how can I change the NAME of my Mac?

Question

how can I change the NAME of my Mac?

There is a listing of devices on lower left corner of the Apple ID dialog box(System Prefs). Joe's MacBook Air, Jenny's Mac mini, etc etc.

It appears there is no edit capability to change the name of the Mac, itself. in this list or even find these device names anywhere@! I can sign in to Apple ID and click on the device but it is NOT editable for its name?!

I can edit my Apple ID; I can change the Hard disk drive's name, but there is no way to access, that I can see, the name of the Mac itself. True? What did I miss?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Nov 23, 2021 12:43 PM

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Answer 1

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Phil0124

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Nov 23, 2021 12:49 PM in response to Brian Schreiber

To change the name of the Mac go to System Preferences->Sharing->Computer Name on the Mac you wish to rename.

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Answer 2

Nov 23, 2021 9:03 PM in response to Phil0124

Well, that IS a start anyway.

I was allowed to change the name-- locally. . . HOWEVER, after restarting the Mac and restarting the Airport time capsule and logging in to Apple ID / devices/ . . . It was still listed with it's OLD name. BUT, oddly enough, if I go a bit deeper past Apple ID/ devices/ to "the device icon details"/ view on iCloud. . . and then sign in to iCloud . . . iCloud DOES show the new device name but, as pointed out, Apple ID fails to show the update. Pretty weird.

SO, it changes locally and on iCloud but leaves the OLD name as it was in the Apple ID page. More confusion.

maybe Apple's electrons are just going too slow.

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Answer 3

Nov 24, 2021 7:49 AM in response to Brian Schreiber

It should eventually update it in the device list as well, but it may take a little while to do so. That is the only place to change the name and its taken from there everywhere else you see it.

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Answer 4

Nov 24, 2021 10:07 AM in response to Phil0124

OK, well its been about a day now and those electrons have yet to arrive!

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how can I change the NAME of my Mac?

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