How To Use Fast User Switching In MacOS Big Sur - MacRumors

Skip to ContentOpen Menu

• Front Page
• Roundups Show Roundups
  • AirPods 4
  • AirPods Max
  • AirPods Pro 3
  • AirTag
  • Apple Deals
  • Apple Pay
  • Apple Pro Display XDR
  • Apple Studio Display
  • Apple TV
  • Apple Vision Pro
  • Apple Watch 11
  • Apple Watch SE 3
  • Apple Watch Ultra 3
  • CarPlay
  • HomePod
  • HomePod mini
  • iMac
  • iOS 26
  • iPad
  • iPad Air
  • iPad mini
  • iPad Pro
  • iPadOS 26
  • iPhone 16
  • iPhone 16e
  • iPhone 17
  • iPhone 17 Pro
  • iPhone 18
  • iPhone Air
  • Mac mini
  • Mac Pro
  • Mac Studio
  • MacBook Air
  • MacBook Pro
  • macOS Tahoe
  • watchOS 26
• Guides
• How Tos
• Reviews
• Buyer's Guide
• ForumsForums Show Forums menu
  • Login
  • Register
  • New Posts
  • Visit Forums

Visit Forums

• New Posts
• Login
• Register
• Visit Forums

• Alerts
• Direct messages
• Watched
• New Posts
• Visit Forums

Open Sidebar

• AirTag
• iPhone 18
• iOS 26
• macOS Tahoe
• iPadOS 26
• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17 Pro
• MacBook Pro
• iMac
• Mac mini
• HomePod
• Apple TV
• iPad Pro
• iPhone Air
• Apple Vision Pro
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16e
• AirPods 4
• Apple Pro Display XDR
• Apple Watch Ultra 3
• HomePod mini
• Mac Pro
• MacBook Air
• iPad
• AirPods Max
• AirPods Pro 3
• Apple Deals
• Apple Studio Display
• Apple Watch 11
• Apple Watch SE 3
• Mac Studio
• iPad Air
• iPad mini
• CarPlay
• Apple Pay
• watchOS 26

All >

• Front Page
• Roundups
• Guides
• How Tos
• Reviews
• Buyer's Guide
• Upcoming Products
• Forums
• Archives
• Tips / Contact Us

How to Use Fast User Switching in macOS Big SurWednesday January 20, 2021 2:45 PM PST by Tim Hardwick

In macOS Big Sur, Apple includes a feature that will be familiar to Windows users, called Fast User Switching. As the name suggests, it lets you switch user accounts quickly and easily, without having to log out or restart your Mac.

As you'd expect, multiple user accounts are kept completely separate, and backgrounded accounts still require user authentication to switch between them. So if you've been taking the slower restart route to switching between macOS user accounts, it's time to enable Fast User Switching. Here's how.

How to Enable Fast User Switching on Mac

Launch System Preferences, either by clicking on its icon in the Dock or by clicking the Apple () symbol in the menu bar and selecting System Preferences....

1. Click the Dock & Menu Bar preference pane.

2. In the side column, scroll down to "Other Modules" and choose Fast User Switching.
3. Check the box next to Show in Menu Bar or Show in Control Center (you can also check both).

That's all there is to it. You can now switch between macOS user accounts via the user button that appears in the menu bar or in the Control Center (or both), depending on your preferences.

How to Disable Fast User Switching on Mac

Launch System Preferences, either by clicking on its icon in the Dock or by clicking the Apple () symbol in the menu bar and selecting System Preferences....

1. Click the Dock & Menu Bar preference pane.

2. In the side column, scroll down to "Other Modules" and choose Fast User Switching.
3. Uncheck the box next to Show in Menu Bar or Show in Control Center (you may need to uncheck both).

After following these steps, you'll have to log out to allow another user to log in to their account.

Related Forum: macOS Big Sur

Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox.

Popular Stories

What's Coming in the M5 MacBook Air

Thursday February 26, 2026 3:57 pm PST by Juli CloverAlong with the low-cost MacBook, Apple could introduce a refreshed version of the MacBook Air next week. Most of the focus will be on the new machine, but the MacBook Air is expected to get some useful internal updates. M5 Chip The next-generation MacBook Air will adopt the M5 chip, which Apple already introduced in the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models that came out last year. Apple's M5...Read Full Article • 123 comments

Could Apple's OLED iPad Mini Finally Be a Kindle Killer?

Friday February 27, 2026 12:08 pm PST by Hartley CharltonWith a similar screen size and easy, one-handed grip, the iPad mini has always been the Apple device that overlaps most with dedicated e-readers. Now, amid rumors pointing to an OLED display for the next generation, could the iPad mini finally replace devices such as the Kindle and Kobo? The shift from LCD to OLED could make the iPad mini far more appealing as a reading device. OLED panels...Read Full Article • 150 comments

Apple Teases 'A Big Week Ahead' With Announcements Starting Monday

Thursday February 26, 2026 6:06 am PST by Joe RossignolApple CEO Tim Cook today teased "a big week ahead," with announcements starting Monday. His post included an #AppleLaunch hashtag with a colorful Apple logo, along with a short video that ultimately shows an Apple logo on the lid of a Mac. Apple is reportedly planning a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4, with up to five new products...Read Full Article • 136 comments

Next Article

Apple CarPlay is Getting a Major New Feature

Guides

iOS 26 Features

Our comprehensive guide highlighting every major new addition in iOS 26, plus how-tos that walk you through using the new features.

iOS 26.3 Features

Transfer to Android tool, new weather wallpapers, and more.

50 macOS Tahoe Features

New features and lesser-known changes to check out if you're upgrading.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone Air

Apple's four new iPhones feature more differences between the latest models than ever before, so which one should you buy?

• Apple Intelligence Guide • Image Playground Guide • iPhone Mirroring Not Working? • 21 Time-Saving iPhone Tips • 14 macOS Tips to Make Your Life Easier • One AirPod Not Working? See more guides

Upcoming

iPhone 17e Early 2026

A19 chip, MagSafe, and perhaps a Dynamic Island instead of a display notch.

Apple TV Early 2026?

Upgrade to A17 or newer chip with Apple Intelligence support, plus Apple's new N1 wireless networking chip.

Smart Home Hub Early 2026?

Squarish 7-inch screen for controlling smart home products, listening to music, making video calls, and more.

HomePod mini Early 2026?

Faster chips and new colors expected.

• Low-Cost MacBook • MacBook Air • MacBook Pro • Studio Display • Mac mini • Mac Studio • Foldable iPhone • iPhone 18 Pro See full product calendar

Other Stories

Apple CarPlay is Getting a Major New Feature

3 hours ago by Joe Rossignol

New Report Leaks Another iOS 27 Change

12 hours ago by Joe Rossignol

Apple Maps May Be Logging Places You Visit – How to Disable

4 days ago by Tim Hardwick

Text Shortcuts You Should Be Using on iPhone and Mac

4 days ago by Tim Hardwick

Apple Just Dropped a 'Big' Teaser About Next Week

4 days ago by Joe Rossignol