Purpose of knowledge article

Discuss the differences between the 3 types of names that a macOS has: ComputerName, LocalHostname, and HostName
Provide instructions on how to view each type of name
Provide instruction on how to change each type of name

Resolution

To see the ComputerName:

On the menu bar, click the Apple icon >>> System Preferences or System Settings >>> Sharing >>> Computer Name
In the Terminal application, run the command hostname
In the Terminal application, run the command sudo scutil --get ComputerName

To change the ComputerName:

On the menu bar, click the Apple icon >>> System Preferences or System Settings >>> Sharing >>> Computer Name
In the Terminal application, run sudo scutil --set ComputerName "newname"

Usually is the same as ComputerName with .local added at the end
To see the LocalHostname:
- On the menu bar, click the Apple icon >>> System Preferences or System Settings >>> Sharing >>> Edit >>> Local Hostname
- In the Terminal application, run the command hostname
- In the Terminal application, run the command sudo scutil --get LocalHostName
To change the LocalHostName:
- On the menu bar, click the Apple icon >>> System Preferences or System Settings >>> Sharing >>> Edit >>> Local Hostname
- In the Terminal application, run sudo scutil --set LocalHostName "newname"
Another name is local network name
Use for identifying Apple computers on the local network
Use by Bonjour-compatible services

To see the Hostname:
- In the Terminal application, run the command sudo scutil --get HostName
To change the HostName:
- In the Terminal application, run sudo scutil --set HostName "newname"
The HostName is provided by the DHCP server that the Apple computer connects to
Typically not set by the user and best not to set it
Use by outside the local network (external network/Internet) to identify Apple computers