Make a user an administrator on your Mac, or take admin rights away

Why it happens

Mac accounts are either administrators or standard users. Only an administrator can install most apps, add users and change protected settings, so a standard account keeps asking for an admin name and password. Only an existing administrator can change who is one.

How to fix it

1. Sign in to an administrator account, or have the person who knows an admin password with you.

2. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, and click Users & Groups in the sidebar. Each account shows Admin or Standard under its name, so you can see who is an administrator.

3. Click the ⓘ next to the account you want to change. Turn on Allow this user to administer this computer to make it an admin, or turn it off to make it a standard user.

   Users & Groups›ⓘ›Allow this user to administer this computer

4. When your Mac asks, type an administrator's name and password, then click OK.

5. Ask that person to log out and back in, or restart the Mac, so the change takes hold for their account.

Still not fixed?

1. If the switch is grey, you're probably signed in to a standard account. Type an admin name and password when your Mac asks, or sign in to an admin account first.

2. Your Mac needs at least one administrator. Before you take admin rights from an account, make sure another admin account exists and that you know its password.

3. Found an admin you didn't set up? Turn its admin switch off here, then ask everyone who uses the Mac to change their password.

4. If your Mac belongs to a school or company, its managers may lock this setting, so ask them.

5. If nobody knows any administrator's password, use the password reset options at the login window. If those don't work, contact Apple Support.