Change your MacBook name through System Settings

Your MacBook's name appears when you connect to Wi-Fi networks, share files with other computers, and show up in AirDrop. You can change it in System Settings in under a minute. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're running macOS Ventura, Sonoma, or an older version, but the location is the same.

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock or Applications folder). Click General in the left sidebar, then click About. At the top, you'll see "Computer Name" with your current name displayed. Click the Edit button next to it, type your new name, and press Enter. The change takes effect immediately.

If you're running macOS Monterey or earlier, the process is nearly identical: open System Preferences instead of System Settings, click Sharing in the sidebar, and you'll see "Computer Name" at the top of the window. Type your new name directly into that field, and it updates when you click outside the box.

Key Takeaways

  • Your MacBook's computer name is found in System Settings > General > About on newer macOS versions, or System Preferences > Sharing on older versions.
  • The name you set here is what appears to other devices on your network and in AirDrop, so choose something you'll recognize.
  • Changes take effect immediately without restarting your Mac.
  • You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens in your computer name, but avoid special characters like @ or & that can cause connection problems.
  • If you share your Mac with other users, only the account holder with administrator access can change the computer name.

What the computer name actually controls

The computer name is different from your user account name. Your user account name is what appears on the login screen and in the top-right corner of your menu bar. The computer name is the identity your Mac uses on networks — it's what shows up when you're browsing shared files, connecting to printers, or using AirDrop with nearby devices.

When you change the computer name, it doesn't affect your files, passwords, or any settings tied to your user account. It's purely a label for your device on the network. If you're on a work network, your IT department may have set a specific naming convention, so check with them before changing it.

Naming conventions that avoid problems

While macOS accepts most characters, some can cause issues when your Mac connects to certain networks or printers. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens. Avoid special characters like @, &, *, /, or backslashes — these can confuse network devices or cause connection failures.

Keep the name under 63 characters, though shorter names are easier to spot on a network. If you share your Mac with family or colleagues, choose a name that makes sense to everyone — something like "Kitchen Mac" or "Sarah's MacBook" is clearer than a random string of numbers.

Changing the name on older macOS versions

If you're running macOS Big Sur, Monterey, or earlier, the steps are slightly different. Open System Preferences (not System Settings), then click Sharing in the sidebar. The "Computer Name" field is at the top of the window. Type your new name directly into the field, and the change saves automatically when you click elsewhere or close the window.

You can also see the "Local Hostname" field below the computer name, which is used for network connections like SSH or file sharing. You can edit this too, but most people don't need to — the computer name is what matters for everyday use.

When you need administrator access

If your Mac is set up with multiple user accounts, only someone with administrator privileges can change the computer name. If you try to edit it and the field won't respond, you're logged in as a standard user. Ask the administrator to make the change, or have them grant you administrator access in System Settings > General > Users & Groups (or System Preferences > Users & Groups on older versions).

If you're the only user and you've forgotten your password, you'll need to reset it through your Apple ID before you can access the settings to change the computer name.

Troubleshooting if the name won't change

If you type a new name but it reverts to the old one, the most common cause is that you don't have administrator access. Close System Settings completely and reopen it to confirm the change didn't actually save. If it still shows the old name, you'll need to log in as an administrator.

If you see an error message about the name being invalid, you've likely used a special character that macOS doesn't allow. Delete any @, *, /, or backslash characters and try again. If the name contains only numbers or is extremely long, try shortening it or adding letters.

How the computer name affects AirDrop and file sharing

When you use AirDrop to send files to another Mac or iPhone, the receiving device shows your computer name so the other person knows who's sending the file. If your computer name is generic or unclear, they may not recognize it. Changing it to something personal makes it obvious which device is yours.

The same applies to file sharing over a local network. If you enable file sharing in System Settings > General > Sharing, other computers on your network will see your Mac listed under the computer name you've set. This is why a descriptive name like "Living Room Mac" or "Office iMac" is more useful than the default "MacBook-1234".

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my computer name affect my Apple ID or iCloud?

No. Your computer name and your Apple ID are completely separate. Changing the computer name won't log you out of iCloud, affect your backups, or change any of your account settings. Your Mac will continue syncing with iCloud normally.

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

Yes, anytime. Go back to System Settings > General > About (or System Preferences > Sharing on older versions), click Edit, and type the old name. There's no limit to how many times you can change it.

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

The computer name is what appears in Finder and on networks for regular users. The local hostname is used for technical connections like SSH or remote access. For everyday use, you only need to change the computer name. The hostname updates automatically when you change the computer name.

If I change the computer name, will other people's Macs still see my shared files?

Yes. If you've already set up file sharing, other Macs will continue to see your shared folders even after you change the name. They'll just see it listed under the new name instead of the old one.

Can I use emoji or non-English characters in my computer name?

macOS technically allows some emoji and accented characters, but they can cause problems with older printers, network devices, or when connecting to certain corporate networks. Stick with standard letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens to avoid compatibility issues.