Creating a New User Account on a Mac: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up multiple user accounts on a Mac is a simple task that allows each user to customize their settings and keep their files separate. It’s especially useful for families or shared spaces, where different people may want to use the same computer but need their own personal settings and privacy. Whether you want to set up parental controls or simply ensure that each person has their own environment, macOS offers several types of user accounts to suit different needs.

Types of Accounts You Can Create on Mac

• Standard Account
  This is ideal for families who want each person to have their own account while sharing the same Mac. Standard accounts prevent other users from accessing your files. Standard users can install apps and adjust their settings, but they can’t create or manage other accounts.
• Guest Account
  The guest account is perfect for letting friends or family use your Mac temporarily. Any changes made, including files created or settings adjusted, are erased after the guest logs out. This means the Mac will be returned to its default state every time a guest uses it. If a guest needs to save their files, they’ll have to use a USB drive, Dropbox, or another storage option before logging out.
• Admin Account
  Admin accounts give users higher privileges and can make system-wide changes. While you may want to limit the number of admin accounts for security reasons, they are useful in certain situations, such as when parents need to manage kids’ accounts, or when multiple administrators are required for managing a group, like in schools or workplaces.
• Sharing Account
  The sharing account is designed for file sharing, making it easier to access files and folders remotely. However, users of the sharing account cannot log in to your Mac or change any system settings.
• Group Account
  A group account allows multiple users to share common access to specific files or folders. You can assign a group special permissions, so all members of the group can access shared resources.

Steps to Create a Group Account

1. Go to the Apple menu and select System Settings.
2. Click Users & Groups in the sidebar.
3. Click the Add Group button.
4. Name the group and click Create Group.
5. Click the Info button next to the group, then enable users in the list.
6. To allow file or screen sharing, you may need to adjust settings in File Sharing, Screen Sharing, or Remote Management.

How to Create a New User Account

1. Open System Settings on your Mac running macOS Ventura or later.
2. Select Users & Groups.
3. To enable a guest account, click the info button next to Guest User and toggle the switch to “Allow guests to log in to this computer.”
4. To create a new account, click Add Account and enter your Mac’s admin password.
5. Choose the account type from the drop-down menu, and fill in the details, such as full name, account name (without spaces), and password.
6. Click Create User.

How to Change an Account to an Administrator

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner and select System Settings.
2. Scroll down to Users & Groups and select the user you want to promote.
3. Click the info icon next to the account.
4. Toggle the switch to “Allow this user to administer this computer” to give them admin privileges.

How to Change a User’s Password

1. Open the Apple menu, select System Settings, then Users & Groups.
2. Click the info button next to your username.
3. Click Change and enter your old password, followed by your new password twice.
4. Optionally, add a password hint to help you remember it.
5. Click Change Password to confirm.

Conclusion

Creating and managing user accounts on macOS is straightforward and offers various ways to personalize your Mac for different users. Whether you’re setting up accounts for family members, colleagues, or guests, these accounts allow for a secure and customized computing experience. Be sure to set strong passwords and review permissions regularly to ensure security and smooth operation across all accounts. With these steps, you can easily manage your Mac and keep your files safe while sharing your device with others.