How to Add a New User Account on a Mac

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn:

  • How to create additional user accounts on your Mac for each person to customize their own settings and options without affecting the others.

2. Create New User Profile

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
Screenshot of the Apple menu, with System Preferences selected.


  1. Click Users & Groups.
Screenshot of the System Preferences window, with Users & Groups selected.


  1. Click the lock icon to unlock it, then enter an administrator name and password.
Screenshot of a lock icon.

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  2. Click the Add button below the list of users.
Screenshot of a plus icon.

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Screenshot of the user and groups screen with account type, name, account name, password, and password hint highlighted


  1. Click the New Account pop-up menu, then choose a type of user.
  2. Administrator: An administrator can add and manage other users, install apps, and change settings. The new user you create when you first set up your Mac is an administrator. Your Mac can have multiple administrators. You can create new ones, and convert standard users to administrators. Don’t set up automatic login for an administrator. If you do, someone could simply restart your Mac and gain access with administrator privileges. To keep your Mac secure, don’t share administrator names and passwords.
  3. Standard: Standard users are set up by an administrator. Standard users can install apps and change their own settings, but can’t add other users or change other users’ settings.
  4. Managed with Parental Controls: Users who are managed with parental controls can access only the apps and content specified by the administrator managing the user. The administrator can restrict the user’s contacts and website access, and place time limits on computer use.
  5. Sharing Only: Sharing-only users can access shared files remotely, but can’t log in to or change settings on the computer. To give the user permission to access your shared files or screen, you may need to change settings in the File Sharing, Screen Sharing, or Remote Management panes of Sharing preferences.
Screenshot of the New Account pop-up. Choices are Administrator, Standard, Managed with Parental Controls and Sharing Only.


  1. Enter a full name for the new user. An account name is generated automatically. To use a different account name, enter it now as you can’t change it later.
  2. Enter a password for the user, then enter it again to verify. Enter a password hint to help the user remember their password.
  3. Click Create User.
  4. Click the user you just created.
  5. Depending on the type of user you create, you can also do any of the following:
  6. For an administrator, select “Allow user to administer this computer.”
  7. For a child or other managed user, select “Enable parental controls.” Click Open Parental Controls, then set up restrictions for the user.
  8. Use Sharing preferences to specify whether the user can share your files and share your screen.
  9. The new user is now ready to be used. Log off and then log back in to get started.