Set Up a Guest User Account on Mac OS X

To set up a guest account on a Mac, open the Apple menu, choose System Preferences or System Settings, then go to Users & Groups and enable Guest User. The exact labels vary by macOS version; a guest can use the Mac without a personal account, and macOS normally removes files saved in the guest’s temporary home folder after the guest signs out.

What a guest account does

A guest account is intended for occasional, supervised access—for example, letting a visitor browse the web or use an app without sharing your everyday login. It is separate from your administrator or standard user account. Guests do not need your password, and their temporary files are not meant to be retained between sessions.

Guest access is limited. A guest cannot normally change system settings that require administrator permission or install software for all users. However, signing into a guest account is not the same as making the Mac inaccessible: a person with physical access may still be able to use the guest session and any features you leave available.

Turn on Guest User

Sign in to an administrator account. You may need administrator credentials to change user settings.
Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings on newer macOS versions, or System Preferences on older versions.
Open Users & Groups. In some versions, you may need to scroll in the settings sidebar or click the lock icon and authenticate before making changes.
Select Guest User from the account list or settings pane.
Turn on Allow guests to log in to this computer, or the equivalent Guest User switch.
Review any related options shown, such as allowing guests to connect to shared folders. Leave sharing off unless you have a specific reason to allow it.

After enabling the account, sign out or return to the login window and select Guest User to check that the option appears. The Mac may ask you to close open apps or confirm a logout first. Menu wording and the position of controls differ between macOS releases, but the setting is under Users & Groups.

What the guest can access

Guest sessions use a temporary environment rather than a permanent personal account. Files saved in the guest’s home folder are generally deleted when the guest logs out. This is useful for privacy and keeping the Mac tidy, but it also means the guest should not use that session as a place to store work.

Be clear about the difference between a temporary guest home folder and shared data. Items in a shared folder, on an external drive, or in an online account may not be removed when the session ends. If you enable access to shared folders, review their permissions and contents first. Do not assume that all information a guest can reach will be erased at logout.

A guest account is also different from a standard user account. A standard account has its own persistent home folder and can keep files across logins; it is more suitable for someone who uses the Mac regularly. An administrator account can make system-wide changes, so it should not be given out simply for convenience.

How to end a guest session

Ask the guest to save anything they need somewhere they are authorized to use, then choose Log Out from the Apple menu. They can also use the account or Apple menu controls displayed in their session. When prompted, confirm the logout. Any files stored only in the temporary guest home folder are normally discarded as the session ends.

To disable guest access later, sign in to an administrator account, return to Users & Groups, select Guest User, and switch off the option that allows guests to log in. Turning off the setting prevents future guest logins; it does not convert guest files into a permanent account.

Guest account or another option?

Guest User: Best for brief access when the person should not have a persistent account. Files in the temporary home folder are normally removed at logout.
Standard user: Better for a family member or colleague who needs a lasting account and their own files and settings. Create a separate account rather than sharing your login.
Administrator: Appropriate only for someone who needs to manage the Mac. Administrators can change important settings, so keep this access limited.

For a one-time task, you may be able to use your own account while present, but that exposes the guest to your open apps, saved sessions, and files you can access. A separate account provides a clearer boundary. Guest mode is not a substitute for backing up important data or for carefully managing file-sharing and online-account access.

Common problems and practical checks

Guest User is missing: Check that you are looking under Users & Groups and that you have administrator access. Labels and layout vary across macOS versions.
The setting cannot be changed: Unlock the settings pane if a lock icon is shown, then authenticate with an administrator account. A Mac managed by a workplace or school may have restrictions set by its administrator.
Guest cannot see the login option: Confirm that guest login is enabled, then return to the login window. If the Mac is configured to log in automatically, sign out to see the available accounts.
Files seem to remain: Check whether they were saved outside the temporary home folder, such as in a shared location, on an external disk, or in a cloud service. Guest cleanup applies to temporary guest data, not every place the guest may have used.

For a shared or public Mac, review the available sharing settings and sign out of services before leaving the computer unattended. If the guest option is controlled by an organization, contact its administrator rather than trying to bypass its management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Mac guest account need a password?
Guest User is designed for temporary access without creating a separate password-protected personal account. The Mac itself may still require a password when changing settings or returning to another user.

Are guest account files deleted after logout?
Files in the temporary guest home folder are normally removed when the guest signs out. Files saved to shared folders, external storage, or online services may remain.

Can a guest install apps on a Mac?
A guest generally cannot make administrator-level system changes. App behavior can depend on how an app is installed and what permissions it requires, so do not treat guest mode as a guarantee that no changes can be made anywhere.

Can I keep files from a guest session?
Do not rely on the guest home folder for storage. Before signing out, move needed files to a location the guest is permitted to use, and understand that shared or external locations may retain them.

How do I remove or disable Guest User?
In an administrator account, open Users & Groups, select Guest User, and turn off the guest-login option. This disables access for future sessions; it does not create a permanent account from the guest session.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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