Admin control over shared macbook

Question

Admin control over shared macbook

is it possible and how exactly could someone

set up a MacBook to have an admin account which does not have access to the other users account (for purposes of privacy)

(could probably still remove user that’s fine)

yet the second account has no restrictions other than to wipe the device or remove main admin, and allows the MacBook to be trackable etc via that admin apple account?

Reason Im asking is my mother has a MacBook Pro she rarely uses, and I have recently got fed up with windows pc. Her concern if she allows me to use it is I might mess up her data, possibly lose or sell (🤦‍♂️) the MacBook. Mine is that once upon a time we tried this and her being admin I was locked out of doing so much needing her password even though I was on my account with my appleid.

can we both have admin privileges to said point above, and retain our privacy? I would be using it most of the time.

thanks

Posted on Mar 6, 2025 2:18 AM

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Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

68,450 points

Mar 6, 2025 10:24 AM in response to Minimeanienope

Since the laptop belongs to your mother, then she should definitely be the admin. She can create a Standard User account for you where you can use any of the installed apps and customize your user account as you wish, but you will be blocked from any system wide changes. And without the admin password, you will not be able to access your mother's user account & data.

Otherwise, you should consider getting your own Mac.

Another option would be to try out Linux Mint on your Windows PC to see if Linux Mint is a better fit for you. You will need to learn a new OS though. Linux is not for everyone, but it can be a good option for some people. You can check it out before actually installing it by choosing the "Live" option when booting the Linux Mint USB installer. You should be able to install Linux next to Windows if you have sufficient storage, otherwise you will want to make sure to have a bootable Windows USB installer pre-made & tested before erasing the Windows system. Also make sure you have a good backup of any important data.

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Admin control over shared macbook

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