Mac OS is one of the most popular operating systems in the world. The latest version of the operating system is Big Sur. Mac OS is known for its stability, security, and user-friendliness. One of the most important things that Mac users might want to do is change their username. Changing the username can be beneficial in many ways. Sometimes, your username might contain sensitive information or might not reflect your current status. Therefore, in this blog, we will discuss how to change the user name in Mac OS Big Sur.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Changing Username in Mac OS Big Sur
Changing the username on Mac OS Big Sur is not that easy. Apple has made it challenging because of the underlying file structure. Your username is part of the file structure, and changing the username can cause issues with the file system. The challenge is that when you change the username, the computer’s file system and services have to be updated to recognize the change. Otherwise, it can create data loss or system instability issues.
Things You Need to Prepare
Before changing your username on Mac OS Big Sur, there are a few things you should prepare for. These are:
1. Backup important data: Before making any changes to your username, you should always back up your important data. You can back up the data to an external hard drive or cloud storage.
2. Administrator account: Changing the username requires an administrator account password. Make sure you have access to an administrator account password.
3. Time: Changing the username takes time, so make sure you have enough time to complete the process.
Method 1: Change the Username using System Preferences
Changing the username using system preferences is the easiest way to change your username. Follow these steps to change your username in Mac OS Big Sur using System Preferences:
1. Click on the Apple logo at the top left corner of the screen.
2. Click on System Preferences.
3. Click on Users & Groups.
4. Click on the lock icon at the bottom left of the screen and enter your administrator password.
5. Select your user account from the left sidebar.
6. Click on the padlock icon at the bottom left to prevent further changes.
7. Click on the gear icon at the bottom right of the user list.
8. Select the "Advanced Options" from the dropdown.
9. In the "Account name" field, change the username.
10. Click OK.
Method 2: Change the Username using Terminal
Changing the username using Terminal is an advanced method. Make sure you have good knowledge of using Terminal before attempting this method. Follow these steps to change your username in Mac OS Big Sur using Terminal:
1. Open Terminal.
2. Type "sudo nano /etc/passwd" without quotes and press Enter.
3. Enter your administrator password.
4. Find the line containing your username.
5. Change the username.
6. Press Ctrl and X.
7. Press Y.
8. Press Enter.
9. Type "sudo mv /Users/oldusername /Users/newusername" without quotes.
10. Close Terminal.
Method 3: Change the Username by Creating a New User Account
If you don’t want to use either of the methods mentioned above, the easiest way to change your username is to create a new user account with the desired username. Follow these steps to create a new user account in Mac OS Big Sur:
1. Click on the Apple logo at the top left corner of the screen.
2. Click on System Preferences.
3. Click on Users & Groups.
4. Click on the lock icon at the bottom left of the screen and enter your administrator password.
5. Click on the add button (+) on the left sidebar.
6. Fill in the username, full name, password, and password hint fields.
7. Click on Create User.
8. Log out from the current account.
9. Log in to the new account.
10. Transfer files from the old account to the new account.
Why Can’t I Change My User Name in Mac OS Big Sur?
There are a few reasons why you might not be able to change your username in Mac OS Big Sur. These include:
1. Lack of administrative privileges: Changing the username requires administrative privileges. Make sure you have administrative privileges before trying to change your username.
2. Username is being used by another account: If the username you want to change to is already in use by another account, you won’t be able to use it.
3. Unsupported characters in the username: Some characters are not supported in the username. Make sure you don’t use these characters.
4. System files are locked: If your computer has locked system files, you won’t be able to change your username.
FAQs
Q. What happens to my data when I change my username?
A. Your data will remain the same even after changing your username. However, you will have to transfer the data from the old username to the new username manually.
Q. Can I change my username with a standard user account?
A. No, you need administrator privileges to change your username.
Q. Why am I not able to change my username in System Preferences?
A. Make sure you have administrative privileges and that the username you want to change to is not already in use by another account.
Q. Can I change my username back to the old username?
A. Yes, you can change your username back to the old username by following the same steps mentioned in the blog.