Introduction
Knowing how to switch users on a Mac is essential if you share your computer with family, colleagues, or roommates. Rather than logging out and logging back in—which closes every open app and document—Fast User Switching lets you move between accounts in seconds without disrupting anyone’s work. Your session stays running in the background, exactly as you left it, while the other person uses the computer.
This guide covers every method to switch users, from the simple menu bar click to advanced Terminal commands. For the absolute quickest keyboard shortcuts, see our Mac user switching keyboard shortcuts guide . If you need to create a new user account first, our adding and managing user accounts on Mac guide walks through the setup.
Enable Fast User Switching First
Before you can switch users on a Mac quickly, you must enable the feature. Here’s how:
- Open System Settings from the Apple menu ().
- Scroll down to Control Center in the sidebar.
- Scroll to Fast User Switching at the bottom.
- Choose how it appears in the menu bar: Full name, Account name, or Icon only.
- Optionally, enable Show in Control Center for another access point.
Once enabled, your current user name or icon appears in the top‑right corner of the menu bar. You now have instant access to all user switching methods.
Method 1: Switch Users from the Menu Bar
The menu bar is the most convenient way to switch users on a Mac for most people.
- Click your user name or icon in the top‑right corner of the menu bar.
- Select the other user account from the dropdown list.
- If the account is password‑protected, enter the password at the login screen.
Your current session stays active in the background. All open apps, documents, and browser tabs remain exactly as you left them. To return to your session, repeat the same steps from the other account.
Method 2: Switch Users from the Lock Screen
If the Mac is already locked or at the login screen, you can switch users without logging in.
- At the login screen, move your mouse pointer over the user list.
- Click the account you want to switch to.
- Enter the password (or use Touch ID if available).
If you’re already logged in and want to reach the lock screen instantly, use the keyboard shortcut Control + Command + Q. This locks your screen without logging you out, and the lock screen displays all available user accounts. For more lock screen and login window methods, see our switching users from the lock screen guide .
Method 3: Switch Users with Touch ID or Apple Watch
If your Mac has a Touch ID sensor, you can switch users on a Mac with your fingerprint. At the login screen or lock screen, simply place your registered finger on the Touch ID button. The system automatically recognizes which user account your fingerprint belongs to and switches to that account instantly.
If you have an Apple Watch paired with your Mac, you can also use it to authenticate. When you’re at the login screen, your watch can unlock the Mac and switch to your account without typing a password. For a complete setup guide on biometric switching, read our Touch ID and Apple Watch user switching guide .
Method 4: Keyboard Shortcut for Fast User Switching
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to switch users on a Mac once you learn them. While there is no single dedicated shortcut for fast user switching, these combinations speed up the process:
- Control + Command + Q – Locks your screen and shows the login window with all user accounts.
- Press Touch ID (Power button) on Apple Silicon Macs – If multiple fingerprints are registered for different users, this switches directly to that user’s account.
For a complete list of user‑switching shortcuts for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, see our keyboard shortcuts for Mac user switching guide .
Method 5: Switch Users via Terminal Commands
Advanced users can switch users on a Mac from the command line using Terminal. This is useful for remote administration, scripting, or when the graphical interface isn’t accessible.
To switch to another user account without logging out, first verify that Fast User Switching is enabled in System Settings. The command to switch users via Terminal is:
text
sudo launchctl asuser 501 /usr/bin/open -n /System/Library/CoreServices/loginwindow.app
In this command, 501 is the user ID of the account you want to switch to. In a corporate environment or multi‑user household where you need to distinguish between switching to different users quickly, the command /usr/bin/su - username lets you switch to that user’s shell session directly. For a complete breakdown of both commands, including how to find a user’s ID and how to grapically switch back to your original session, see our Terminal user switching guide .
Method 6: Switch Users in macOS Recovery
If you’re performing system maintenance and need to switch users on a Mac from Recovery Mode, the options are limited. After booting into Recovery Mode (press and hold the Power button on Apple Silicon, or hold Command + R on Intel), you can use Disk Utility or reinstall macOS, but you cannot switch between user accounts. For regular use, always rely on the menu bar, lock screen, or biometric methods described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does switching users log me out?
No. Fast User Switching keeps your session active in the background. All your open apps and documents remain exactly as you left them.
Can I switch users while someone else’s apps are running?
Yes. Both users can be logged in simultaneously with their own apps running. macOS handles resource allocation automatically.
What happens if I shut down while another user is logged in?
The currently active user receives a warning that other users are logged in. Shutting down will close all open user sessions, and unsaved work will be lost.
Can I limit which users can use fast user switching?
Fast User Switching is available for all accounts on the Mac. You can restrict which accounts exist using Parental Controls in System Settings.