How to Change Your Computer's Name on a Mac

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Last Updated: June 16, 2023 Tested

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This wikiHow teaches you how to change the name of your computer (also called the “host name”) in macOS.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Changing the Name of your Mac

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Click the

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menu. It’s at the top-left corner of the screen.
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It’s near the top of the menu.

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It’s the blue folder icon with a diamond-shaped street sign inside.
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The name of the computer is now updated.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Showing Your Mac on the Finder Sidebar

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From the Finder menu, select Finder Preferences...
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In the Finder Preferences window, press Sidebar at the top. Under Devices , locate your Mac icon (it's the one with the name you just set).
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Check any other devices or servers you want to appear in the sidebar, and then close the window. Your Mac should now appear in the Finder's sidebar.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do you create a password for a Macbook?

Community Answer

Go to System Preferences. Go to Security & Privacy (gray house icon). Click on "Change Password..." Don't type anything in the "Old Password". Enter your new password in "New Password". Verify it by re-entering it. A password hint will show up. Choose your hint. Then click "Change Password".

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Question

How do I change the name of my home folder in the finder?

Community Answer

You can't do that because it would involve all the directories of every file being changed to the new home folder. Your best bet would be to back-up your data, create another account, and then install all the backed up files on the new account.

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Question

How can I remove an old Apple ID from a Macbook?

Community Answer

You would have to go into the Settings and log out of that user's account. Afterward, you would need to remove the account and then log into your new account.

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Tips

A standard name may look like "Steve Jobs' MacBook." Just personalize this with your own name.

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Warnings

Don't use apostrophe (') as in many cases question mark (?) is displayed.

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Don't set a name you'll regret later on, just in case you forget this process.

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Things You'll Need

A Mac

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How to Change Your Computer's Name on a Mac

Steps

Changing the Name of your Mac

Showing Your Mac on the Finder Sidebar

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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