You can use the same Android smartphone or tablet with several different user accounts. This multi-account feature is handy if you share your smartphone or tablet with friends or family. In this tutorial nextpit explains step by step how to add multiple user accounts on an Android smartphone or tablet.
Summary:
Multi-user functionality is primarily available on devices running stock Android, such as the Google Pixel. More recently, smartphones that support Android overlays, such as Samsung, have also introduced this feature. However, it’s been around for a long time on compatible Samsung tablets.
Multiple user profile types?
On Google devices like the Pixel 7 (test) or Google Pixel Tablet (test), you can choose from several types of profiles before creating them. Each profile does not give you the same rights to your device’s content and available services.
Also, some smartphones only entitle you to a default user profile.However, in most cases, other than main Andguest.
- guest
- user
- account
- limited profile
- child account
Introduction guest, which is the most basic pattern. It limits your access to the content and is intended for short-term use.As for personal data user, is the most complete. In fact, it gives you configuration space, from personalizing your home screen to settings.
It also enables you to install new applications or update applications for all users. However, the owner or administrator can uninstall these new applications.
and profile account It allows you to share the same Google username and password. So you don’t need to create a new Google account.
In addition, a limited profile For tablets, you can choose which apps and content to view. at last, child account is a standalone account that allows parents to control screen time and apps through the app Google Family Link.
How to add a new user on the same Android smartphone or tablet?
Adding new users is easy when the functionality is already available on your smartphone or tablet. You can do this from the lock screen if you have enabled the lock screen or from the system settings. However, you’ll need to complete setup and add their Google account so other users can gain access.
Here’s how to create a new user profile on the same Android smartphone or tablet via Settings:
- Enter set up your device’s
- press systemthen select Multi-user
- activate this option allow multiple users
- choose Add user and decide the type of profile and allow calls and text messages
- Enter a name for the new user
- Press the button configure now Continue to configure
- Enter Google accountcreate one if the user does not have one, and complete the setup
The creation of new users is done by accessing the “System Settings” in the “Settings”, where you must first activate the “Multiple Users” option. / © Xiakeng
How to switch from administrator to user?
Once a user profile is created, you can access and manage it through the same settings or via a shortcut in the drop-down menu. Here’s how to switch users directly from the home screen:
- Unlock your smartphone or tablet
- Swipe down from the top of the screen
- Click on the user icon
- chooseuser use
- Enter a password or security measure if required
In the same dashboard as you create users, you can also monitor the various user and guest profiles you create. Among other things, you can activate or deactivate voice calls and text messages, activate biometric features, and delete users and profiles.
new users can set up biometric fingerprint or face unlock / © nextpit
Which Android smartphones and tablets are compatible with the multi-user feature?
Manufacturer OnePlus has been offering this feature on its devices for years, in addition to Google Pixel smartphones and Google Pixel tablets. Multi-user functionality is already available on Samsung Galaxy tablets. However, Samsung only added it to its Android 13 smartphones with One UI 5.
The following manufacturers support this feature:
- Samsung
- one plus
- OPPO
- live
- real me
- there is nothing
- sony
- ASUS (Zenfone and ROG Phone)
- Motorola
- nokia
The multi-user features of other smartphone manufacturers (such as Xiaomi or Redmi) are disabled or hidden. It can be enabled through developer options. But that doesn’t seem to be relevant anymore, at least on the Mi 13 Pro under MIUI 14.
Does your Android smartphone or tablet have multi-user capabilities? How do you use this feature?
To take it a step further, learn how to make your Android smartphone run faster.See also how to download and install Google Play Store on Android smartphones