macOS: Merge Two Accounts Into One
Don’t need that second user account on your Mac but the data in it? It is possible. You will have to first back up all the data on this account before deleting it. This will enable you to access this data on the new account as well. Talking about deleting a user account on Mac, well, that is easy. All you need to do is read this article and follow the instructions step-by-step, and you will have all the data on your previous account carefully exported to the new one.
Export Your Data
The local files can be easily accessed via a new account, as these are stored in a disk image. Since the disk image files do not include any backup, you will have to export the data related to apps backup separately. The backup data generally includes contacts, calendars, notes, Safari bookmarks, etc., which need to be exported before merging the accounts. Turning on the iCloud Sync is the best way to do so, and if you already enabled it on your macOS, then your app data must be backed up already to iCloud. This means you just need to turn on iCloud Sync on another account to access this data. Below is the list of apps from which you can export data by turning on iCloud Sync:
- iCloud Drive
- Contacts / Calendars / Reminders
- Safari
- Notes
- Photos
Merging Two Accounts into One
Once your data is all prepared and backed up to export, you are set to merge two accounts on your macOS into one. Follow the steps below to get going:
Step 1. Start by logging into the new account, which you want to keep on your macOS.
Step 2: Once you have logged into the new account, go to the System Preferences section on your Mac.
Step 3. Then click “Users & Groups.” This will bring up a new window. Here select the lock icon located towards the bottom-left of the screen and enter the credentials of your administrative account.
Step 4. Now, take the cursor to the user account that you wish to merge with a new one.
Step 5. You will see a minus icon highlighted towards the bottom.
Step 6. Before proceeding ahead, make sure you click on the “Save the home folder in a disk image” option to access the files in the account you are about to delete.
Step 7. Finally, hit the “Delete User” button and confirm. This will delete the selected user account from your macOS.
Step 8: Now, go to the Users directory by opening Finder. Click on the “Go” button to select “Computer,” and then click on “Macintosh HD,” followed by “User.”
Step 9: Here, you will find a folder labeled “Deleted Users.” Open this folder to find the disk image named with the account you just deleted.
Step 10: On clicking the disk image, all the files in the previous account will now be accessible. You can either copy these files or import them to any app in your new account.
This was all about how to merge two macOS accounts into one. Hope we were able to make you understand the procedure.
Mia Watson is an avid technical blogger, a magazine contributor, a publisher of guides at Blogs Book, and a professional cyber security analyst. Through her writing, she aims to educate people about the dangers and threats lurking in the digital world. Visit My Site, pagesix.uk.com
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