Android: create multiple users on one device
With Android, you can create multiple users on your smartphone or tablet without fear that someone will access their user profile and read out private data.
Android: User management on the smartphone and tablet
From operating version 4.2.2 there is a user management on Android on your smartphone or tablet, with which you can create at least one user profile on your tablet, each with its own environment. The special thing about it is that every user profile is password-protected and can only be viewed by the owner. This is especially useful when you want to hand over your device without worrying that someone is spying on your applications, private messages or pictures.
- As a rule, you can set up guest accounts on your device from the operating version mentioned. This guest account has limited rights and its own environment.
- Remember that each additional user profile or guest account takes up part of the total storage, even if the user has hardly any applications or files on their profile.
Create multiple users on the Android smartphone
You cannot currently create user profiles on Android smartphones regardless of the operating version. However, there are already some apps like "SwitchMe" in the Google Play Store, with which you can set up any number of users on one mobile phone.
- The catch of such apps, however, is that they are not compatible with every device. If an application is compatible with your smartphone, there is also the fact that so far none of these apps has run completely reliably and can even cause problems. Last but not least, all of these applications are only available in English speech and require that you have previously unlocked your smartphone by root.
- In the fall of this year, Google should release the new operating version Android 5.0 with the cryptonym Android "L". The new operating version should bring numerous innovations with it. At the same time, a new function provides that in the future you can also create multiple user profiles on your smartphone.
- Alternatively, you can also install the Custom-ROM CyanogenMod, with which you can already create several users.
Android: Set up the user guest account on the tablet
Since the Android version "Jelly Bean" 4.2.2, you can manage several user profiles on your tablet. For example, you can share a tablet with your family members without hindering each other. In addition, from version 4.3 parents with restricted profiles are able to prohibit their children from certain activities such as the purchase of play store items.
- Open the "Settings" on your Android tablet and select the "User" option under the "Device" category.
- Now tap your finger on "+ create user or profile" and in a further step set up either a new "user" or a "restricted profile" with a name of your choice.
- Note that a "user" has access to their own apps and content. With a "restricted profile" you can restrict the user access to applications and content from your account.
- If you are satisfied with the settings for a new user or another user profile, confirm the security question "Set user / profile now?" with "Set up now" or "Yes".
- To access the new profile you have created, go to standby with your tablet or restart your tablet and select the desired profile on the lockscreen.
If you want to set up user management on your smartphone using applications such as "SwitchMe", you must unlock your device with a "root". We'll explain in another practical tip how to unlock your smartphone with a root.