Add, change, or delete users

Some of this information applies only to devices running Android 5.0 and higher. If your device is running 4.4 or lower, the Menu icon looks like this . If your device is running 4.3 or lower, the Settings icon looks like this .

You can easily share your device with family and friends by creating a separate user for each person. Each person will have their own space on the device for custom home screens, accounts, apps, settings, and more. Learn more about users on your device.

Add user

You must be the device owner to add users.

Add a new user with the Settings menu
  1. Open your device's Settings menu .
  2. Under "Device," touch Users.
    • Android 4.4 or lower: Touch Add user or profile. Then touch User, then touch OK.
    • Android 5.0: Touch Add user.
  3. Follow the steps on screen to have that person set up their space:
    • If you're with the new user: Touch Set up now and you’ll be taken to the lockscreen. Select the new user, unlock the screen, and allow them to set up their Google Account and other details.
    • If the new user isn't around: Touch Not now. A "New user" will appear in the list. The next time you’re with the user, go back to the user list and select "New user" or click the user image on the lock screen.

Tip: If you're running Android 5.0, you can also quickly add users from Quick Settings. Simply swipe down from the top of any screen with two fingers and touch the user avatar in the top right corner. The user control panel will open and you can change or add users.

Switch user

After a user is set up, when you go to the lock screen you’ll see a new user icon in the top right of the screen. To choose a user, open the notification shade by swiping down from the top of the screen, then touch the user icon. This will bring you back to the lock screen where you can switch users. Each user can set their own lock screen.

Delete or change user

If you're the device's owner, you can delete any user. Other users can delete their own user spaces.

Delete a user as the device's owner
  1. Open your device's Settings menu .
  2. Under "Device," touch Users.
    • On Android 4.4 or lower: Touch Trash next to the user's name.
    • On Android 5.0: Touch the settings icon next to the user profile you want to remove, then touch Remove user.
Delete your own user space from a device
  1. Open your device's Settings menu .
  2. Under "Device," touch Users.
  3. Touch Menu .
  4. Touch Delete username from this device. Keep in mind that you can't undo this once you delete the profile.
  5. The device will switch to the owner profile.
Change user name or information

Each user can change their own image and information.

  1. Touch your image on the lockscreen to access your space.
  2. Open your device's Settings menu .
  3. Under "Device," touch Users.
    • Change picture: Touch your name or the settings icon next to your name. In the screen that opens, touch the image to the right of your name. Take a photo or choose from the Gallery app.
    • Change name: Touch your name or the settings icon next to your name. In the screen that opens, edit your name.
    • Change nickname your Nickname appears on the lockscreen and in Quick Settings): Edit your Nickname, and check the box to show your information on the lock screen. You can also add text that will appear on the lockscreen.