- After updating to macOS 15, many users noticed the Terminal only shows "username@Mac" instead of the full hostname, which can be confusing.
- The exact reason for this change is unclear, but it could be an intentional update or a bug in macOS 15's handling of hostnames.
- To fix this, you can use Terminal commands to reset the hostname or customize the Terminal prompt to show more information, such as running specific `scutil` commands or setting `PS1` for a personalized prompt.
If you’ve recently updated to macOS 15 and noticed that your Terminal no longer shows the hostname, you’re not alone. Many users have experienced this issue where, instead of the usual display of the username and hostname, the Terminal now only shows username@Mac. This change can be confusing, especially if you’re used to seeing more detailed information in your Terminal prompt.
In this article, we’ll break down why this is happening, what could be causing it, and how to fix it.
Understanding the Terminal Prompt Change
In earlier versions of macOS, the Terminal would show both your username and the full hostname of your computer. For many, this was helpful in identifying the system they were working on, especially when using multiple computers or servers.
With macOS 15, however, the Terminal seems to have simplified the prompt to just username@Mac. This change wasn’t expected by users, and even attempts to reset the hostname using standard commands have not worked for everyone.
Why Is This Happening?
It’s unclear whether this is an intentional change by Apple or a bug. Some users have suggested that Apple made adjustments to the way hostnames are displayed in Terminal for macOS 15, which may have led to this issue.
In previous macOS versions, you could easily see the full hostname, and even changing it through System Settings > General > Sharing would reflect those changes in the Terminal. Now, even after following these steps, many users are reporting that only “Mac” appears in the Terminal instead of the hostname they expect.
How to Fix Terminal Doesn’t Show Hostname Anymore in macOS 15
Several solutions have been suggested by the Apple support community. One of the most common fixes involves resetting the hostname using Terminal commands. Here’s how to do it:
Open Terminal and type the following commands, one at a time:
- To set the full hostname:
sudo scutil --set HostName YourFullHostName
- To set the local hostname: sudo scutil —set LocalHostName YourLocalHostName
- To set the computer name: sudo scutil —set ComputerName YourFriendlyName
Restart the Terminal after running these commands. This should refresh the settings and, in many cases, restore the full hostname display.
If this doesn’t work, it’s possible that there’s a deeper issue with how macOS 15 handles hostnames. Some users have had success with restarting their computers or resetting other network settings.
Customizing the Terminal Prompt
If the above steps don’t bring back the hostname display, you can always customize the Terminal prompt to show more information manually.
You can use the following command to customize your Terminal prompt: export PS1=“%n@%m %1~ %# “
This will show your username, hostname, and the current directory in the prompt. If you’re looking for even more customization options, tools like “Oh My ZSH!” or “LiquidPrompt” allow you to completely personalize the appearance and content of your Terminal prompt.
User Experiences and Feedback
Many users in the Apple support community have shared their experiences with this issue. While some have found the fix using scutil commands helpful, others believe this is a bug that Apple needs to address. A few users pointed out that the problem may have arisen because the local hostname and the computer name are being handled differently in macOS 15 compared to previous versions.
There’s also some confusion about whether the local hostname was ever supposed to appear in the Terminal prompt, or if only the computer name was meant to be displayed. This has led to a range of opinions on what the default behavior should be.
Conclusion
If your Terminal no longer shows the hostname after upgrading to macOS 15, you’re not alone. While the exact cause of this issue is still up for debate, there are a few steps you can take to try and fix it. Resetting the hostname using Terminal commands or customizing the prompt yourself are two options that have worked for many users.
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