How do I stop a non-admin user from accessing System Preferences on my Mac?

I've set up parental controls and screen time for my daughters new iPhone 16. She cannot access the settings so she cannot change them. However, I've discovered that she can access and change those settings from my Mac. I'm the administrator and I've set her up as a separate user on the Mac but while logged in to her user, I can still access system preferences and screen time settings which she would also be able to do to make changes. No password was requested to access system preferences or screen time. Why does it seem there is no way from blocking users from accessing my system settings? Am I missing something or did I set up the user incorrectly?



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iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.7

Posted on Apr 18, 2025 11:12 PM

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Posted on Apr 19, 2025 6:51 AM

You can set a passcode to block access to ScreenTime settings on your Mac.


Set, change, or remove a Screen Time passcode on Mac - Apple Support


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7 replies

Apr 19, 2025 7:03 AM in response to daibrahim64

Under the security pane of System Preferences / System Settings (depending on the macOS version of the device in question) there should be an option to lock system-wide preferences with your account password.


E.g., the att screenshot shows the option under System Preferences>Security and Privacy>Advanced... in Catalina (I'm not near my Sequoia or Ventura devices at the moment - but they have a similar option in System Settings).



Also, just to be sure, you set her up as a standard user, not an administrator? If she's an administrator, then she can unlock and set anything, so you will have to ensure she is only a standard user from your account.

Apr 20, 2025 11:04 AM in response to daibrahim64

You have several options:


1 - if the Guest account can't change the settings on her iPhone delete her user account on the Mac and let her only use the Guest account.

2 - take her iPhone away and give her a simple phone that just makes calls and can text, i.e. a non-smart phone.

3 - and lastly enroll her in a computer science class at the local college.


Note: I'm leaning more towards #1. (I have to go to my grandkids [4 in college and 2 in HS] to figure out a lot of features on my iPhone).

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How do I stop a non-admin user from accessing System Preferences on my Mac?

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