How to Change the Name of Your MacBook

Renaming your MacBook is one of those small tweaks that makes a surprisingly big difference — especially if you use multiple Apple devices, share files over a network, or rely on AirDrop, Bluetooth, or iCloud. Your MacBook's name shows up in a lot of places, and the default name Apple assigns (usually something like "John's MacBook Pro") isn't always what you want the world to see.

Here's exactly how it works, where the name appears, and what to consider before you change it.

What Does "MacBook Name" Actually Mean?

Your MacBook has a computer name — a human-readable label that identifies it across Apple services and local networks. This is different from a hostname or Bonjour name (though those are related), and it's the name that appears when:

• Other devices look for your Mac on a local Wi-Fi network
• You use AirDrop to send or receive files
• Your Mac shows up in Finder's sidebar on another Mac
• You connect via Bluetooth from a phone or tablet
• Your Mac appears in your iCloud device list
• You use Screen Sharing or remote access tools

Apple ties several naming layers together under the hood. When you change your computer name, macOS typically updates the local hostname (used for network identification) and Bonjour name (used for device discovery) automatically. You can also adjust those independently if needed.

How to Change Your MacBook's Name 🖥️

Method 1: Using System Settings (macOS Ventura and Later)

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner
2. Select System Settings
3. Click General in the sidebar
4. Select Sharing
5. At the top of the Sharing panel, you'll see a field labeled Local Hostname — click the Edit button next to it
6. Update the Computer Name field at the very top of the Sharing pane

Your new name takes effect immediately. No restart required.

Method 2: Using System Preferences (macOS Monterey and Earlier)

1. Click the Apple menu
2. Open System Preferences
3. Click Sharing
4. At the top of the window, find the Computer Name field
5. Click into it, clear the existing name, and type your new one

Again, the change is instant.

Method 3: Changing the Local Hostname Separately

If you want more control — for example, if you're on a corporate network or running services that reference your Mac by hostname — you can edit the local hostname independently.

In the Sharing panel (either System Settings or System Preferences), look for the Local Hostname field below the Computer Name. This is the machine's name on the local network with .local appended (e.g., johns-macbook-pro.local). Click Edit to change it.

Keep local hostnames lowercase and use hyphens instead of spaces — this is a DNS convention that prevents issues on some networks.

Method 4: Via Terminal

For users comfortable with the command line, you can change the computer name and hostname directly: