How to Change Your Full Name and Username on a MacBook Pro: A Complete Guide

If you’ve just bought a new MacBook Pro or want to update your full name and username in the terminal to match your identity, this article is for you. Changing the full name and username on a MacBook Pro can seem a little tricky, especially if it’s your first time doing it. But don’t worry! In this guide, I’ll walk you through easy-to-follow steps to change your full name and username and ensure that these changes are reflected in the terminal.

First, let’s clarify two key terms: full name and username. Your full name is what appears on the login screen and in your account settings, while your username (also known as the short name) is what appears in the terminal and is used by macOS to manage your home directory.

Why Change Your Full Name and Username on a Mac?

There are several reasons you might want to change your full name or username:

1. You bought a second-hand Mac and want to update the identity of the previous owner.
2. Your name has changed, for example, after marriage.
3. You want a shorter or more memorable username for terminal use.

Whatever your reason, making these changes is relatively simple. Let’s get started with the step-by-step guide!

Step 1: Changing Your Full Name on a MacBook Pro

Your full name is the name displayed on the login screen and in user preferences. To change it:

1. Open System Settings
   On your Mac, click the Apple icon () in the top-left corner of the screen, and choose System Settings (previously called System Preferences).

2. Go to Users & Groups
   In System Settings, find the Users & Groups section. This is where you’ll see a list of all the users on your Mac.

3. Authenticate
   At the bottom of the Users & Groups window, click the lock icon and enter your password or use Touch ID to authenticate. This is necessary to make any changes.

4. Edit Full Name
   Right-click on the user account you want to change, then choose Advanced Options. Here, you can change the Full Name. Update the name from Ihsan Arif to Rafi Novandi (or whatever name you prefer).

5. Click OK and Restart
   After making the changes, click OK. You may need to restart your Mac for the changes to fully take effect.

Once this step is complete, your full name has been successfully updated and will be reflected across all parts of macOS that display your account information.

Step 2: Changing Your Username in the Terminal

While your full name is important for formal identification, if you frequently use the terminal, the username that appears there is crucial too. The username (short name) is set when you first create your Mac account, but you can update it easily by following these steps.

1. Open System Settings and Access Advanced Options
   As in the previous step, go to System Settings > Users & Groups and authenticate using your password or Touch ID.

2. Edit Account Name (Username)
   In the Advanced Options window, you’ll see a field for the Account Name. This is the short name (or username) that appears in the terminal. Change it from ihsanarif to rafinovandi (or another name you prefer).

3. Change the Home Directory
   Still in the Advanced Options window, you’ll also need to update the path for the Home Directory. By default, your home directory is located at /Users/oldusername. Update this path from /Users/ihsanarif to /Users/rafinovandi.

4. Rename the Folder in Finder
   Next, open Finder and go to the /Users directory. You should see a folder named ihsanarif (your old username). Rename this folder to rafinovandi to match your new username.

5. Fix Permissions
   After renaming the folder, you need to ensure that the permissions for the new home folder are correct. Open Terminal and run the following command:

   sudo chown -R rafinovandi /Users/rafinovandi
   

   This command makes sure that you have the proper ownership of the new home directory.

6. Restart Your Mac
   Finally, restart your Mac to apply all changes. Now, when you open the terminal, you should see your new username:

   rafinovandi@rafi-novandi-macbook-pro ~ %
   

The Importance of These Changes

Changing your full name and username on a Mac is more than just a cosmetic change—it’s also functional. A username that is easy to remember and matches your identity makes working in the terminal more comfortable. Additionally, updating your full name helps maintain professionalism, especially if your Mac is used for work or studies.

By following these steps, you’ll have successfully updated your full name and username on your MacBook Pro, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. If you encounter any issues along the way, remember to double-check your settings, and feel free to restart your Mac to apply any changes.

With this guide, you can confidently make the changes you need and enjoy a more tailored experience on your Mac.