Open System Settings (Ventura or later) or System Preferences (Monterey and earlier) via the Apple menu. 2. On newer macOS, go to General > About, click the current name, enter a new one, press Enter, then ensure Sharing settings update accordingly; on older versions, go to Sharing and edit the Computer Name field directly. 3. The new name appears on networks, AirDrop, file sharing, screen sharing, and Time Machine backups, but differs from Apple ID and user account name; for terminal hostname changes, use sudo scutil --set HostName "NewHostName". 4. Use simple characters, avoid special symbols, keep it recognizable, and follow network naming rules if applicable—no restart is needed, and the change is immediate.

Changing the computer name on your Mac is simple and useful—especially if you're on a network, using AirDrop, or just want a more personal label. Here's how to do it.

1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences)

• On macOS Ventura (13) and later: Click the Apple menu (?) > System Settings.
• On older versions (macOS Monterey or earlier): Click ? > System Preferences.

Note: The interface changed slightly starting with Ventura, so the steps vary a bit depending on your macOS version.

2. Find the Name & Sharing Settings

If you're on macOS Ventura or later:

• In System Settings, click General in the sidebar.
• Scroll down and select About.
• You’ll see your current Name under the "About This Mac" section. Click the name.
• A text field will appear—edit it to your desired computer name (e.g., "Sarah’s MacBook").
• Press Enter to save.

Now, go to System Settings > General > Sharing and make sure the Computer Name field updates automatically. If not, manually change it there too.

If you're on macOS Monterey or earlier:

• Open System Preferences.
• Click Sharing.
• At the top, you’ll see a field labeled Computer Name.
• Click in the field and type your new name.
• Close the window when done.

The change takes effect immediately—no restart needed.

3. What the Computer Name Affects

The name you set shows up in several places:

• On your local network (e.g., when others see your Mac in Finder sidebar)
• In AirDrop and File Sharing
• When connecting via Screen Sharing or SSH
• In Time Machine backups (e.g., "Sarah’s MacBook Backup")

?? Note: This is different from your Apple ID, user account name, or hostname (though they often match by default). If you need to change the terminal hostname (what shows in Terminal prompt), use this command in Terminal:

sudo scutil --set HostName "NewHostName"

But for most users, changing the name in System Settings/Preferences is enough.

Quick Tips

• Use letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens. Avoid special characters like /, :, or @.
• Keep it recognizable but not too long.
• If on a shared network (office/school), check naming policies.

That’s it—your Mac will now show the new name across devices and services. Basically just a quick edit, but it makes your setup feel more personal.

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