace network with a directory server, changing the computer name may cause issues with network login or file access. Check with your IT department before changing the name on a work Mac. For personal Macs on home networks, the change is straightforward and rarely causes problems.

Cloud services like iCloud and email accounts remain connected to your Apple ID, not your computer name, so changing the name does not affect those services. Backup software, cloud storage, and other apps continue to work normally after a name change.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is using spaces or special characters in the computer name. While macOS will accept spaces, they can cause problems with some network services and older devices. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens only — for example, use "MacBook-Pro" instead of "MacBook Pro" or "MacBook_Pro".

Another mistake is changing the local hostname without meaning to. If you only want to change what appears in Finder and on your network, use System Settings — do not use Terminal. Terminal commands change the local hostname, which is a different name used by network services and command-line tools.

Some people restart their Mac when ready after changing the name, thinking the change won't take effect otherwise. This is unnecessary — the change is active right away. However, restarting can help if network devices are slow to recognize the new name.

Renaming a Mac Shared by Multiple Users

If your Mac is used by multiple people with different user accounts, only an administrator account can change the computer name. If you're not logged in as an administrator, System Settings will ask for an administrator password when you try to edit the computer name field. Type the password and the change will go through.

The computer name applies to the entire Mac, not to individual user accounts. All users will see the new name in Finder and on the network, regardless of which account is logged in. Each user can still have their own home folder and personal files.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The computer name change takes effect when ready in System Settings. However, if other devices on your network are slow to recognize the new name, restarting your Mac can speed up the process. Network devices usually update within a few minutes on their own.

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

macOS will accept spaces, but they can cause problems with some network services and older printers or devices. Use only letters, numbers, and hyphens — for example, "iMac-Studio" instead of "iMac Studio". This avoids compatibility issues.

What's the difference between computer name and local hostname?

The computer name is what you see in Finder and on your network — it's the friendly name for your Mac. The local hostname is used by Terminal and network services behind the scenes. Most people only need to change the computer name in System Settings.

Will changing my Mac's name affect my iCloud account or email?

No. Your iCloud account and email are tied to your Apple ID, not your computer name. Changing the name does not affect cloud services, backups, or email. All your accounts remain connected and working normally.

What if I can't edit the computer name field?

You may not have administrator permissions on your account. Click the lock icon at the bottom of the System Settings window, enter an administrator password, and try again. If you don't know the administrator password, you'll need to contact whoever set up the Mac.