Rename your Mac user folder and account name safely

Why it happens

Your Mac sets the account name and the home folder's name when the account is created, and many settings point to that exact folder. You can't rename the folder of the account you're logged in to, which is why you need a second administrator account for a few minutes. If the folder name and the Home directory setting don't match, your Mac can't find your files when you log in, so go slowly and check each name.

How to fix it

1. Make a full backup first, for example with Time Machine. If something goes wrong, a backup is what gets your files back.

   General›Time Machine

2. If this is your Mac's only administrator account, add a second one in Users & Groups with Add User…, then click the ⓘ next to it and turn on Allow this user to administer this computer.

   Users & Groups›Add User…

3. Log out of your own account from the Apple menu, then log in to the other administrator account.

4. In Finder, choose Go > Go to Folder…, type /Users and press Return. Select your old folder, press Return, type the new name with no spaces and press Return again. Enter the administrator name and password if asked.

   Finder›Go›Go to Folder…

5. Open System Settings > Users & Groups. Control-click your own account, choose Advanced Options… and enter the administrator password.

   Users & Groups›Advanced Options…

6. Change User name to exactly the new folder name. Then change the end of Home directory to match, for example /Users/sam, and click OK.

7. Restart your Mac and log in to your own account. Check that your Desktop, Documents and other files are all there.

Still not fixed?

1. If you log in and your files seem missing, don't add anything new. Log out, log in to the other administrator account, and check that the folder name, User name and Home directory all match exactly.

2. If you only wanted a different name on screen, you can skip all of this. In Users & Groups, Control-click your account, choose Advanced Options… and change only Full name.

   Users & Groups

3. Some apps remember the old folder path. If one can't find its files, point it to the new folder in its settings, or reinstall it.

4. Once everything works, you can delete the extra administrator account you made, or keep it as a spare.

5. If you can't log in to your account after the change, restore your files from your backup, or contact Apple Support for help putting the account right.