How to Change the Name of Your Mac Computer (Hostname)

When you first purchase and set up a new Mac, Apple automatically generates a default name for the device based on your iCloud account, such as “John’s MacBook Pro” or “iMac.” This is the exact name that broadcasts publicly when you try to use AirDrop, connect to a shared Wi-Fi network, or pair Bluetooth headphones. If you buy a second-hand Mac or simply want a more private, professional name for your machine, you can easily change the computer’s hostname in the System Settings.

How to Rename Your Mac

You can change your computer’s broadcast name at any time without affecting your user files or Apple ID.

1. Click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Settings… from the dropdown menu (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
3. In the left-hand sidebar, click on General.
4. On the right side of the window, click on About.
5. Look for the very first text box labelled Name.
6. Double-click the current name, delete it, and type your new desired name (e.g., “Office MacBook” or “Studio Mac”).
7. Press the Return key to instantly save the change.

Your Mac will immediately begin broadcasting this new name. If your iPhone is sitting nearby, you should instantly see the new name appear in your AirDrop sharing menu.

Changing the Local Hostname (Terminal Name)

While the step above changes the public-facing name, your Mac also has a “local hostname” that is used by network administrators and terminal applications. If you want everything to match perfectly:

1. Stay in the General > About menu.
2. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page.
3. Look for the section labelled Local Hostname (it will look something like johns-macbook-pro.local).
4. Click the Edit… button next to it.
5. Type a new, simplified name without spaces (e.g., officemac.local) and click OK.