Rename Your Device: Computer, Smartphone & Tablet Guide
The Importance of Device Naming
Assigning descriptive names to your devices is highly recommended. This practice is particularly crucial in Windows 10, where Microsoft has eliminated the computer name setting from the initial setup procedure.
Without manual naming, Windows 10 computers are automatically given arbitrary, unhelpful names.
How Device Names are Utilized
On a network, the "hostname" serves as a unique identifier for the device. This identifier is visible on your router’s administration interface and during network file browsing.
These names are also employed within features like "find my device" and any other system requiring device identification.
- Hostnames are essential for network visibility.
- Meaningful names simplify device management.
- Custom names enhance the usability of "find my device" features.
Properly named devices contribute to a more organized and easily manageable network environment. Consistent naming conventions can significantly improve troubleshooting and device recognition.
Windows 10
The initial configuration of Windows 10 has been streamlined by Microsoft. During setup, the operating system now bypasses the prompt for a PC name.
Consequently, your Windows 10 computer may be assigned a generic and potentially unclear identifier.
Renaming Your PC
To assign a custom name, access the "Settings" application. This can be found through the Start menu or Start screen.
Within Settings, navigate to the "System" category and then select "About" from the options presented at the bottom of the list.
Click or tap the "Rename PC" button. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to input a new, descriptive name for your computer.
The alteration will be implemented following a system reboot.
Note: Choosing a meaningful name can greatly improve network organization and device identification.
Windows 7, 8, and 8.1
Related: Change Your Computer Name in Windows 7, 8, or 10
For older Windows iterations, including Windows 10, accessing the Control Panel is the initial step.
Within the Control Panel, navigate to "System and Security" and then select "System".
From the sidebar, click the "Advanced system settings" link.
This will open the System Properties window; select the "Computer Name" tab located at the top.
To modify the computer’s name, click the "Change" button positioned to the right of "To rename this computer, click Change".
Enter the desired new name into the "Computer name" field.
Confirm the change by clicking "OK" to rename your computer.
The system will then apply the new name.
Renaming Your Mac
The process of changing your Mac's name is initiated within the System Preferences application. Begin by clicking the Apple menu, which is located on the menu bar at the screen's top, and then choosing "System Preferences" from the dropdown list.
Within the System Preferences window, locate and click the "Sharing" icon. This will open the sharing settings where you can modify your computer’s identifier.
At the top of the Sharing window, you'll find a field labeled "Computer Name". Simply enter your desired new name for your Mac into this field.
Changing the Computer Name
The "Computer Name" field is where the new designation for your Mac is specified. Ensure the name is concise and easily recognizable.
After entering the new name, the change is typically applied immediately. You may need to restart certain applications for the new name to be fully reflected throughout the system.
iPhone and iPad Device Naming
A device renaming feature is accessible within the "About" section of Apple’s iOS operating system. This functionality applies to iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches.
To locate this setting, initiate the "Settings" application from your device’s home screen. Subsequently, select the "General" category, followed by tapping on "About".
Within the "About" screen, tap the "Name" field positioned at the top. This action will enable you to input a customized name for your device.
Renaming Process
The ability to personalize your device’s name offers a convenient way to distinguish between multiple Apple products. It’s a simple modification that can enhance organization.
Changing the name does not affect device functionality or performance. It is purely a cosmetic alteration for user identification.
Android
Android devices, unlike many other systems, present a unique challenge when it comes to renaming the device itself on a network. Despite common expectations, Google does not natively provide a feature to alter the device's network name.
When establishing a Wi-Fi hotspot using an Android phone or tablet, customization is limited to the hotspot's name within its settings. Changing the device's identifier as it appears on your network isn't directly possible through standard options.
To modify the device's hostname, a more advanced approach is required. This involves rooting the Android device and then locating a specialized application capable of altering this system setting.
However, the device can still be uniquely identified using its MAC address. This remains a reliable method for network recognition.
A different form of renaming is available through the Google Play Store. You can rename your Android device within your Google Play account to improve app management and device tracking.
To do this, navigate to play.google.com/settings, or access the Google Play Store website. Then, click the gear icon and select "Settings". From there, click the "Edit" button and input your desired new device name.
This renaming function specifically applies to how your device is displayed within the Google Play ecosystem.
Chromebooks
Chromebooks, similar to Android devices, are products of Google’s development.
Consequently, Google has not incorporated a feature allowing users to directly alter the name of their Chromebook.
If identification is required, a Chromebook can be uniquely recognized on a router’s configuration panel utilizing its MAC address, mirroring the process for Android devices.
Accessing System Configuration
Despite this limitation, Chrome OS is fundamentally built upon the Linux operating system.
Enabling developer mode on a Chromebook grants write access to the system’s configuration files.
This access is typically necessary when users wish to install a Linux desktop environment alongside the standard Chrome OS.
Renaming Capabilities
Once in developer mode, the Chromebook’s name can be modified through direct manipulation of the system configuration.
This provides a workaround for the lack of a built-in renaming function within the standard Chrome OS interface.
Essentially, leveraging the underlying Linux architecture unlocks this customization option.
Linux
Linux systems, like Ubuntu, allow for hostname modification. However, the method varies across different distributions.
While the "hostname" command, executed with root privileges, can temporarily alter the system's name, this change is not persistent across reboots.
To make a lasting change, the appropriate configuration file must be edited. On Ubuntu and Debian-based systems, this file is located at /etc/hostname.
Changing the Hostname
For distributions other than Ubuntu or Debian, a web search using the phrase "change hostname on [Linux distribution name]" will provide specific instructions.
This ensures the correct procedure is followed for your particular operating system.
The image illustrates the process of renaming various devices.
Beyond computers, many other devices utilize hostnames.
The ability to modify these names isn't universally available, but is often found within the device's settings, typically under an "About" section.
It's important to note that not all devices offer a hostname customization option.
Image courtesy of miniyo73 on Flickr.