How to make a Mac ask for both name and password at login
2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open System Settings, click Lock Screen, and under When Switching User set Login window shows to Name and password. The login window then no longer lists the users of the Mac. Everyone has to type a user name and a password.
- Device
- Mac
- Shown on
- macOS Tahoe 26
- App
- System Settings
- Path
- System Settings › Lock Screen
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
The login window of a Mac normally shows a list of its users, so a stranger already knows half of what is needed to get in. The other choice hides the names.
The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.
Step by step
Open System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
Click Lock Screen in the sidebar
Lock Screen is in the group with Privacy & Security. Scroll down in the sidebar to find it.
Select Name and password
The row is called Login window shows. In the picture, List of users is selected.
Decide about the buttons
Show the Sleep, Restart, and Shut Down buttons displays these buttons in the login window. In the picture it is on.
Good to know
How soon the Mac asks for the password after the screen goes dark is set at the top of the same page: how to lock the screen on a Mac.
In short: System Settings, Lock Screen, Login window shows: Name and password.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.