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On a MacBook Air, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > About, select the current computer name, and type the new name. If you want to change the Mac’s network-facing local hostname instead, that is a separate control in System Settings > General > Sharing.
Change the computer name
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- In the sidebar, select General, then About. Scroll down the sidebar if General is not visible.
- Select the current computer name, type the name you want, and confirm the change by pressing Return if prompted.
Apple’s Mac instructions specify selecting the current name and typing a new one; the same workflow applies to MacBook Air. This changes the computer name, not your macOS user account or home-folder name. Apple Support: Change your computer’s name or local hostname on Mac.
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Change the local hostname instead
If your goal is to change the Mac’s identifier used by Bonjour-compatible services on your local network, edit the local hostname separately:
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- Open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Sharing.
- Find Local hostname and select Edit.
- Enter the hostname you want and save the change in the dialog.
Apple describes the local hostname as the computer name with .local added and spaces replaced by hyphens. For example, “My Computer” becomes My-Computer.local. Local hostnames are not case-sensitive. Apple Support: Find your computer’s name and network address on Mac.
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Computer name, local hostname, and network address
| Identifier | Where to find or change it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Computer name | System Settings > General > About | Identifies the Mac; can help others find it when screen or file sharing is enabled. |
| Local hostname | System Settings > General > Sharing | Identifies the Mac to Bonjour-compatible services on the local network; typically appears with the .local suffix. |
| Network address | Shown for a particular sharing service in Sharing settings | Used to reach a service such as file sharing or screen sharing. It is distinct from the computer name. |
Change only the identifier that matches what you are trying to do. Apple notes that a duplicate computer name on the local network can cause a number to be added to the local network name. If Bonjour does not recognize the computer name, the local network name is Macintosh.local. For shared services, another person may need the service’s network address rather than the computer name. Apple Support: Find your computer’s name and network address on Mac.
If the setting is unavailable
Some Sharing settings may be unavailable when a Mac is enrolled in a device-management service. If this is a work- or school-managed Mac and the Local hostname control is missing or disabled, contact your organization’s administrator. Apple Support: Change Sharing settings on Mac.
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