How to Create a New User on a Mac

Create a new user ion your Mac in under three minutes.
3 minutes

If you have multiple people in your household that share the same Mac, or want to create a New User for a temporary guest that includes more access to the macOS like saving documents, you'll want to create a New User.

Creating a new user protects the data and information on your user account from being tampered with, accidentally deleted, or accessed by someone you'd rather not see that information. While Macs always come with a Guest User, Guest Users have so few capabilities that creating a new user may be necessary. After all, Guest Users can't even properly save information for later access.

So, if you need to create a new user for a friend, child, family member, or guest, follow the steps in this guide so that you can keep your information and data safe, and they can do what they need to do!

When you're done, check out our guide on How to Delete a User on a Mac!

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Click the Apple Logo

First, click the Apple logo in the upper left-hand corner.

Click "System Preferences"

Select "System Preferences."

Select "Users & Groups"

Click "Users & Groups."

Click the Lock

Select the lock in the lower left-hand corner of the window.

Enter Your User Name and Password

Enter the password for your User Name. Your User Name is not the same as your Apple ID. This is the password you use to log in to your Mac.

Click the "+"

Click the "+" to add a new user.

Choose a User Type

Choose a user type from the drop-down menu.

How to decide user type:

  1. Click the drop-down arrow to the right of the user type
  2. Select the user type you intend on using for this user:
  3. Administrator- has administrative abilities, allowing the user to have full-capabilities and access to the Mac and macOS.
  4. Standard- has basic, standard capabilities like saving, downloading an app, using said apps, etc.
  5. Sharing Only- can access shared files from other users, but has very little capabilities or access on the Mac.

I recommend selected either Administrator or Standard, if you are in doubt.

Enter in a User Name

Create a User Name. This is usually just the first and last name of the user in question.

Create a Password

Next, create a password, then verify that password. You can also create a password hint, if you are prone to forgetting your password.

Click Create User

Once all the information has been entered, click "Create User."

Login In and Set up Your User

Lastly, log out of the user you are currently signed in to and sign into your new user.

Delete unnecessary users on your Mac.
2 minutes

Sometimes it is necessary to create a temporary new user on your Mac, so that whoever needs to use your Mac can do so without facing the limits and restrictions of a Guest User.