How to Create or Change Admin on Mac

Do you need to create a new administrator account on your Mac? Perhaps you want to grant another user full access to your system, or maybe you simply want to change the name associated with your current admin profile. This guide will walk you through the straightforward steps to both create a new administrator account and modify the settings of an existing one on your macOS.

Understanding Administrator Privileges on macOS

An administrator account on your Mac has the highest level of privileges. This means an admin user can:

• Install and uninstall applications.
• Change system settings.
• Manage other user accounts.
• Access all files and folders on the system.

Because of these extensive permissions, it’s important to manage administrator accounts carefully and only grant these privileges to trusted users.

Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1: Accessing User & Groups Settings: The first step to managing administrator accounts is to navigate to the User & Groups settings on your Mac.

1. Open System Settings: Click on the Apple menu located in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select “System Settings”: From the dropdown menu, click on “System Settings”.

Step 2: Go to Users & Group: Once the System Settings window is open, you’ll need to find the section for managing user accounts.

1. Scroll Down: In the left-hand sidebar of the System Settings window, scroll down until you find “Users & Groups”.
2. Click “Users & Groups”: Tap on the “Users & Groups” option.

Method 1: Creating a New Administrator Account

If you need to create a brand new administrator account on your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Unlock Settings (if necessary): In the Users & Groups pane, you might see a lock icon at the bottom. If so, click on it and enter your current administrator password to make changes.
2. Add a New User: Click on the “+” (Add User) button located below the list of users on the left.
3. Choose Account Type: At the top of the “New User” sheet, you’ll see a dropdown menu labeled “New Account”. Click on this and select “Administrator”.
4. Enter User Details:
   • Full Name: Enter the desired full name for the new administrator account (e.g., “Family,” “Second Admin”).
   • Account Name: The system will automatically suggest an account name based on the full name. You can edit this if you prefer. This is the username the user will use to log in.
   • Password: Enter a strong and unique password for the new administrator account.
   • Verify: Re-enter the password to confirm.
   • Password Hint (Optional): You can provide a hint to help the user remember their password.
5. Create User: Once you’ve filled in all the necessary information, click the “Create User” button.

The new administrator account will now be listed in the Users & Groups pane. The user associated with this account will have full administrative privileges when they log in.

Method 2: Changing the Name or Other Advanced Options of an Existing Admin Account

If you want to change the name associated with your current administrator account or access other advanced settings, follow these steps:

1. Unlock Settings (if necessary): As mentioned in Method 1, click the lock icon at the bottom of the Users & Groups pane and enter your administrator password if prompted.
2. Control-Click (or Right-Click) the Admin Account: In the list of users on the left, Control-click (hold down the Control key while clicking) or right-click on the administrator account you want to modify.
3. Select “Advanced Options…”: From the context menu that appears, click on “Advanced Options…”.
4. Enter Password (if necessary): You might be asked to enter your administrator password again to proceed.
5. Modify Settings: In the “Advanced Options” sheet, you can change several settings:
   • User ID: This is a unique numerical identifier for the user. It’s generally not recommended to change this unless you have a specific reason.
   • Full Name: You can change the display name associated with the account.
   • Account Name: You can also change the username used for logging in. Be cautious when changing the Account Name, as it can affect file paths and permissions.
   • Group: This specifies the groups the user belongs to. For an administrator, it should include “admin.”
   • Home Directory: This is the location of the user’s personal files. Avoid changing this unless you are an advanced user.
   • Login Shell: This specifies the command-line interpreter used by the user. The default (/bin/bash) is usually appropriate.
6. Click “OK”: Once you’ve made the desired changes, click the “OK” button.

The changes you made to the administrator account will now be saved.

Important Security Considerations

• Strong Passwords: Always use strong, unique passwords for all administrator accounts.
• Limit Admin Accounts: Only create administrator accounts for users who genuinely need full system access. For regular users, create standard user accounts with limited privileges.
• Be Cautious with Advanced Options: Only modify advanced user settings if you understand their implications. Incorrect changes can lead to system instability or data access issues.

Conclusion

Managing administrator accounts on your Mac is a crucial aspect of system security and user management. By following these steps, you can easily create new administrator accounts or modify the settings of existing ones. Remember to always prioritize security and grant administrator privileges only when necessary.