How to Deal with HDD Got Renamed Itself on Mac?

During the use of a Mac, there are various issues or problems frustrating you. Have you encountered the issue of the hard drive renaming itself on Mac? So strange this situation is!

Many users posted their cases or doubts like:

My hard drive suddenly changed its name as oiuytrew and the files and applications were changed on the same date and time. What happened?  -discussion.apple.com

I noticed that my HDD's name was changed when I was looking for files inside it, it is so weird, how to fix it when this happens?  -forums.macrumors.com

I have seen that my hard drive is now renamed itself to... but I didn't do anything of this, how do I get my previous drive name back?  -reddit.com

This unexpected issue might indicate underlying issues with your HDD or the system, which can be both confusing and concerning. Don't worry, in this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind this problem and provide a comprehensive guide on how to fix it.

The reasons why a hard drive renames itself on Mac

Understanding the potential causes of a hard drive keeps renaming itself on Mac is crucial for finding the right solution. Maybe they are:

You can share these reasons and then let's have a look at how to fix the hard drive automatically renames itself on Mac.

How to fix hard drive keeps renaming itself on Mac?

There are useful ways to fix this issue, and some of them will erase all the data, you can do a backup of your hard drive.

Be careful, if your hard drive keeps renaming itself, it may lose some data, check the files. Do a data recovery with the effective tool iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac after you find there is something lost or missing.

# Repair the drive with Disk Utility

Disk Utility is a helpful tool on macOS that can help you diagnose and repair disk errors. It's the first step you should take when encountering the hard drive renames itself:

# Create a new user account

Creating a new user account can help determine if the issue is user-specific or system-wide.

# Reset NVRAM/PRAM

NVRAM(Non-Volatile Random-access Memory) and PRAM(Parameter RAM) store system settings that can sometimes cause issues.

Note that if your Mac has a T2 chip, you will see the Apple logo appear and disappear twice.

# Check for software update

Keeping your macOS up to date can resolve many system-related issues like the hard drive keeps renaming itself on Mac.

# Check for software conflicts in Safe Mode

Sometimes, third-party applications or system extensions can cause unexpected behavior, including hard drive renaming.

You can identify and remove the conflicting software like quitting or uninstalling it.

# Change the drive permission

Incorrect permission can lead to various issues, a few users said they changed the permission to read-only, so this issue is fixed. You can also try:

If there is nothing happened, you'd better undo this step because it will avoid backup.

# Reformat the hard drive

If other solutions do not work, reformatting the drive might be the last choice. This step will erase all the data, so ensure you do a backup.

Please share these ways to help more others~

Summary

The hard drive keeps renaming itself on Mac can be an annoying issue, but by following the steps outlined above, you can diagnose and fix the problem. If the issue persists, consider seeking professional help to ensure there are no underlying hardware problems.