How to show a message on the Mac lock screen

2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS Tahoe 26

App

System Settings

Path

System Settings › Lock Screen › Show message when locked › Set

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

A short line on the lock screen, such as a phone number or an email address, gives an honest finder a way to return a lost MacBook. The message is shown to anyone who tries to log in.

The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.

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. 

   Switch on Show message when locked

   It is in the second group of the page. In the picture it is off, and the Set button next to it is grey.

   Done

4. 

   Click Set and type the message

   With the switch on, the Set button at the right becomes active. Type a short message and confirm.

   Done

Good to know

Show password hints, the row above, provides a hint in the login window if someone clicks the question mark in the password field or enters a wrong password three times in a row.

In short: System Settings, Lock Screen, Show message when locked, Set.