Open System Settings and go to the Users section

To add a user on your Mac, start by opening System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings from the dropdown. In System Settings, look for the sidebar on the left and click General, then select Users & Groups (on older Macs, this may appear directly in the sidebar).

On newer Macs running Sonoma or later, the Users section is under General > Users & Groups. You may see a lock icon at the bottom of the window — if so, click it and enter your admin password to make changes.

Click the plus button to create a new account

Once you're in the Users & Groups section, look for a plus sign button (usually at the bottom left of the window). Click it to begin creating a new user account. A dialog box will appear asking you to set up the account details.

The system will ask you to choose an account type. Select from Administrator, Standard, Managed with Parental Controls, or Sharing Only. Most new users should be set as Standard unless they need full system access.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, click General, then select Users & Groups to reach the account creation screen.
  • Click the plus button at the bottom of the Users & Groups window to start adding a new account.
  • Choose an account type: Administrator gives full access, Standard is for everyday users, and Sharing Only is for file access without login.
  • Set a password for the new account and choose whether to allow the user to reset their own password.
  • The new account appears on the login screen immediately after creation.

Enter the account name and password

In the dialog box, type the full name of the person who will use this account in the Full Name field. The Mac will automatically generate an account name (also called a username) in the field below, but you can change it if needed. The account name is what appears at login and in file paths — it's usually lowercase with no spaces.

Next, create a password for the account. Type it in the Password field, then type it again in the Verify field to confirm. If you want the user to be able to reset their own password, check the box that says Allow user to reset password. This is useful if you won't be managing the account closely.

Choose security and login options

Before you finish, decide whether to enable Allow user to reset password using their Apple ID. If you check this, the user can reset a forgotten password using their Apple ID instead of contacting you. This is convenient but requires the user to have an Apple ID set up.

You can also choose whether this account should be able to administer the Mac (install software, change system settings) or remain a standard user with limited permissions. Standard accounts are safer if the user is a child or if you want to control what gets installed on the Mac.

Verify the account appears on the login screen

After you click Create User, the new account is ready immediately. The next time anyone restarts the Mac or logs out, the new user's name will appear on the login screen. They can click their name, enter the password you set, and begin using their own account with their own files, settings, and preferences.

Each user account on a Mac is separate — one person's files, desktop, and application settings don't affect another user's. If you need to change the password later or adjust permissions, return to Users & Groups and click the account name to edit it.

What to do if you can't make changes

If the plus button is grayed out or you see a lock icon, your current account doesn't have permission to add users. Click the lock icon at the bottom of the Users & Groups window and enter your admin password. If you don't know the admin password, you'll need to use Recovery Mode or contact the person who set up the Mac.

On some Macs, particularly those used in workplaces, the ability to add users may be restricted by a network administrator or security policy. If you still can't add a user after unlocking, check with whoever manages your Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a user without giving them a password?

No. Every user account on a Mac requires a password for security. However, you can set a simple password initially and let the user change it later using their Apple ID or by going to System Settings > General > Users & Groups.

What's the difference between Administrator and Standard accounts?

Administrator accounts can install software, change system settings, and modify other user accounts. Standard accounts can use most programs but can't install software or change system-wide settings. Standard is safer for everyday use, especially for children or shared Macs.

Can I delete a user account after I create it?

Yes. Go back to Users & Groups, click the account you want to remove, and click the minus button at the bottom. The Mac will ask what to do with the account's files — you can keep them, delete them, or save them to a folder.

What if the new user forgets their password?

If you enabled Apple ID password reset when creating the account, they can use their Apple ID to reset it at the login screen. Otherwise, an administrator account holder can reset it through Users & Groups by clicking the account and selecting "Reset Password."

Do I need to restart the Mac after adding a user?

No. The new account is ready to use immediately. The new user will see their name on the login screen the next time someone logs out or the Mac restarts, but you don't need to restart to create the account.