Switch to a Different User Account Without Logging Out

The fastest way to change users on a Mac is to use the Fast User Switching menu, which lets you jump between accounts without closing your current session. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then select your name at the top of the dropdown. A list of other user accounts appears — click the one you want to switch to. Your current account stays open in the background, so when you switch back, your apps and windows are exactly where you left them.

This method works on any Mac running macOS 10.3 or later. The account you switch to will ask for a password (unless it has no password set), and then you'll land on that user's desktop. All your files, settings, and preferences stay private to each account.

Key Takeaways

  • Fast User Switching in the Apple menu lets you jump between accounts without logging out, keeping your current work open in the background.
  • You can also log out completely by choosing Apple menu > Log Out, which closes all apps and clears the login screen for a fresh start.
  • Each user account on a Mac has its own password, desktop, files, and settings that are separate from other accounts.
  • If you forget a password, you can reset it using another admin account or your Mac's recovery mode.
  • Creating a new user account requires admin privileges and takes less than five minutes through System Settings.

Log Out Completely and Return to the Login Screen

If you want to fully exit your account instead of keeping it open, click the Apple menu and select Log Out. A dialog box will ask you to confirm — click Log Out again. Your Mac will close all your open apps (you'll get a chance to save unsaved work first), and you'll return to the login screen where you can enter a different user's name and password.

This method is useful when you're done working and want to make sure nothing is running in your account, or when you're handing the Mac to someone else and want a clean slate. The difference between Fast User Switching and logging out is that logging out closes everything, while Fast User Switching leaves your session running.

Create a New User Account

To add a new user to your Mac, open System Settings (the gear icon in the Dock or the Apple menu). Click General in the sidebar, then scroll down and click Users & Groups (on older Macs, this may be under System Preferences instead). Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your admin password to unlock the settings.

Click the + button to add a new account. Choose the account type — Administrator gives the new user full control over the Mac, while Standard restricts some settings. Enter a full name and a short name (the short name is what appears in the login screen and file paths). Set a password, then click Create User. The new account is ready to use when ready.

If you're setting up an account for a child, choose Child instead of Standard or Administrator. This lets you set parental controls for screen time, app restrictions, and content filtering from your own account.

Switch Users on the Login Screen

If you've already logged out or your Mac is at the login screen, you'll see a list of user accounts. Click the account you want to use, enter its password, and press Enter or click the arrow button. If you don't see the account you're looking for, make sure it exists — you may need to create it first using the steps above.

On some Macs, you can also use the User List option at the login screen. If you see a name field instead of a list of accounts, click the User List button (or press the down arrow) to switch to list view. This makes it easier to see all available accounts at once.

Reset a Forgotten Password

If you forget your password, you have two options. If another admin account exists on the Mac, log into that account, open System Settings, go to Users & Groups, click the locked account, and click Reset Password. Enter a new password and click Change Password.

If no other admin account is available, restart your Mac and hold down Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. Click Utilities in the menu bar, then Terminal. Type resetpassword and press Enter. A password reset window will open — select your account from the dropdown, enter a new password, and click Save. Restart your Mac normally when you're done.

Manage Which Accounts Appear at Login

By default, all user accounts on your Mac appear on the login screen. If you want to hide an account or change login settings, open System Settings, go to General, and click Users & Groups. Click the account you want to adjust, then unlock the settings with your admin password.

You can turn off Allow user to reset password using Apple ID if you want stricter control, or enable Allow user to unlock this Mac and approve requests using Apple Watch if that user has a paired watch. These settings don't hide the account — they just change how it behaves at login.

Troubleshoot Switching Problems

If Fast User Switching isn't working, check that it's turned on. Open System Settings, click General, then Users & Groups. Unlock the settings and look for a checkbox labeled Allow fast user switching — make sure it's checked. If it's grayed out, you may not have admin privileges on your account.

If an account won't let you log in, the password may be wrong. Try again carefully, paying attention to uppercase and lowercase letters. If you're still locked out, use the password reset method described above. If the login screen is frozen or unresponsive, restart your Mac by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch users without closing my apps?

Yes. Use Fast User Switching from the Apple menu instead of logging out. Your current account stays open in the background with all apps running. When you switch back, everything is exactly as you left it.

What's the difference between an admin and standard account?

An admin account can install software, change system settings, create or delete other accounts, and reset passwords. A standard account can use apps and change personal settings, but can't modify system-wide features or install software without an admin password.

Will switching users slow down my Mac?

Fast User Switching keeps both accounts open, which uses more memory. If your Mac is already running slowly, logging out completely instead of switching may free up resources. The difference is usually small unless you're running many apps.

Can I delete a user account?

Yes. Open System Settings, go to Users & Groups, click the account you want to remove, unlock the settings, and click the − button. You'll be asked whether to keep or delete the account's files. You must be logged into an admin account to delete another account.

What happens to files when I switch users?

Each user account has its own home folder with separate Documents, Desktop, and Downloads folders. Files in one account are not visible to other accounts unless you move them to a shared location. Switching users does not affect your files.