Your Mac computer has a name that's more than just an identifier. It's part of your digital identity, helping you distinguish your device and personalize your computing experience. But have you ever wondered how to change your Mac's name? MacBook Yours? If yes, this guide is for you.
Your Mac's name isn't just a technical designation; it's a practical and personal choice. There are several compelling reasons to rename your Mac. But one of the most prominent is that the default name assigned to your Mac may reveal sensitive information, such as the owner's name or the model of your computer. Therefore, you can change the name to protect your personal information.
Things to Know Before Changing the Computer Name on a MAC
Before you begin changing your computer name on your Mac, here are some basic things to know:
- You'll need administrative access to change the computer name. Make sure you have the necessary permissions.
- If your Mac is signed in with an Apple ID and uses iCloud services, changing the computer name may affect these services. It's a good idea to sign out of your Apple ID, change the name, and sign in again to ensure seamless integration.
- Changing your computer name typically requires a system reboot for the changes to fully take effect. Plan a reasonable time for this reboot to avoid interrupting your workflow.
By taking these factors into consideration, you can change your computer name on your Mac while minimizing any potential complications or disruptions to your workflow.
Method 1: Find your MACBOOK's name and change it using Settings
Changing the name of your MacBook or any other macOS device is easy. Let's start with the steps for users using the latest version of macOS.
On macOS Ventura and later
Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner, and from the drop-down menu, select System Settings.
Step 2: in system configuration, Go to general.
Step 3: within general, Choose around.
This will take you to a page. "About" On your Mac. Here, you'll see some great details about your Mac's internal specifications and other details, including the device name.
Step 4: tap on The name.
Step 5: When you see the cursor, edit the name or type a new one. Once done, tap Return key On the keyboard to save.
Step 6: Finally, finish. system configuration.
That's it. The new name will be reflected everywhere on your Mac. If you encounter any problems, try restarting your Mac once; it should resolve the issue. However, if you're using an older version of macOS, read on.
On macOS Monterey or earlier
Step 1: Click on the icon Apple In the upper left corner, from the drop-down menu, select System Preferences.
Step 2: in system configuration, Go to Participation.
Step 3: Click the text box at the top next to the computer name, and edit or type the new name.
Once you've changed your computer name, you can exit System Preferences and continue with your work. If you don't want to go through a long set of steps but want a simple, one-step process to change the computer name on your MacBook or any other Mac, check out the following method.
Method 2: Change the computer name on a MAC using Terminal
If you're comfortable using the command line, you can use Mac's Terminal app to set or change your computer name in macOS. Follow the instructions below.
Step 1: Click on “Command + Space key” On the keyboard, type Terminal, Then press the key Return.
Step 2: Once opened Terminal, Type the command below and press the key. Return on the keyboard.
Note: Replace YourNewComputerName with the name you want to assign.
sudo scutil –set ComputerName "YourNewComputerName"
You'll be asked to enter your Mac's passcode, and you'll have it. Your computer's name has been successfully changed. Keep reading if you want to change your Mac's username.
How to change username on Mac
This method is similar to changing your computer name on a MacBook, or rather on macOS. However, note that a Mac user's display name can be changed, but the username that identifies that user remains the same.
Let's start with the steps for Macs running macOS Ventura or later.
On macOS Ventura or later
Step 1: Click on the icon Apple In the upper left corner and select system configuration from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: in system configuration, Go to Users and Groups
You'll see a list of users who have an account on your macOS device.
Step 3: Right click on the user whose name you want to change and choose Advanced Options.
Step 4: In the pop-up window, enter Administrator password and click the . button Unlock.
Before moving on to the next step, it is important to note that changing things without knowing it can prevent you from accessing your computer.
Step 5: In the form, click the text box next to Full Name and enter New name Or change it.
There you go. The username you changed will be reflected throughout your Mac.
On macOS Monterey or earlier
Step 1: Click on the icon Apple In the upper left corner, from the drop-down menu, select System Preferences.
Step 2: In System Settings, go to Users and Groups
Step 3: Click on the lock at the bottom and type Administrator password To change things.
Here, you can see the names of users who have an account on your macOS device.
Step 4: Right click on the user whose name you want to change and choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: Click the text box next to Full Name, and enter New name Or change it, then click OK.
There you go. You've successfully changed the username you want on your Mac. Check out the next method if you want to change your Mac's hostname.
How to Change the Host Name of Your MAC
Changing your Mac's hostname changes how your Mac is identified on a local network, which is slightly different from your computer name. Essentially, you can have a different computer name and host name.
Let's start with the steps for Macs running macOS Ventura and later.
On macOS Ventura and later
Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner, and from the drop-down menu, select System Settings.
Step 2: in system configuration, Go to general.
Step 3: Within a year, choose to share.
Step 5: In the pop-up window, type a name. New host Or edit the current name and click OK.
That's it. You've successfully changed the hostname of your Mac.
On macOS Monterey or earlier
Step 1: Click on the icon Apple In the upper left corner, from the drop-down menu, select System Preferences.
Step 2: Choose Participation.
Step 3: In the form, click "Release".
Step 4: Type your new host name or edit the existing one and click "OK" To save.
There you go. You've changed your Mac's hostname without any issues. If you can't change the name, try restarting or Contact macOS Support To solve the problem.
Frequently asked questions about renaming your MacBook
Q1. Will changing the computer name affect my files or data on my Mac?
The answer: No, changing your computer name doesn't affect your files or data. It's a cosmetic change that only changes the name by which your Mac is identified on networks.
Q2. Can I use spaces or special characters in my Mac's name?
The answer: It is recommended to use letters, numbers, and hyphens without spaces or special characters in your computer name to avoid potential network compatibility issues.
Q3. Can I change my computer name whenever I want?
The answer: Yes, you can change your computer's name whenever you want. However, it's a good idea to choose a name that works for you for a while, as frequent changes can be confusing.
Q4. Can I revert to my original Mac name after changing it?
The answer: Yes, you can revert to the original computer name of your Mac by following the same process and entering the original name.
Personalize your Mac
Now that you know how to change your MacBook's name, you can easily rebrand your Mac for security reasons, network convenience, or simply for the fun of customization. You may also want to read How to Enable Night Shift on Mac.
