How to create and manage users in Android step by step

If you share your Android phone with family, friends, or coworkers, it's important to know that you can create different users or profiles on the device. This feature will allow you to keep your private data and offer each person a personalized space with their own applications and settings.

Furthermore, the multi-user system is also very useful for organizing your own digital life: for example, creating a profile of independent work from your personal profile, or a specific space for children with restrictions on use and content.

In this article, we will explain everything about the user management in AndroidWe'll cover what types of profiles exist, how to create, delete, and switch between them, how to control what is shared, and what additional options you have as a device administrator. We'll also look at security, performance, and practical usage tips so you can get the most out of this functionality.

What are users in Android?

Within the Android system, each user has their own separate space on the device. This means that each profile can have its own starting screenGoogle settings, apps, and accounts. It's like having multiple devices in onebut sharing the same hardware.

A user can configure their own mail accountsCloud services, social networks, messaging apps and personalization settings (backgrounds, icons, sounds, etc.), without any of that being visible to other users of the same mobile phone or tablet.

This feature is especially useful when you share the mobile or the tablet with other people, since each user can access their apps and data without interfering with others. Furthermore, it's a key tool for protect your privacy without needing to lend the "unlocked" device with your main account.

It is important not to confuse the Android users with the google accountsA user account applies to the entire device and can include multiple Google accounts or other services; whereas a Google account is just one of many accounts you can link within the same user profile.

Types of users and profiles in Android

In Android there are different types of users and profiles that you can create depending on your specific needsDepending on the device (mobile or tablet) and the manufacturer's customization layer, you may see all or only some of them, but the general idea is the same.

Administrator (device owner): This is the primary user account created when the device is turned on for the first time. total control On the mobile or tablet, you can add, edit and delete other users, activate or deactivate the multiple user function, allow calls and messages to other profiles and define restrictions.
Normal user: It has its own space with settings, apps, and accounts. You can customize the device almost like an administrator, but some features may be limited. restricted by the owner (for example, creating new users or modifying system settings).
Guest Profile: Ideal for when someone needs to use your mobile phone temporary without accessing your personal information. The guest profile can be easily deleted with a tap to remove all its activity, perfect for lending the device occasionally.
Restricted profile (especially on tablets): Available primarily on some tablets, it allows you to restrict access to certain apps and settings. It's very useful for parental controlbecause you can decide which apps are displayed, what content is accessible, or whether purchases can be made.
User under the age of 18 (with parental controls): On some devices, you can add a child account linked to Google Family Link. From there you can manage screen time, allowed apps, content filters and more, from the mobile phone of the parents or guardians.

Please note that the option to add multiple user profiles It's not available on absolutely all Android phones. Some manufacturers include it without issue (for example, on phones with near-stock Android or many tablets), while others hide or disable it. If you don't clearly see the setting, search for the term in the Settings search bar. «users» o "several users".

How to activate and manage multiple users on Android

Activate the option multiple users On Android, it's a simple process, but it can vary slightly depending on the brand and the version of the custom interface. Even so, the standard procedure is usually very similar.

These are the general steps to enable the feature:

Open the app Settings on your device.
Look for the option System (in some layers it may appear as Users and accounts or similar).
Access the section Multiple users o Users.
Activate the option Allow multiple users o Use multiple users.

If you can't find this exact path on your mobile device, enter the word in the settings search bar. «users»If the section appears, you can configure it; if not, it is likely that the manufacturer has decided not to include this function in that model.

Add a new user

Once the feature is activated, you can create additional profiles for people who will be using the device. on a regular basis, such as family members or co-workers:

Inside the section Multiple users, click on Add user.
Read the notice that explains what that user will be able to do and press Accept to continue.
Assign a name to profile and, if the system allows it, decides whether it can perform calls and send SMSIf you disable these options, that user will only be able to make emergency calls.
The system will ask you if you want Configure now The new user. If the person is with you, tap on Set up now To complete the initial setup (Wi-Fi, Google account, lock method, fingerprint, etc.). If not, choose Not now and the user will be able to configure it the next time they log in.

The initial setup process is very similar to that of a new mobile phone, but it only affects the newly created profileThe primary user and their data remain intact in parallel.

Update and edit a user

The editing options for each profile are quite basic, but sufficient to identify each person in the user switching menu:

Opens Settings and enters System > Multiple Users (or the equivalent path on your mobile).
Click on your user name (You can only edit the profile that is currently active).
Change the profile name and touches Accept.
If you want, play the profile picture to take a new photo or choose one from the gallery.

As an administrator, you can also decide which profiles have permission to make calls and send SMS messages. This setting is usually found in the same user menu, with an option like Activate calls or similar, which helps prevent malicious use or pranks with your line.

Switch between users

Switching users on Android is quick and doesn't require you to close everything you're doing; the system keeps the other profile's session running in the background.

From the top of the screen, swipe down to open the Notification bar.
Scroll down again to see the quick settings.
Click on the user icon (it usually appears next to the Settings gear or the clock).
Select the user account whichever one you want to change to.
Enter the PIN, password or pattern that has that profile configured, if applicable.

