How to Add User Accounts to Android

If you have kids you’ll be used to them wanting to borrow your phone or tablet to play games or listen to music, but perhaps you don’t really want them near your own apps and data where they might break something. Adding user accounts to Android is a great way to keep other users of your device out of your business, and can also make it easier to apply parental controls.

To add a user account to your Google phone or tablet that person will need their own Google account, which is now possible even for kids with Family Link. (If it’s your own Google account you want to add to the device you would be better off adding it to your own account.)

Do note that any users added to your phone will be able to accept updated app permissions, so only share your device with people you trust. On the other hand, since you have the Admin account you’ll be able to uninstall apps and remove storage space on user accounts.

Here’s how to get started with Android user accounts:

• Open the Settings menu and scroll down to and select System
• Choose Advanced to see more options
• Select Multiple Users
• Click + Add user to create a new account and click Ok to the pop-up warning
• A second pop-up will prompt you to set up the new user – click Set Up Now to switch to the user account
• Click Continue
• Enter the Google ID login credentials for the new account as prompted
• Agree to the Terms of Service and accept the privacy policy as prompted
• Set a PIN, passcode or fingerprint as prompted
• Set up Voice Match for Google Assistant as prompted
• You’ll then be offered options to add another email account, change the font size, change the wallpaper and review additional apps. Choose any of these or click No thanks

To switch back to the main user account fully expand the notification bar, click on the profile icon and select Owner.

Read more Android tips & tricks.