How do I edit my MacBook Pro device in iCloud?

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How do I edit my MacBook Pro device in iCloud?

This used to be a simple process - just go to Settings > General > Name. But that option is no longer there in Big Sur....?

I just rang Apple tech support about this and they were, as ever, useless - the agent I spoke didn't have a clue and I had to explain to him that user account name and device name were not the same thing. When he put on hold for a second time I hung up. When you find yourself giving tech support to tech support you know you're wasting your time...

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jan 28, 2021 2:49 AM

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Answer 1

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Cameron Paterson Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 29, 2021 9:04 AM in response to leroydouglas

Okay, I've now had a further conversation with Apple tech support and got a further this time. finally solving this issue. The sharing pane in preferences is indeed the place to change the computer name, not only for any local networks as I had thought, but for iCloud too. Thanks for the input leroydouglas - appreciated

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,404 points

Jan 29, 2021 9:33 AM in response to Cameron Paterson

Cameron Paterson wrote:

Okay, I've now had a further conversation with Apple tech support and got a further this time. finally solving this issue. The sharing pane in preferences is indeed the place to change the computer name, not only for any local networks as I had thought, but for iCloud too. Thanks for the input leroydouglas - appreciated

Great report Cameron Paterson ! Glad this solved your problem.

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Answer 3

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,404 points

Jan 28, 2021 9:44 AM in response to Cameron Paterson

Cameron Paterson wrote:

Hello - thanks for the response and apologies for the dumb typo. Unfortunately I can't edit my original post any more. I meant device *name: how do I edit the name of the MacBook Pro in iCloud?

Are you saying your Mac is registering some "custom" name(?) or is incorrect?

You are not going to change the default product name or the associated Serial Number....(?) to something more unique.

You can delete it, and add it back in I suppose, just log into iCloud via a web browser: https://www.icloud.com

or contact Contact Apple Support to update your Apple device information.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202703 if sometime is not correct.

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Answer 4

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,404 points

Jan 29, 2021 3:30 AM in response to Cameron Paterson

Cameron Paterson wrote:

The iCloud website? Of course, I didn't think of that, thank you. To clarify, yes I meant the name used in iCloud for the device, not the product name or serial number (!). When setting up my current MacBook, my previous one was still registered to my account, so the new one was automatically named 'MacBook Pro (2)' by the system.

This is your local Network...

>System Preferences>Sharing> Edit your preferred name here. Reboot.

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Answer 5

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,404 points

Jan 28, 2021 7:11 AM in response to Cameron Paterson

Cameron Paterson wrote:

How do I edit my MacBook Pro device in iCloud?

You do not state edit what(?) MacBook Pro device in iCloud ...

>System Preferences>AppleID see registered iCloud Device /iCloud preferences/ etc.

your Devices—

https://support.apple.com/my-support

https://checkcoverage.apple.com/

https://appleid.apple.com/

If you are having issues and need to update the following—

Correct the purchase date or expiration date for your ...

https://support.apple.com/en-lamr/HT202696

Update your proof of purchase

Contact Apple Support to update your Apple device information.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202703

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Answer 6

Jan 29, 2021 12:33 AM in response to leroydouglas

The iCloud website? Of course, I didn't think of that, thank you. To clarify, yes I meant the name used in iCloud for the device, not the product name or serial number (!). When setting up my current MacBook, my previous one was still registered to my account, so the new one was automatically named 'MacBook Pro (2)' by the system. Now that the previous Mac has been removed from my account I want to remove that "(2)". Until as recently (I think) as Catalina, it was possible to edit iCloud device names in the Settings app, but this no longer seems to be the case.

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Answer 7

Jan 28, 2021 9:18 AM in response to leroydouglas

Hello - thanks for the response and apologies for the dumb typo. Unfortunately I can't edit my original post any more. I meant device *name: how do I edit the name of the MacBook Pro in iCloud?

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How do I edit my MacBook Pro device in iCloud?

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