On some devices, you can also switch users from within the app itself. lock screenBy swiping down, you'll see the current user's avatar, and by tapping it, you can switch between profiles or even create a new one if the administrator has allowed it. Add users from the lock screen.

Create and use the guest profile

Guest mode is intended for use punctual, such as lending your mobile phone to someone to make a few calls, check a website or use a specific app without exposing your private data.

Go to Settings > System > Multiple Users.
Press on add guest or activate the guest user.
Decide if that guest can calls or use mobile data (many systems block it by default).
When you finish using the mobile phone, go back into the user menu and select Delete guest activity o Remove guest to erase everything I've done.

The guest profile features major limitationsYou cannot access contacts, messages, photos, or anything linked to the primary user's Google account. If you download apps, you must do so with a different Google account. Furthermore, Android only supports one only active guest at once.

Delete a user

If there comes a time when you no longer need a profile, you can delete it completelyThis frees up space and resources, but you must be very clear that that user's data will be lost.

Go to Settings > System > Multiple Users.
Click on the gear icon or the username you want to delete (it cannot be the one that is in use at that moment).
Choose Delete user o Remove user and confirm the action.

The process is usually almost immediate and it is not reversibleAll photos, files, accounts, settings, and apps associated with that profile are deleted from internal storage.

What is shared and what is not shared between users

Android does a very good job of separating each user's data, but certain elements are, by design, shared at the device level. Understanding this difference is key to knowing the extent to which your information is protected.

Data that is shared among all users

Application updates: If an app is installed on multiple profiles, the updates from Google Play These changes are applied at the system level. This means that all users will see the new version, even though their internal data remains separate.
Incoming phone calls: Calls arriving on the device's line The phone rings. Regardless of which user is active (some brands allow for customization of this behavior). Call logs, however, are kept separate for each user.
Physical storage space: Although each user has their own "compartment" of files and apps, the total storage The device's storage is shared. If several users download many large files, the internal memory can fill up easily.
Data and Wi-Fi connection: The use of mobile data or Wi‑Fi It's shared by all users. One profile can use up the data allowance, and that will affect the others, even though they can't see each other's data.
Some system settings: Settings such as saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth enabled or disabled, and certain system parameters can be applied to the entire device, not just a specific user.

Data that is not shared between users

Contacts and call history: Each user has their own own agenda and their own call log. Saved contacts and recent calls are not visible on other profiles.
Personal files: Photos, videos, documents, and downloads that each user saves are stored in a private folder. Other profiles cannot access them. personal files without special permits.
Applications and internal data: Even if two users install the same app (for example, WhatsApp or a social network), the internal data The app's data (chats, history, settings) is completely independent. Furthermore, uninstalling an app from one profile does not delete it from the others.
Notifications: Each user only sees their own. notifications When your profile is active, notifications from other users are not displayed in your notification bar, adding an extra layer of privacy.
SMS and emails: Text messages and emails are associated with the accounts set up in each profile, so only the user who added them can view them.

A practical example: if you install WhatsApp on one user's account, it won't be directly available to everyone else. Another user can install the same app with their own account, and both will receive the same features. same updates version, but They will never share chats or filesSimilarly, if you uninstall WhatsApp from your profile, it will continue to work on the rest.

Advantages and disadvantages of using multiple users on Android

Setting up multiple users on the same device can be a very wise decision, but it also has certain side effects that should be considered beforehand.

main advantages

Greater privacy: Each person has a sandbox where to store photos, messages, documents and apps without others being able to access them without your PIN or password.
Ideal for families and children: You can create specific profiles for your children, with age-appropriate apps, screen time limits and blocking of sensitive content or in-app purchases.
Separation between work and leisure: By having both a personal and a professional profile, you can isolate email accounts, productivity apps and company documents, avoiding mixing work notifications with personal chats.
Share without fear: The same mobile phone can be used by several people (for example, couples or roommates) without anyone needing to use the accounts of another nor their open sessions on social media.
Advanced Parental Control: By combining restricted profiles or child accounts with apps like Family Link, parents can have detailed control. which apps are usedhow much time and what type of content can be viewed.

Disadvantages and limitations

Performance: The more users you have configured (and the more apps installed on each one), the more resources will consume the system. On mid-range or low-end devices, you may notice slowdowns, longer loading times, or reduced fluidity.
Storage consumption: Even though the data is separated, the physical storage is the same. If all users save many photos, videos, or large games, the internal memory can fill up quickly.
Limited compatibility: Not all Android devices support multiple users, and in some models it is only available on tablets or the maximum number of profiles that can be created is limited.
More complex management: The administrator must take care of create, configure and delete Users can decide who can make calls, who can create new profiles, or whether users can be added from the lock screen.
A single telephone line: Although several users coexist, they all share the same SIM cardThis makes it impossible, for example, for each user to have a different phone number if the mobile phone is not Dual SIM.

If you often share your phone or tablet, setting up users on Android is a very useful option to ensure the privacy and customization of each profile. By making good use of the options for guest, regular users and, when available, restricted or child profiles, your device can easily adapt to each person without putting your data or your daily user experience at risk.