Have you ever wondered how to change the admin on your Mac? It’s a common question among Mac users, especially those who share their devices with others. Fortunately, changing the admin on your Mac is a straightforward process that can be done in just a few steps. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process and provide some tips to help you along the way.
Steps
Step 1: Log in as an admin
The first step in changing the admin on your Mac is to log in as an admin. Without admin privileges, you won’t be able to make any changes to your user account or the system settings.
Step 2: Open System Preferences
Once you’re logged in as an admin, open System Preferences from the Apple menu or by clicking on the System Preferences icon in the Dock.
Step 3: Click on Users & Groups
In System Preferences, click on the Users & Groups icon. This will bring up a list of all the user accounts on your Mac.
Step 4: Click on the lock icon
To make changes to the user accounts, you need to click on the lock icon in the bottom left-hand corner of the window. You’ll need to enter your admin username and password to unlock the settings.
Step 5: Select the user account you want to change
Once you’ve unlocked the settings, select the user account that you want to change from the list on the left-hand side of the window.
Step 6: Click on the minus sign to delete the user account
To change the admin on your Mac, you’ll first need to delete the existing admin user account. To do this, click on the minus sign at the bottom of the list of user accounts. You’ll be prompted to confirm the deletion.
Step 7: Create a new admin user account
After you’ve deleted the old admin user account, you’ll need to create a new one. To do this, click on the plus sign at the bottom of the list of user accounts. Fill in the required details for the new admin account, including the account name, password, and password hint.
Step 8: Verify the new admin account
Once you’ve created the new admin account, you’ll need to verify it by logging out of your current account and logging in as the new admin. Make sure you test the new admin account thoroughly before proceeding.
Step 9: Log in as the new admin
Log out of your current account and log in as the new admin account that you just created. Make sure that you have all the necessary privileges and permissions as the admin.
Step 10: Transfer ownership of files and folders
Now that you’re logged in as the new admin, transfer ownership of any files and folders that were owned by the old admin account. This will ensure that you have full access to all the files and folders on your Mac.
Step 11: Delete the old admin account
Finally, once you’ve confirmed that everything is working properly with the new admin account, you can delete the old admin account. This will clean up your user accounts and ensure that you don’t accidentally use the old admin account in the future.
Step 12: Restart your Mac
After deleting the old admin account, it’s a good idea to restart your Mac to make sure that all the changes have taken effect. Once your Mac has restarted, log in as the new admin account and make sure that everything is working as expected.
Explanation
So, why do you need to change the admin on your Mac? There are several reasons why you might want to do this. For example, if you’re sharing your Mac with someone else, you might want to create a new admin account for them so that they can make changes to the system settings. Alternatively, if you’re no longer using your old admin account, you might want to delete it to clean up your user accounts.
Regardless of the reason, changing the admin on your Mac is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to create a new admin account, transfer ownership of files and folders, and delete the old admin account. This will ensure that you have full control over your Mac and that it’s set up to meet your needs.
Tips and Tricks
1. Always back up your files before making any changes to your Mac.
2. Make sure that you have all the necessary privileges and permissions before deleting any user accounts.
3. If you’re unsure about any of the steps in this guide, consult the official Apple Support website or a professional Mac technician.
4. Don’t forget to transfer ownership of all the files and folders that were owned by the old admin account.
5. If you have multiple admin accounts, make sure that you’re logged in as the correct account before making any changes.
6. Choose a strong password for your new admin account and make sure that it’s stored securely.
7. If you’re sharing your Mac with someone else, consider creating a standard user account for them instead of an admin account.
8. Regularly check the list of user accounts on your Mac to make sure that there are no unauthorized accounts.
9. If you’re having trouble with any of the steps in this guide, try restarting your Mac or contacting Apple Support for assistance.
10. Finally, always keep your Mac up-to-date with the latest software updates to ensure that it’s running smoothly and securely.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Changing Admin on Mac
Advantages
1. Increased Security: Changing the admin account on your Mac can increase its security. You can create a separate admin account to manage system settings and another account to use for everyday tasks, limiting the potential damage if the non-admin account is compromised.
2. Better Access Control: With multiple admin accounts, you can control access to sensitive information on your Mac. Assign specific permissions to different admin accounts to ensure that only authorized individuals can view and edit data.
3. Easier Troubleshooting: Having multiple admin accounts can make it easier to troubleshoot problems on your Mac. If an issue arises, logging into the admin account can help you diagnose the problem.
4. Improved Productivity: With multiple accounts, each user can personalize settings, install apps, and store files without interfering with others’ data. This can improve productivity by allowing everyone to have their own settings and preferences.
5. Better User Management: Changing the admin account on your Mac can improve user management. You can create, modify or delete user accounts from the admin account, making it easier to manage multiple accounts.
6. Peace of Mind: Knowing that each user has their account can give you peace of mind, especially in shared households or workgroups. Each individual can have their user account, and they can use their passwords and settings.
7. Better Organization: With multiple accounts, you can keep files and apps organized and separate from each other. This can help you quickly find files and documents that you need without digging through another user’s file archives.
8. Enhanced Privacy: Multiple accounts can help preserve privacy. Having a separate account with a password can prevent individuals from snooping on your files or viewing your browsing history.
