How to enable user switching from lock screen on MacOS?

If a user logs in and locks the screen, the lock screen only allows that same user to log back in. Pressing escape doesn't show other users with accounts on the system. Issue happening on a new Mac mini running Tahoe 26.0.1.


Fast user switching works once logged in. Can also use admin access to force logoff.

Mac mini, macOS 26.0

Posted on Nov 11, 2025 1:01 AM

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Posted on Nov 11, 2025 8:51 AM

Are you sure? I think the current interface of the lock screen is not very intuitive.

It presents you with the currently logged in user:


but if you click (or just hover the mouse pointer) on the user instead of entering the password (or using touch id), it will show you the other users:




8 replies

Dec 5, 2025 11:43 AM in response to mux4

I can confirm I saw the same behaviour on macOS Tahoe 26.1, after creating a user account for another user. After the other user logged in, and the lock screen showed after some time inactive, I was unable to show up any other user account. Fast user switching was already enabled, but using my own fingerprint or password did not work -- my user was simply not shown.


After updating as described by mux4, I now see all user accounts when hovering over a user and can log in directly with my fingerprint.

Nov 11, 2025 8:25 AM in response to mux4

mux4 wrote:

If a user logs in and locks the screen, the lock screen only allows that same user to log back in. Pressing escape doesn't show other users with accounts on the system. Issue happening on a new Mac mini running Tahoe 26.0.1.

Fast user switching works once logged in. Can also use admin access to force logoff.


ref: Switch quickly between users on Mac



The current stable release of Tahoe including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 26.1

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How to enable user switching from lock screen on MacOS?

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