How to switch users on Apple Mac? 4 quick methods explained!

If you need to share your Apple Mac computer with others, it may be useful to create a new user account that is separate from your personal account. However, there's no denying that frequently switching between different user accounts can be time-consuming. Luckily, I have prepared a guide for you so that you can quickly switch users on your Apple Mac computer.

1. Use Touch ID to switch between users

One of the quickest ways to switch users on your Mac is to use Touch ID. If you enable Touch ID, your Mac can intelligently identify who is using it and automatically switch accounts. Here's how to configure this feature:

Click the  Apple logo on the menu bar → Select System Settings. Select the "Touch ID & Passcode" option from the left sidebar. If you haven't set up Touch ID yet, click Add Fingerprint to set it up.
Do the same for all user accounts before proceeding to the next step. Turn on fast user switching using Touch ID for all user accounts. Whenever you want to switch users instantly, tap and press Touch ID.
Your Mac will automatically recognize the user and switch accounts.

2. Switch users from the menu bar

One way to quickly switch users on Mac is by adding the "Fast User Switching" option to the menu bar. With this feature, you can add a button or button name to the menu bar to quickly switch users. Here are the steps to enable this feature:

Click the  Apple logo on the menu bar → Select System Settings. Select Control Center → Find Fast User Switching from the sidebar. Click the list next to "Show in menu bar" under "Fast User Switching". Choose to display an icon, account name, or full name in the menu bar.
You can also display fast user switching in Control Center. When you want to switch users, click the icon or name in the menu bar. Select the profile of the user you want to switch to.

3. Switch users from the lock screen

macOS also provides a way to switch users from the lock screen when you manually lock your Mac or every time you wake your Mac. When you want to switch users from the lock screen, you can follow these quick steps: Click the Apple logo on the menu bar → Select "Lock Screen."

You can also use the Option Command Q keyboard shortcut.
Hover over the profile picture at the bottom to display all users. Select User → Enter password or log in using Touch ID. 4. Switch between users using Terminal

Are you looking for a quick way to run administrative commands on your Mac without logging out of your account with standard permissions? In this case, you can execute a simple terminal command to switch to an administrator account with elevated superuser privileges. Here's how it works:

Open Terminal on your Mac using Launchpad or Spotlight search. Type su – in the terminal window and press Return/Enter.

Replace in the command with the name of the administrator. Enter the user's password and press Return/Enter to log in.
FAQ

Can I switch between users without using a passcode or Touch ID?

Can't. For security-related reasons, the latest versions of macOS don't allow anyone to switch between users without using a passcode or Touch ID.

Can I create a temporary guest account on my Mac?

Yes. If you don't want to create a new user account, you can choose to create a temporary guest account on your Mac. To do this, you need to navigate to System Settings → Users and Groups → Click on Guest User → Then, in the prompt that appears, toggle Allow guests to log on to this computer.

What is the difference between standard users and administrator users?

Standard users have limited access and cannot make system-wide changes, while administrator users have full control of their Mac. Administrators can install applications from all sources, make root-level changes, and manage other users.

Summary…

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced macOS user looking for a way to conveniently switch between multiple user accounts on your Mac, I mentioned above The four quick methods should be enough. If this guide helped you, don’t forget to tell us what you found to be the most useful method of switching users on Mac in the comments section below.

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