Introduction:
Having multiple MacOS accounts is a common scenario in today’s digital world. You may have separate user accounts for work and personal use, or you might have one account for your Mac and another for your partner or family member. Maintaining multiple accounts can be tiresome, and you may find yourself constantly logging in and out of different profiles, transferring files or syncing settings. Fortunately, there is a secret trick that can help you combine two MacOS accounts and simplify your digital life like a pro. Let’s discover how.
Step 1: Understand what you want to combine
Before you start merging your MacOS accounts, you need to understand what you want to combine. Are you trying to share files and documents between two separate accounts? Or are you attempting to consolidate two accounts into one user account, so that you do not have to log in and out of different profiles? Knowing what you want to achieve will guide you through the process.
Step 2: Use the built-in Migration Assistant
The first step in combining two MacOS accounts is to use the Migration Assistant. This tool allows you to transfer data and account settings from one account to another. You can find the Migration Assistant in your Applications > Utilities folder. Open the Migration Assistant, and select the option “From another Mac, PC or Time Machine backup”. Follow the prompts to select the account you wish to move data from, and the account you wish to move data to. The Migration Assistant will transfer your files, documents, applications, and user settings.
Step 3: Merge your contacts and calendar events
Once you have transferred your files and settings, you may want to merge your contacts and calendar events. Combining contacts and calendars can ensure that you have accurate information across all accounts. To merge contacts, open the Contacts app and select the option “Import” from the “File” menu. Choose the file with the contacts you want to import, and follow the prompts. To merge calendars, open the Calendar app and select the option “Accounts”. Click on the “+” button, and select “Google” or “Exchange” account. Enter your login details for the account, and make sure to use the same login details for all your accounts. This will sync your calendars across multiple devices and accounts.
Step 4: Delete unnecessary user accounts
Now that you have combined your data and settings, it is time to delete any unnecessary user accounts. Go to “System Preferences”, and select “Users & Groups”. Select the user account you no longer need, and click on the “-” button to delete the account. You may be prompted to enter an administrator password to delete the account. Once you have removed the account, make sure the login settings are configured correctly for the remaining accounts.
Conclusion:
Combining two MacOS accounts is a simple process that can save you time and simplify your digital life. By using the built-in Migration Assistant and merging your contacts and calendar events, you can consolidate your data and settings across different accounts. Deleting unnecessary accounts will also help tidy up your system and ensure that you have a streamlined user experience. With these tricks, you can manage your digital life like a pro.
If you have two user accounts on macOS and want to merge them into one, a simple solution would be to first back up the data of one account, then delete it. macOS doesn’t offer any simpler way to merge two accounts. This tutorial shows how to back up and archive the data of one account, move it over to the other account, and lastly, merge the two macOS accounts together.
Export Your Data
The method we are using to merge both accounts relies on merging the local files present on the system. All the local files present in a user’s Home folder are saved in a disk image, which can be accessed on the new account. Since the local files do not include any app backups, you’ll need to export this data separately.
The first step before merging the two accounts is to export all of your basic data. This includes contacts, reminders, calendars, notes, Safari bookmarks, etc. If iCloud Sync is enabled on your device, your data should automatically be backed up to iCloud. Turning on iCloud Sync will help you access it on your other account.
If you don’t use iCloud Sync, you can create an Apple ID and sync all data with it. If you do this, log in to the iCloud account on your other account, which will allow you to access your data.
You can also choose to export the data from the specific apps:
- iCloud Drive: open any iCloud Drive folder in Finder and copy any documents to a locally stored location.Mail: drag any downloaded messages from the online account to a local folder on your Mac.Contacts / Calendars / Reminders: use the Export feature (File -> Export) to extract this data.Safari: select “File -> Export Bookmarks.”Notes: there is no built-in way to export the data, but you can use this free exporter to export your notes into a plain text format.Photos: the only option to transfer your Photos library from one account to another is to sync it through iCloud Photos.
Merging Two Accounts Into One
This method will merge the data of both accounts into one by deleting the old account and saving its data in a disk image. Hence, it is recommended to make another backup of the data, either on Time Machine or on a local drive before proceeding. This is to ensure that you don’t lose any data unintentionally.
In the newer account (the one you want to keep), open System Preferences on your Mac. Later versions of macOS label the System Preferences app as “System Settings.”
Select “Users & Groups.” Once opened, click on the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your administrative password. Newer versions of macOS do not require the lock icon to be toggled to make changes.
Select the user account you want to delete and merge with another. If you see an “i” glyph to the right of the user, then click that icon instead.
Click on the minus icon at the bottom of the list.
If you’re using a newer version of macOS, select the red “Delete Account …” button.
macOS will ask how to proceed. Select “Save the home folder in a disk image.” Make sure you choose the disk image option to give you access to the files in it.
Click “Delete User” and confirm. If you’re running a newer version of macOS, the delete button will be labeled “Delete Account.”
Locate a Deleted User’s Data
When you open the Users directory (Finder -> Go -> Computer -> Macintosh HD -> Users), you’ll see a folder named “Deleted Users.” Within this folder, you’ll see a disk image with the name of the account you deleted.
When you double-click on the disk image to mount it, you’ll be able to access all the files that were present in the Home folder of the previous user account. Similarly, you can copy the files over or import the data in any app that offers to bring the material over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Image credit: Kaitlyn Baker via Unsplash All screenshots taken by Brahm Shank
Can I mount a disk image using Windows 11 to transfer my macOS data to a PC?
Yes. However, you will need a third-party app like DMG Extractor to extract the user data from the disk image file. Disk image file extensions are native to macOS. If you are making the switch to PC, be sure to discover our tips for macOS users switching to Windows.
When combining data between two users on the Mac, how can I locate specific files?
Oftentimes you may only want to combine a portion of the user data from one Home folder before you migrate it to another user’s Home folder. If you know the name of the file you are looking for within a user’s Home folder, you can launch Terminal in the current folder to pinpoint specific data.
How do I reveal hidden files in a user’s Home folder before combining the user data into one account?
If you’re having trouble locating some of the files from the deleted user account, you can access the Home folder using the Terminal app to manage the visibility attributes of files and even add/remove hidden file flags. Read on to learn how to unhide files inside a user’s Home folder.
Self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur and tech enthusiast Brahm Shank is captivated by the impact of consumer tech: “It’s profoundly moving when people discover that the phone in their pocket or the tiny computer on their wrist has the power to enrich their lives in ways they never imagined.” Apple, Inc. and its unique position at the intersection of technology and the creative arts, resonates deeply with Brahm and his passion for helping people unleash their potential using technology. Over the years, Brahm has held various podcasts - including famed technologist David Pogue of The New York Times on topics such as Big Tech and digital wellness.
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