How to change name of your Mac computer

This article will show you how to change name of your Mac computer. The vast majority of us probably haven’t given much thought to the possibility of changing the name displayed on your Mac or MacBook. When many of us buy our first computer, we don’t give much thought to the name of the device and instead just let macOS choose it for us. Although renaming your MacBook might seem like a simple task, the decision actually carries more weight than you might realize at first. When sharing files or connecting to a network, the name you give to your Mac acts as its individual identifier.

On the other hand, there are some circumstances in which continuing to use the Mac’s factory default name could prove to be inconvenient. For instance, in a setting where there is shared access to Wi-Fi or in a household where there is more than one MacBook, it is simple to become perplexed by the automatically generated and generic names, such as ‘MacBook Pro.‘ Changing the name of your MacBook not only gives it a more personalized feel, but it also helps to differentiate and, as a result, identify each individual device and network.

This is in addition to the fact that it gives your device a more distinctive identity. Changing your MacBook’s name profile is a good idea for a variety of reasons, but it is especially important if you use AirDrop or Bluetooth accessories. Having a name for your Mac that is easy to remember will make the entire process go much more smoothly. We will show you how to rename your Macbook so that it is easier to identify, how to change the name of your Macbook so that it is more fun, and how to change name of your Mac computer.

How to change your Macbook name in macOS Ventura or later

1. Choose Settings for your system by going to the Apple menu.
2. Choose General from the menu on the left.
3. Choose the About tab.
4. Place the cursor on your name, then delete the one that is already there and type in the new one.
5. To save your changes, click somewhere else on the screen.
6. Your first name will be used as the default computer name whenever you use a Mac.

How to change the local hostname on your MacBook

1. Select General from the System Settings menu under the Apple menu.
2. Simply select the Sharing tab.
3. Click the Edit button that’s next to your local hostname.
4. After entering the new name, click the OK button.

How to change your Mac’s username 

Change the home folder name

1. Choose Sign Out from the drop-down menu under the Apple menu.
2. You need to log in using an admin account.
3. Launch the Finder. Choose Go from the navigation bar’s options.
4. Choose to Open in New Folder.
5. In the search field, type /Users, and then hit the return key on your keyboard.
6. Simply select the user folder that you want to rename and click on it.
7. After hitting the return key, type the new username in lowercase letters only, with no spaces or capitalization.
8. Please validate your identity by providing the password.

Change your Admin name or any user account name

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu that appears after you click it.
2. Select Users & Groups from the menu located in the sidebar.
3. While holding down the Control key, click on the account whose name you wish to change.
4. Select the Advanced Options button.
5. Use the password that is set up for your Mac to authenticate the access.
6. In the field labeled “Username,” type the name you used when accessing the home folder. You also have the option to change the Full name, and contrary to popular belief, it does not have to be the same as the username.
7. Select the folder that corresponds to your username by clicking the Choose button located under the Home directory. Pick the Open option.
8. To confirm, click the OK button.

Why might you want to change the name of your Mac computer?

1. Personalization: Changing the name of your Mac allows you to give it a unique and personalized identity. You can choose a name that reflects your personality or interests.
2. Organization: If you have multiple Mac devices on the same network, giving them distinct names can help you easily identify and manage them. This is especially useful in a home or office environment with multiple computers.
3. Privacy: Some users prefer not to reveal their personal name or information in their computer’s hostname. Changing the name can help enhance privacy and security.
4. Clarity: A clear and descriptive name can make it easier to locate and connect to your Mac on a network. This is particularly important if you frequently share files or resources between devices.
5. Troubleshooting: If you encounter network or connectivity issues, a unique and easily identifiable computer name can assist in troubleshooting by ensuring you’re working with the correct device.
6. Fun or Creativity: Some users change their computer’s name for fun or to add a touch of creativity to their digital experience.

What happens when you change your username on Mac?

1. Unable to login: If you don’t set the new username with proper settings, it may deny accessing the user account.  
2. File access issues: Some files and folders may still contain references to your old username, causing permission issues and difficulties accessing your files. 
3. Application incompatibility: Certain applications may rely on your username for file paths or configurations. So, changing your username could disrupt these settings. 
4. Permissions and ownership: Your username is tied to file permissions and ownership. Renaming incorrectly may cause difficulties with accessing or modifying files and folders. 
5. User settings: User-specific settings and preferences, such as desktop wallpaper and customized preferences, may hamper. Then you need to reconfigure these settings manually. 
6. System stability: In rare cases, changing your username may have unintended consequences, leading to system instability or conflicts with certain system processes.  

Conclusion

Your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, or Mac mini has a default computer name that was assigned to it at the time you purchased the device. The vast majority of you may choose to ignore it because it appears that the Mac name is irrelevant. In point of fact, the Mac computer name is required for a variety of tasks, including network connection, AirDrop file sharing between devices, and others. Particularly the Mac computers in the immediate vicinity have the same computer name as you do.

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