9. More Flexibility: Multiple accounts allow you to switch between user profiles easily. If one user needs to take over a task, they can log in and pick up where the last person left off.
10. Peace of Mind for Parents: Multiple accounts can help parents better monitor their children’s activity online. They can set up accounts for each child with specific restrictions, so they only have access to content appropriate for their age.
Disadvantages
1. Higher Costs: Multiple accounts mean more licenses and potentially more expensive software. Each account will need its software installed, and each license will add to the overall cost of the system.
2. Confusing User Interface: While a more organized system may make it easier to find specific files or documents, it can also lead to confusion. If you are unsure who has saved what, searching for the correct file can become a challenge.
3. More Passwords to Manage: When you create multiple accounts, you create multiple sets of passwords, which can be difficult to manage. It is essential to remember different passwords for each account to access your files and applications.
4. Duplicating Apps and Data: Every user will need their apps and data, leading to duplication and additional storage needs. It may also lead to the possibility of having multiple versions of the same app on your Mac.
5. Increased System Administration: Maintaining multiple accounts can be time-consuming and lead to additional system administration tasks. Each account will require added time for maintenance and updates, which can become tedious.
6. Security Risks: While creating multiple accounts can improve security, it can also lead to new security risks, such as weak passwords or lost login information. Cybersecurity should be a high priority when creating new accounts.
7. Limited Resource Sharing: Multiple accounts can lead to the limited sharing of system resources, such as printers or external hard drives, between users. It may require additional configurations to allow for ample sharing.
8. Reduced Performance: Multiple accounts can lead to reduced performance, particularly on older or lower-powered Macs. The additional accounts may take up valuable system resources, leading to slower performance overall.
9. Compatibility Concerns: Multiple accounts may lead to compatibility issues, such as drivers, applications, or software that may not work on all accounts. Each account may require varied software or hardware, leading to compatibility concerns.
10. User Error: Multiple accounts can lead to user error when users make changes or adjustments to the system settings or user environment. These changes could create problems for other users on the Mac, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
FAQ
1. Why do I need to change the admin on my Mac?
Changing the admin on your Mac is important to ensure the security of your device and its data. It also gives you control over who can access your device and the actions they can perform.
2. How do I know if I am the admin on my Mac?
You can check your admin status by opening the System Preferences and clicking on “Users & Groups.” Your account name will be labeled “Admin” if you have admin rights.
3. Can I change the admin account to a regular user account?
Yes, you can demote an admin account to a regular user account by creating a new admin account and then changing the permissions of the existing admin account.
4. Can I delete the admin account on my Mac?
No, you cannot delete the admin account on your Mac as it is necessary for the proper functioning of your device. However, you can disable it by creating a new admin account and then removing the admin privileges from the old account.
5. How do I create a new admin account?
You can create a new admin account by going to the System Preferences and clicking on “Users & Groups.” Click on the lock icon to make changes and then click on the “+” sign to add a new account. Choose “Administrator” as the type of account.
6. Can I change the username of the admin account?
Yes, you can change the username of the admin account by going to the System Preferences and clicking on “Users & Groups.” Select the admin account you want to rename and click on the “Advanced Options” button. From there, you can change the username.
7. What happens to the files of the old admin account when I create a new one?
The files of the old admin account will still remain on your device. You can transfer ownership to the new admin account by changing the permissions of the files or by using the “sudo” command in the Terminal.
8. Can I assign admin privileges to a regular user account?
Yes, you can assign admin privileges to a regular user account by going to the System Preferences and clicking on “Users & Groups.” Select the account you want to give admin rights to and then click on “Allow user to administer this computer.”
9. How do I remove admin privileges from an account?
You can remove admin privileges from an account by going to the System Preferences and clicking on “Users & Groups.” Select the account you want to remove admin rights from and then click on the “-“ sign to delete the account.
10. Can I change the password of the admin account?
Yes, you can change the password of the admin account by going to the System Preferences and clicking on “Users & Groups.” Select the admin account and then click on “Change Password.”
11. Can I set up a guest account on my Mac?
Yes, you can set up a guest account on your Mac. Go to the System Preferences and click on “Users & Groups.” Click on the lock icon to make changes and then click on the “+” sign to add a new account. Choose “Guest” as the type of account.
12. Can I limit the actions a user can perform on my Mac?
Yes, you can limit the actions a user can perform on your Mac by setting up Parental Controls. Go to the System Preferences and click on “Parental Controls.” Choose the user you want to apply the controls to and then customize the settings as desired.
13. What do I do if I forget the password for my admin account?
If you forget the password for your admin account, you can reset it by restarting your Mac and holding down the Command and R keys until you see the Apple logo. Then, select “Reset Password” from the Utilities menu and follow the prompts.
How to Change Admin on Mac
As a Mac user, there may come a time when you need to change the administrator account on your computer. Maybe you’ve hired a new employee, or you need to transfer ownership of the device to someone else. Whatever the reason, changing the admin on your Mac is a relatively simple process. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to change admin on Mac step by step.
Conclusion and Closing
Changing the admin on your Mac doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following the steps we’ve laid out in this article, you can easily change admin on your Mac and ensure that your computer is in the right hands. Remember to choose an account with strong credentials and to document the changes you’ve made for future reference. If you encounter any issues during this process, don’t hesitate to reach out to Apple Support for assistance. Thank you for reading and goodbye!