How to make a Mac ask for both name and password at login

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-make-a-mac-ask-for-both-name-and-password-at-login/ · Checked October 2026 · MacBook Pro · macOS Tahoe 26

4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 3 official sources below

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro)

App

System Settings

Path

System Settings › Lock Screen

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

3 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open System Settings

   Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.

   Done

2. 

   Click Lock Screen in the sidebar

   Lock Screen is in the group with Privacy & Security. Scroll down in the sidebar to find it.

   Done

3. 

   Select Name and password

   The row is called Login window shows. In the picture, List of users is selected.

   Done

4. 

   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.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Lock Screen is not in view Apple says you may need to scroll down the sidebar. In our picture Lock Screen sits above Privacy & Security. Source: Change Lock Screen settings on Mac
• Your Mac has System Preferences Apple's guide for macOS Monterey 12 says an administrator sets how the login window looks in System Preferences, Users & Groups, Login Options. Click the lock at the bottom left first if it is locked. Source: Set up other users on your Mac (macOS Monterey 12)

If this does not work

• The Mac goes straight to the desktop Automatic login is on. Apple says the Mac then logs in to that account at startup; set Automatically log in as to Off in Users & Groups. Source: How to log in automatically to a Mac user account
• Someone forgets their password Apple says with Show password hints on, the hint appears after three wrong passwords in a row, or when the question mark is clicked. Source: Change Lock Screen settings on Mac

About this guide

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.

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.