OS X user accounts feature allows you to share your Mac with other family members or friends, while keeping each user’s information safely protected from other users.

Users can select their favorite desktop backgrounds, and will have their own Home folder for storing their data; they can also set their own preferences for how OS X looks and feels. Most applications allow individuals to create their own set of application preferences, another reason to create user accounts.

Users can also have their own iTunes library, Safari bookmarks, iChat accounts and buddies, Address Book, and iPhoto library.

Setting up user accounts is a straightforward process. You will need to be logged in as the administrator in order to create the user accounts. The administrator account is the account you created when you first set up your Mac. Go ahead and log in with the administrator account, and we’ll get started.

Types of Accounts

OS X offers five different types of user accounts.

• Administrator
• Standard
• Managed with Parental Controls
• Sharing Only
• Group

For this tip, I’ll assume you want to create standard user accounts.

Add a User Account

1. Launch System Preferences by clicking its icon in the Dock.
2. Click the ‘Accounts’ or ‘Users & Groups’ icon to open the Accounts preferences pane.
3. Click the lock icon. You will be asked to provide the password for the administrator account you are currently using. Enter your password, and click the ‘OK’ button.
4. Click the plus (+) button located below the list of user accounts.

1. The New Account sheet will appear.
2. Select ‘Standard’ from the dropdown menu of account types; this is also the default option.
3. Enter the name for this account in the ‘Name’ or ‘Full Name’ field. This is usually the individual’s full name, such as Tom Nelson.
4. Enter a nickname or shorter version of the name in the 'Short Name' or 'Account Name' field. In my case, I would enter ‘tom.’ Short names shouldn’t include spaces or special characters, and by convention, use only lower case letters. Your Mac will suggest a short name; you can accept the suggestion or enter the short name of your choice.
5. Enter a password for this account in the ‘Password’ field. You can create your own password, or click the key icon next to the ‘Password’ field and the Password Assistant will help you generate a password.
6. Enter the password a second time in the ‘Verify’ field.
7. Enter a descriptive hint about the password in the ‘Password Hint’ field. This should be something that will jog your memory if you forget your password. Do not enter the actual password.
8. Click the ‘Create Account’ or ‘Create User’ button.

The new standard user account will be created. A new Home folder will be created, using the account’s short name and a randomly chosen icon to represent the user. You can change the user icon at any time by clicking the icon and selecting a new one from the dropdown list of images.

Repeat the above process to create additional standard user accounts. When you’ve finished creating accounts, click the lock icon in the bottom left corner of the Accounts preferences pane, to prevent anyone else from making changes.

OS X user accounts are a great way to allow everyone in the household to share a single Mac. They’re also a great way to keep the peace, by letting everyone customize the Mac to suit their fancy, without affecting anyone else’s preferences.

Published: 7/6/2010

Updated: 2/11/2015