Change your Mac's local network name (name.local)

Why it happens

Other computers on your network find your Mac by its local hostname, which ends in .local. If two devices claim the same name at once, for example an old Mac with the same name, macOS adds a number such as -2 to keep them apart. Terminal's prompt usually shows this name too, which is why it can look wrong there.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, then click General and Sharing.

2. Scroll to the bottom of the Sharing page and click Edit… beside Local hostname.

   General›Sharing›Local hostname

3. Type the new name. Stick to letters, numbers and hyphens, with no spaces. You don't need to type .local, because your Mac adds it.

4. Save the change. Other Macs and devices can now reach yours at the new name, for example studio-mac.local.

Still not fixed?

1. If a number like -2 comes back, something else on your network is using the same name. That can be another Mac, an old setup of this one, or a device that remembers it. Pick a name nothing else uses.

2. The friendly name people see in Finder and AirDrop is a separate setting. Change it in General > About, in the Name field.

   General›About

3. Terminal windows that were already open keep the old name in their prompt. Open a new window to see the new one.

4. If another computer says it can't resolve name.local, check the spelling and make sure both are on the same network. A VPN can block local names, so try again with it off.

5. If the name keeps changing back on its own, restart your router and your Mac. If it still happens, contact Apple Support.