If you want to make your Mac fit for use by another person or if you want to try out certain settings in a fresh usage environment, a new account will help. If you want to create a new Mac user account, go to the macOS system settings. In this guide you can find out exactly how to do this and what the guest user account is all about.
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Here you will find the settings for Mac accounts
To create a new macOS user account on the Apple computer, you must call up the corresponding menu in the system settings. You can get there via the Apple logo in the menu bar:
- Click on that Apple logo () on the top left of the menu bar
- Select the item from its menu System settings ... from
- In the window that opens, click on the left Users & Groups
The "Add Account..." option
Below the list of existing accounts or below the group list, if groups have been set up, you will find the "Add account..." button. Click on this if you want to create a completely new user account. Entering the name, account name, password, password confirmation and password hint should be self-explanatory.
At the top of the input mask, however, there is still a drop-down menu next to "New account". Here you have three account options and the fourth option is to set up a group. If we stick to creating a new user account, the following three explanations will help you to choose the right option:
- Administrator: Account with extensive usage rights, can add new accounts, adjust or delete existing accounts, change their status and also make other changes. Apps can be installed and uninstalled here.
- Standard: Account that can only make changes to their own settings. Doesn't affect other Mac accounts or deeper settings. Apps can also be installed and uninstalled here.
- share only: Account can access (remotely) shared folders and files. Ideal for remote access to specific content without exposing entire accounts or sensitive content. No extensive use or app management possible.
So if you just want to set up an account for another person in the household or guests, then "Standard" is the best setting. This is already preset, so you basically don't have to change anything, just enter your name, password and password hint. At the end you click on the “Create user” button.
Guest User - Enable pre-built Mac account for guests
The Guest User:in account is ideal if you want to temporarily make your Mac available to someone else. So if you have friends or family members who want to check their e-mails, plan trips or do other things on the computer, simply activate this account. It will be visible to you in the system settings if you use an administrator account. If you are logged into this admin account, proceed as follows:
- Click on that Apple logo () on the top left of the menu bar
- Select the item from its menu System settings ... from
- In the window that opens, click on the left Users & Groups
- Click the circled "i" (info icon) to the right of "Guest User:in"
- Activate the first controller (and others if necessary) and click on the "Done" button
If you register as a guest, you do not need a password. Such an account is not protected. Therefore, no remote access is possible. You can also set whether adult content should be restricted (second slider) and whether shared folders should be available (third slider) in the window shown above. This option allows you to make selected files from your account available to guests in shared folders.
Safari Limitation: Is FileVault Enabled?
When activating the guest account, in addition to the login instructions, you will also find the information that only Safari will be available for using websites if you are on the Mac.FileVault“ have activated. If you don't know whether you use this security setting for your hard drive or not, you will find the answer here:
- Click on that Apple logo () on the top left of the menu bar
- Select the item from its menu System settings ... from
- In the settings window, left click Privacy an
- Scroll down the right pane until you see FileVault colors
- Checks whether disk encryption is enabled or disabled
Apple sources on Mac user accounts
Apple offers some instructions for the Mac in the support area of its own website. This includes several help documents about Mac accounts and groups. Here is a selection in case something is still unclear in the above explanations:
- Add user or group on Mac
- Adjust Users & Groups preferences on Mac
- Change settings for guest users on Mac
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.