How to Change Computer Account Name on Mac

As a technical blogger, you may sometimes find yourself in a situation where you have to change your computer’s account name on your Mac. This may be required when you purchase a second-hand Mac or after encountering some system issues. Changing your account name is a simple and straightforward process that does not require any advanced technical knowledge. In this blog post, we will take you through several methods that you can use to change your computer account name on Mac.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Change Your Computer Account Name on Mac:

There are various reasons why you may need to change your computer account name on Mac. Some of the common ones include:
– After purchasing a second-hand Mac and want to personalize your account.
– After encountering system issues such as errors when creating backups or syncing your devices.
– When you want to change your account name due to security reasons, for instance, when using a public computer.

Method 1: Using System Preferences

This method is the easiest and quickest way to change your computer account name on a Mac. You only need to follow these simple steps:
1. Click on the Apple menu, located in the top left-hand corner of your Mac’s screen.
2. Select System Preferences from the options.
3. Click on the Users & Groups icon, then select your user account from the list of accounts.
4. Click on the account name, then type in a new name.
5. Close the window to save changes.

Pros:
– Easy and quick to perform
– You can personalize your account by changing the account name.

Cons:
– No way to rename the home folder

Method 2: Via Terminal

For the users who prefer using Terminal, or those who are comfortable with using command lines, changing the computer account name via Terminal is the way to go. Follow these steps:
1. Click on the Spotlight icon, then type in "Terminal."
2. Launch the Terminal app and type the following command: sudo dscl . -change /Users/[old_account_name] UserFullName [new_account_name]
3. Press Return to confirm changes.
4. Type in your admin password when prompted.
5. Log out, then log back in again using your new account name.

Pros:
– Ideal for users who prefer using Terminal
– No need to navigate through multiple menus.

Cons:
– Risk involved for novice Terminal users

Method 3: Through User Account Control

You can also change your account name via User Account Control. Here’s how:
1. Go to the Apple menu, then click on System Preferences.
2. Select Users & Groups.
3. Click the lock icon to make changes, and then enter your admin password.
4. Control-click on your account, then click on Advanced Options.
5. Type your new account name in the "Account Name" field.
6. Click OK and then close the window.

Pros:
– Offers more advanced options than the System Preferences method.

Cons:
– Confusing for novice users.

Method 4: Creating A New User Account

You can also create a new account and delete the old one to change your computer account name on macOS. Follow these steps:
1. Click on the Apple menu, then select System Preferences.
2. Click on Users & Groups.
3. Click on the + icon and select "New Account."
4. Choose a new account name and fill in all the required fields.
5. Click Create User.
6. Sign out of your current account and sign in to the new one.
7. Copy all of your personal files from your old user account to your new one.
8. Delete your old user account.

Pros:
– This method allows you to create a new user account with your preferred name.

Cons:
– It takes a longer time than other methods.

What to Do If You Can’t Change Your Computer Account Name on Mac:

In some instances, you may find that you can’t change your computer account name. This may be due to a variety of reasons. If you encounter any of the following problems, try using the provided solutions:
– Permission denied error: If you encounter this error, try logging in as an administrator and then try changing the account name.
– The lock icon is grayed out: This indicates that your file is currently in use. Restarting your Mac should fix the problem.
– The account name appears grayed out: If your account name appears grayed out, try creating a new admin account to change your account name later.
– The new account name isn’t being saved: In this case, try logging out and then logging back in again using the new account name.

Bonus Tip:

Always log out of your account before changing your computer account name on Mac to avoid data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Can I change my computer account name on Mac without affecting installed apps?
A. Yes. Changing your account name will not affect any of your installed apps.

Q. Can I change my computer account name on Mac without losing any of my data?
A. Yes. You can change your account name without losing any data.

Q. Can I change the account name in one go, like in Windows?
A. Yes, you can change your account name in just one go.

Q. Will changing my account name on Mac affect my iCloud account?
A. No, it will not affect your iCloud account in any way.

Q. Can I change the short name of the account?
A. Yes, you can change the short name of the account.

Final Thoughts:

Changing your computer account name on Mac is a simple process that you can carry out on your own. We hope this blog post has helped you understand the various methods for changing your account name on Mac, and how to troubleshoot the issues you may face. Remember to always log out of your user account before making any changes to avoid data loss.