> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.techloy.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to change the name of your macOS user account and home folder - URL: https://www.techloy.com/how-to-change-the-name-of-your-macos-user-account-and-home-folder-2/ - Published: 2025-03-21T15:39:21.000Z - Updated: 2025-03-21T15:39:21.000Z - Description: Renaming your macOS user account personalizes your Mac while keeping your files and settings intact. - Author: Ogbonda Chivumnovu - Tags: / Tech Guide, MacOS Your [macOS ](https://www.techloy.com/tag/macos/)user account name is like the label on a jar—it’s how your Mac identifies you and organizes your files. But what if the label no longer fits? Maybe you’ve outgrown ‘TechNoob2020’ or need to update it after a name change. Renaming your account and home folder might sound simple, but one wrong move can leave your Mac confused and your files in disarray. Don’t worry, though—I’ll walk you through the process step by step, so you can update your digital identity without a hitch. 💡 ****Important Warning:** Changing your user account and home folder name incorrectly can result in loss of access to files or login issues. Follow the steps carefully and consider creating a backup of your data before proceeding. ## How to change the name of your macOS user account and home folder To change the name of your user account, you need to be logged into a different administrator account. If your Mac doesn't have another administrator account, you'll need to create a new one in the Users & Groups settings first: ### How to create an Administrator Account on macOS: ### Step 1: Choose Apple menu  > *System Preferences* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-19-at-8.53.57-AM-1-1.png) ### Step 2: Go to *System Preferences* \> *Users & Groups* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-10.50.10-AM-1.png) ### Step 3: Click the *Lock t*o make changes and click the ***+*** Button to add a new user ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-10.49.05-AM-1-1-1.png) ### Step 4: Set the account type to **Administrator** and complete the setup ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-11.01.23-AM-1-1-1.png) ## How to change the name of your home folder ## **Step 1: Log out of the account you're renaming**: Choose **Apple menu  > *Log Out*** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/image-136.png) ## **Step 2: Log in to the new administrator account you created in the** previous **section** ## **Step 3:** From the menu bar in the Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder, then type `/Users` and press Return. The Users folder will open ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/image-137.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/image-138.png) ## **Step 4:** Select the folder of the account you’re renaming, press **Return (Enter)** to rename it, and then enter the new name. Don't use any spaces in the new name ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/image-139.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/image-140.png) ## How to change the name of your macOS user account ## **Step 1:** Choose Apple menu  > *System Preferences* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-19-at-8.53.57-AM-2-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-10.50.10-AM-2-1.png) ## **Step 2:** Click Users & Groups ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-10.50.10-AM-3-1.png) ## **Step 3:** Click the *Lock*, then enter the password of the new administrator account ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-10.49.05-AM-3-1-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-1.16.46-PM-1-1.png) ## **Step 4: R**ight-click (or Control-click) the account that you're renaming. Choose *Advanced Options* from the menu that appears ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-1.15.48-PM-1.png) ## **Step 5:** Update the *Account name* field to match the new name you gave to your home folder in the previous section (e.g. test123) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-1.30.35-PM-1.png) ## Step 6: Change the *Full name* field. The full name does not need to match the username and can contain spaces ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-1.50.41-PM-1.png) ## Step 7:Update the username in the *Home directory* field. Change that name to match the new name of the home folder, but don’t remove `/Users/` For example, if *User name* is test123, then *Home directory* should be /Users/test123 ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c1/a6/c1a6d111-d951-41ad-a392-c1e841210b93/content/images/2025/03/Screen-Shot-2025-03-18-at-1.37.30-PM-1.png) ## Step 8: Click OK, then restart your Mac and log in to the renamed account ## Conclusion Renaming your macOS user account and home folder doesn’t have to be a headache. By following these steps, you can update your digital identity safely and efficiently. So, whether you’re ditching ‘TechNoob2020’ or updating your name, go ahead and make the change—your Mac will thank you. 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