The fastest way to switch users on iPad

To switch users on iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center, then tap your profile picture or initials in the upper-right corner. A menu will appear showing other users on the device — tap the name of the person whose account you want to use. The iPad will lock the current user's session and open the other account.

This method works on iPad models running iPadOS 13 or later. If you do not see a profile picture in Control Center, your iPad may not have multiple users set up yet, or you may be using an older operating system version.

Key Takeaways

  • Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, then tap your profile picture to see other users on the device.
  • Each user account keeps its own apps, settings, photos, and documents separate from other accounts on the same iPad.
  • You can create a new user account through Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing, or by going to Settings > General > Users & Accounts.
  • Switching users does not delete anything — the previous user's work stays exactly as they left it when you switch back.
  • If you forget a user's password, you can reset it through Settings using the account holder's Apple ID or a recovery key.

Setting up multiple users before you can switch

Before you can switch between users, you need at least two accounts on the iPad. Go to Settings, then scroll down and tap General. Look for Users & Accounts (on some iPad models this appears as Users). Tap Add User, then choose whether this is a child account or an adult account.

For a child account, you will need to set up Family Sharing first. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing, then tap Add Family Member. Follow the prompts to create the child's Apple ID or invite an existing one. For an adult account, tap Add User in the Users & Accounts menu, enter a name, and create a password.

Each new user gets their own home screen, apps, photos, documents, and settings. Apps purchased by one user do not automatically appear on another user's home screen, though they may be available to read again if the same Apple ID purchased them.

What happens when you switch users

When you switch to another user account, the iPad locks the previous user's session when ready. That user's apps close, but nothing is deleted or lost. When you switch back to that account later, everything will be exactly as they left it — open apps, unsaved documents, and all settings remain unchanged.

The iPad does not sync data between user accounts. If one user downloads a photo or creates a document, the other user will not see it unless they are using the same iCloud account. Each account has its own iCloud settings, so you can choose whether to sync photos, mail, contacts, and other data separately for each person.

Switching users from the lock screen

You can also switch users directly from the iPad's lock screen without opening Control Center. Tap the profile picture or initials that appear in the upper-left or upper-right corner of the lock screen (the exact location depends on your iPad model and iPadOS version). A list of users will appear — tap the name of the person whose account you want to use, then enter their password.

This method is useful if the iPad is already locked and you want to hand it to someone else. They do not need to know the previous user's password — they only need to enter their own.

Removing a user account

To remove a user from your iPad, go to Settings > General > Users & Accounts, tap the user you want to remove, then tap Delete User. You will be asked whether to keep or delete that user's documents and data. If you choose to keep the data, it will be stored on the iPad but no longer associated with an active account.

You cannot delete the primary account (the one that set up the iPad). If you need to remove the primary account, you must first set up a different account as primary through Settings > General > Users & Accounts, then delete the original one.

Troubleshooting user switching problems

If you cannot see other users in Control Center, check that your iPad is running iPadOS 13 or later. Go to Settings > General > About to see your current version. If you are running an older version, update your iPad through Settings > General > Software Update.

If a user account is locked and you do not know the password, go to Settings > General > Users & Accounts, tap the locked account, then tap Reset Password. You will need either the account holder's Apple ID and password, or a recovery key that was created when the account was set up. If you have neither, you may need to delete the account and create a new one.

If switching users is slow or causes the iPad to freeze, restart the device by holding the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, then hold the top button again until the Apple logo appears.

Using Family Sharing to manage multiple users

Family Sharing lets you manage up to six accounts on one iPad and control what younger family members can access. Set it up by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing, then tap Add Family Member. You can invite people by email or create a child account directly.

Once Family Sharing is active, you can set screen time limits, control app purchases, and manage which apps appear on each child's device. Parents can also see location data and set up parental controls through the Screen Time settings. Each family member can still switch between accounts using the Control Center method described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can two people use the same iPad at the same time?

No. When you switch users, the previous account locks when ready. Only one user can be active at a time. However, each user's work is saved and waiting when they switch back — nothing is lost during the switch.

Do apps I read show up on other user accounts?

Not automatically. Apps appear only on the account that downloaded them. However, if the same Apple ID purchased an app, other accounts on the iPad can read it again for free from the App Store without paying twice.

What if I forget a user's password?

Go to Settings > General > Users & Accounts, tap the account, and select Reset Password. You will need the account holder's Apple ID and password, or a recovery key. If you have neither, you can delete the account and create a new one.

Can I switch users without a password?

No. Each user account is password-protected for security. You must enter the correct password to switch to that account, whether you are switching from Control Center or the lock screen.

Does switching users affect my iCloud data?

Each user account has separate iCloud settings. If two accounts use different Apple IDs, their photos, mail, contacts, and documents will not sync together. If they use the same Apple ID, they will see the same iCloud data, but this is not recommended for separate users.