Change your MacBook's name in System Settings

Your MacBook has a computer name that appears in Finder, on your network, and when you share files. You can change it anytime through System Settings without affecting your files or accounts. The process takes about two minutes.

Open System Settings and go to General, then About. At the top, you'll see "Computer Name" — click the Edit button next to it, type your new name, and click Done. The change takes effect immediately, though some network services may take a few minutes to update.

Choose a name with letters, numbers, and hyphens only. Avoid spaces and special characters like @ or &, which can cause problems with file sharing and network connections. If you try to use unsupported characters, macOS will reject them and ask you to try again.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer name is found in System Settings > General > About, where you can edit it directly without restarting.
  • Use only letters, numbers, and hyphens in your computer name to avoid network and file-sharing problems.
  • The name change takes effect immediately, though networked devices may take a few minutes to recognize the new name.
  • Changing your computer name does not affect your user account, files, or any installed software.

What the computer name controls

Your computer name appears in several places. In Finder, it shows at the top of the sidebar under "Locations." On your Wi-Fi network, other devices see this name when browsing shared files. If you use AirDrop, Handoff, or screen sharing, the name helps other Macs and iPhones identify your device.

The computer name is separate from your user account name (the name of your home folder) and your iCloud account name. Changing the computer name does not change any of those, and you can change it as often as you want without losing anything.

Why you might want to change it

Many people change their computer name to something more descriptive when they have multiple Macs — for example, "James-MacBook-Work" and "James-MacBook-Home" instead of the default "James's MacBook Pro." This makes it easier to find the right device when using AirDrop or screen sharing.

You might also change it if you inherited a used Mac and want to remove the previous owner's name, or if the default name is too long or contains characters that cause problems on your network.

Changing the local hostname (for advanced users)

Your computer name is what you see in System Settings. Behind the scenes, your Mac also has a "local hostname" used for network connections — usually something like "james-macbook-pro.local." Most people never need to change this, but if you're setting up file sharing or remote access, you might want them to match.

To change the local hostname, open Terminal (in Applications > Utilities) and type: sudo scutil --set LocalHostName newname, replacing "newname" with what you want. You'll need to enter your password. Use the same naming rules as the computer name — letters, numbers, and hyphens only, no spaces.

After you change the local hostname, restart your Mac for the change to take full effect on your network.

What happens when you rename your Mac on a network

If your Mac is on a shared network at home or work, other devices will recognize the new name within a few minutes. If you're using file sharing and someone has your old computer name bookmarked, they'll need to update it to connect again — the old name will stop working.

If your Mac is part of a work network managed by your IT department, check with them before changing the computer name. Some organizations use specific naming conventions or have settings that prevent changes.

Renaming a Mac that's part of your iCloud family

If you use Family Sharing or have multiple Macs linked to the same iCloud account, changing the computer name on one Mac does not affect the others. Each Mac keeps its own name. In the Find My app, your devices will show their computer names, so renaming them there makes it easier to tell them apart if you need to locate a lost device.

Your iCloud account name and the computer name are completely separate. Changing one does not change the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my computer name affect my files or passwords?

No. Your files, passwords, and all your data stay exactly where they are. The computer name is just a label that identifies your Mac on a network and in Finder. Changing it does not touch anything on your drive.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my computer name?

macOS will not let you use spaces or most special characters like @, &, or %. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens. If you try to use an unsupported character, the system will reject it and ask you to edit the name again.

Why doesn't my iPhone see my Mac's new name right away?

Network devices sometimes take a few minutes to recognize a renamed Mac. If your iPhone still shows the old name after five minutes, try turning Wi-Fi off and back on, or restart your iPhone. The new name should appear after that.

What if I want to change my user account name instead?

Your user account name (the name of your home folder) is different from your computer name. Changing your account name is more complicated and requires creating a new administrator account first. Most people just change the computer name, which is much simpler and serves the same purpose for most uses.

Can I change my computer name from a different Mac on the same network?

No. You have to change the name on the Mac itself, using its own System Settings. You cannot change another Mac's name remotely, even if you're logged into the same iCloud account.