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To change your MacBook Air’s computer name, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > About, select the current computer name, and type the new one. If you mean the Mac’s network-facing .local name, change the separate Local hostname setting under System Settings > General > Sharing.
Change the computer name in macOS
- 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 edit.
Apple documents this procedure for Mac computers, including MacBook Air. It changes the computer name shown in About and used to identify the Mac; it does not rename your macOS user account or home folder. Apple’s instructions do not specify that you need to restart. Apple Support: Change your computer’s name or local hostname on Mac.
Change the Mac’s local hostname instead
If you want to change the network identifier ending in .local, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Sharing. In the Local hostname section, select Edit and enter the hostname you want.
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The local hostname is distinct from the computer name, even though macOS normally derives it from that name: Apple describes it 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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Which name should you change?
| Identifier | Where to find or change it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Computer name | System Settings > General > About | The Mac’s displayed name; can help other people find it when screen or file sharing is enabled. |
| Local hostname | System Settings > General > Sharing > Local hostname > Edit | The local-network name used by Bonjour-compatible services, typically ending in .local. |
| Network address | Shown with the relevant sharing service’s settings | An address used to connect to a particular service, such as file sharing or screen sharing; it is not another name setting. |
If your goal is simply to make the Mac easier to recognize in device lists, change the computer name. If a Bonjour-compatible service needs a different local-network identifier, edit the local hostname. To connect to a shared service, use the network address Apple shows for that service when needed. Apple Support explains the differences among these identifiers.
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- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
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If the name does not appear as expected
- A number appears in the local network name: Apple says macOS adds a number when another Mac on the local network has the exact same name.
- The local network name is Macintosh.local: Apple says this can happen when Bonjour does not recognize the computer name.
- The Sharing control is unavailable: Some Sharing settings may be restricted on a Mac enrolled in a device-management service. If it is a work or school Mac, contact the organization’s administrator about the restriction. Apple Support: Change Sharing settings on Mac.
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