Lend your Mac to a visitor with the Guest User account

Why it happens

Handing over your own account means your mail, messages, photos and saved passwords are all open. The Guest User is a separate, empty account with no password. When the guest logs out, the Mac wipes everything they did, so the next guest starts fresh and your files were never in reach.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click Users & Groups in the sidebar.

2. Click the info button next to Guest User and turn on Allow guests to log in to this computer. Your Mac may ask for your password.

   Users & Groups›Guest User›ⓘ›Allow guests to log in to this computer

3. Lending it to a child? Turn on Limit adult websites in the same panel.

   Users & Groups›Guest User›ⓘ›Limit adult websites

4. Log out of your own account from the Apple menu. On the login window, your visitor clicks Guest User and gets straight in, no password needed.

5. Tell them anything they want to keep must be emailed or copied to a USB drive before they finish. When they log out, the Mac deletes it all.

Still not fixed?

1. If Guest User isn't on the login window, open Lock Screen, set Login window shows to List of users and restart.

   Lock Screen›Login window shows

2. If your Mac uses FileVault, the guest gets a simpler session with only Safari. That keeps your encrypted disk locked, and it's expected.

3. Rather not log out every time? Turn on Fast User Switching in the menu bar, so you can switch to Guest User and back without closing your apps.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls›Fast User Switching

4. Visitor comes back often and wants their files kept? Make them their own Standard account with Add User instead.

   macOS 26 Tahoe Users & Groups›Add User

   macOS 27 Golden Gate Users & Groups›Add User…

5. When they've gone, you can switch Allow guests to log in to this computer back off.

6. If the guest can't log in, or the switch won't stay on after a restart, check whether a school or company manages the Mac. If not, contact Apple Support.