How to Change Admin on Mac: Users Settings and Name

Learn how to change admin on Mac, including switching accounts and modifying user names, with these easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.

What is an admin user on Mac? An administrator account on a Mac must retain control over system settings, software installs, and user administration. This account type enables you to set the important rights, ensuring that only authorized users may make major changes. You may need to change the admin information if you transfer devices, upgrade users, or customize access levels for increased protection. Unlike normal users, an admin may create or delete accounts, change system settings, and manage data, making it critical for properly managing personalized or shared devices.

How to change admin on a Mac? This article will teach you step-by-step how to change Users & Groups settings, rename the admin account, and convert an admin account to an ordinary user if necessary. By following these steps, you can guarantee that your Mac is securely configured to match your needs, whether for personal or collaborative work.

How to Change Admin Users & Groups Settings on Mac

To change settings for various accounts, such as allowing visitor access or establishing new users, go to your Mac's settings and choose the "Users & Groups" option. Follow these steps to change account permissions and personalize user preferences.

Step 1. Go to the Apple menu and choose "System Settings".

Step 2. Choose "Users & Groups" from the sidebar to see an existing account list.

Step 3. Click the "i" button next to a username to edit user information. This lets you change access and account settings, such as login pictures.

Step 4. To create a new user, click "Add User...". Input your password, and choose an account type (Administrator, Standard, or Sharing Only).

Step 5. For automatic login choices, choose a user from "Automatically log in as", then save your selection.

Wonder how to delete a user on Mac to free up your Mac storage space? This post will introduce effective ways to delete Other Users storage on Mac! Take a look:

How to Change Admin Name on Mac

To change the admin name on a Mac, you must have access to a second admin account. If your Mac only has one administrator, create another to finish this procedure. Ensure the admin account's short and home folder names are in sync to prevent login or access difficulties. Steps for renaming the macOS Admin account:

Part 1. Create a new administrator account (if you don't have one already):

Step 1. Open "System Settings > Users & Groups". Then, click the "Add User" button and enter your administrative password if asked.

Step 2. In the pop-up, pick "Administrator" as the account type, enter your information, and then click "Create User".

Step 3. Log out of your main admin account and sign in using the new admin account.

Part 2. Rename the original home folder.

Step 1. Launch "Finder" with the new admin account activated, click "Go" from the menu bar, and then "Go to Folder".

Step 2. Enter "/Users" and hit "Return." This will open the directory that contains user folders.

Step 3. Locate the original admin account's folder (the folder name will be the former admin's short name).

Step 4. Right-click this folder, choose "Rename," and provide the new short name. To prevent problems, ensure that the name does not include any spaces.

You may be requested to enter your administrative credentials to approve this modification. Enter your information to continue.

Part 3. Change the admin account name in System Settings:

Step 1. Return to "System Settings > Users & Groups".

Step 2. In the list of user accounts, select the account you wish to rename and press the "information" icon on the right side.

Step 3. In the "information box", please select the "User name" field and adjust it to match the new short name you assigned to the home folder.

Part 4. Restart your Mac and log in to the renamed account.

Step 1. To implement the modifications, restart your Mac. Log in with the newly modified admin name and password.

Step 2. Check your access to confirm that the Finder, files, and desktop load properly. Any problems might arise due to inconsistencies between the account and home folder names. Return to Users & Groups and double-check the information.

Following these instructions will enable you to easily modify your Mac's admin name. The renaming procedure keeps your files, settings, and permissions intact without deactivating or re-establishing accounts.

How to Switch Admin to Standard User on Mac

If you need to convert an admin account on your Mac to an ordinary user, you must first log out of the account you need to edit since changes cannot be made while the session is ongoing. Here's how to accomplish that in a few easy steps:

Step 1. Switch to the account you want to downgrade and log out using the "Apple menu > Log Out [Account Name]". Return to your primary admin account to make the modifications.

Step 2. Go to "System Preferences/System Settings" and choose "Users & Groups". This displays a list of user accounts on your Mac.

Step 3. Click the "Information" symbol in front of the user name. In the information box, toggle the button to disable the "Allow this user to administer this computer" option.

Step 4. When the adjustment is complete, you should see a notification requesting you to restart your MacBook Pro/Air so that the changes take effect. After resuming, the chosen account will lose admin access and be limited to ordinary user capabilities.

Conclusion

In this article, we've looked at how to change admin on Mac, including how to alter the admin name, downgrade an admin to an ordinary user, and secure all accounts. Understanding how to change user roles and permissions on macOS is critical for preserving privacy and system integrity, whether for personal or family usage.

With these easy but precise methods, you can improve the security and usefulness of your Mac. Remember that controlling account permissions enables a more seamless, secure computer experience.

How to Change Admin on Mac FAQs

Below are the common faqs that are related to how to change admin on Mac:

1. How do I change admin on Mac?

Create a new admin account if required to change Mac admin. Use the new admin account to go to "System Preferences > Users & Groups". Click the lock symbol and input your password to unlock settings. Select the account to downgrade, uncheck "Allow user to administer this computer" and confirm. Finally, log out and log in as the new admin to finish updating.

2. How do I remove an administrator from my Mac?

MacOS needs at least one admin account, so ensure one is accessible before removing one. Unlock System Preferences > Users & Groups and choose to remove the admin account. Click "-" underneath the user list to remove the account. The user's home folder will be offered for saving or deletion. Confirm your option to delete the Mac administrator account.

3. How do I reset the administrator on Mac?

Restart your Mac and press "Command + R" to reset the administrator password to enter Recovery Mode. Select Terminal from Utilities, enter resetpassword, and then Enter.

Select your admin account and specify a new password in the Reset Password box. Start your Mac normally after resetting and log in with the new administrator password. This method restores access without establishing an admin account.