There are many reasons why you might want to allow other people in your household to access your Mac, but not your personal account. A guest user account is a great way to do this safely and easily. Below, you'll learn step-by-step how to create and manage a guest user account on your Mac.
If you regularly share your Mac with other people, it may be best to set up a second administrator or standard user account for them. However, for short-term access, such as for visitors, you can set up a guest user account. This allows guests to use your computer in a limited way without needing a password or having access to your other accounts. It's important to note that nothing is saved in the guest user account when the guest logs out.
Creating a guest user account
To create a guest user account, you must have an administrator account. If you are normally the only user of the Mac, your account is already an administrator account.
- Open System Preferences: In your own account, go to the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
- Navigate to Users & Groups: Select the Users & Groups option.
- Enable Guest User: The Guest User option is usually shown as Off. Click the Info button to the right of the Guest User account.
- Configure guest user account: Here you can rename the guest user account if desired. Next, enable the switch “Allow guests to log on to this computer”.
- Set restrictions: You can also enable options such as restricting adult websites, which can only be changed with your administrator password. Once enabled, access to known adult websites will be blocked.
- Shared folders: You can also allow guest users to connect to shared folders by enabling the corresponding switch.
Restrictions for guest users
Guest users have limited privileges on your Mac. They can't install software, make system changes, or remotely log into that account from another device. Any files created in a guest user account are saved in a temporary folder that is deleted when the guest logs out. If a guest user has created something on your Mac that they want to save, there are several options:
- Cloud storage: Files can be stored in your own cloud storage solution.
- External storage media: Files can be copied to a portable storage medium.
- Email: Files can be sent via email to your own address or another email address.
If you have allowed this option, files can also be saved to a shared folder on another computer on your network.
Managing a Guest User Account
Guest user accounts are intended for short-term, temporary access to very limited parts of a Mac. When the need for a guest user account no longer exists, you can disable the account:
- Return to System Preferences: Return to System Preferences using your own admin account.
- Users & Groups: Select the Users & Groups section.
- Disable guest users: Turn off the switch that allows guests to log in to your computer.
The Standard User Account option
If someone needs to access your Mac more often, the Guest User option may be too restrictive for their needs. You can also set up a Standard User account, which has some limitations but is not as restrictive as the Guest User account.
- Add users: Go to the Users & Groups section of System Preferences and click Add Users.
- Enter account details: Add the user name, account name, account password, and a password hint.
- Create Account: Click the blue Create User button to create the account.
If you have more than one account on your Mac, you can choose which account you want to sign in to from the Start screen. To switch between accounts, click the Person icon on the right side of the menu bar, usually located between the WiFi indicator and the Spotlight search icon.
Guest user accounts for secure Mac management
A guest user account on your Mac provides a safe and easy way to give other people temporary access to your computer without letting them access your personal information. With the right settings and restrictions, you can ensure that your Mac remains protected while guests use it. Whether for short-term visitors or regular users, proper account management will help keep your Mac secure and efficient. Looking for new accessories? Then take a look in our Amazon Storefront - there you will find numerous products from leading providers, also for HomeKit and Co.! (Photo by Unsplash / N.Tho.Duc)
