When I try to switch user it doesn't let me choose other user on login screen. When I click on the second user it momentarily switches back on the first user. Only if first user logs out second can log in. Touch ID just useless in this scenario.
MacBook Air, macOS 14.3
"It isn't constant behavior. After restart it works normal. But eventually issue comes back."
So try restarting your Mac in Safe Mode as the link I provided instructs. If fast user switching works while in Safe Mode then restart normally and see if the issue returns. If it does then the possibility exists that some third party extension, plugin, etc. May be causing this. Safe Mode starts up with only Apple’s add ons and nothing else.
I have the same issue on a brand new iMac. The only thing I've installed is a Firefox and Microsoft Remote Desktop.
When the computer is locked, I hover over the user icon and this triggers an animation that shows all the users. When I click my icon, all the icons disappear except for the user who was originally logged in -- as if I hadn't done anything. The only way for me to login is by holding the power button and performing a hard reset.
I am a senior software engineer.
This happens to me after the mac has been used for a while (switching between my wife's account and my own). Its infuriating since I can't log on without her losing her work so it makes the computer useless for me if she isn't available.
To be clear this isn't a problem of clicking as some has suggested, since when the bug occurs it doesn't matter if you use the mouse, or use the keyboard to tab select the user, either way it will keep going back to the other user after you select the one you want. Touch ID won't work either.
Can't believe apple haven't fixed this already... its a very serious issue that makes the system useless for our family.
I have the same problem with new MacBook air M3 in default configuration from the store, have two users, when one of the users logged in and screen looked I can't login with another user. It shows second account on hover, but clicking on another user icon only brings it shortly and immediately getting replaced by already logged in account. Please help, I can't share the laptop between family members because of this. I can't restart it either since I don't want to loose any work open under already logged in account.
Hello~ Excellent post and I hope the Author follows your advice instead of superfluous AI nonsense.
~Katana-San~
Suggest following the advise from Real Contributors
Be wary of some ChatBots that maybe appearing and suppling Boilerplate copy and past suggestions
Working before an update and not after does not imply a bug. So far there very few reports of such an issue.
Also, when choosing the Fast User Switching in the Menu Bar, there is an option called "Login window..." If I click it, nothing happens.
"works on my machine" does not mean that there is no bug. I am facing the same issue with 3 user accounts. This is clearly a bug that needs to be fixed by Apple
Tried updating to 14.4.1. but unfortunately the issue returned. Maybe they’ll get around to fixing it at some point… I won’t hold my breath.
Exact same problem here on Sonoma 14.5
I have the same issue. Definitely not a user error or installation error. This problem began on my device a few weeks ago and goes away upon restart. It returns after a few days.
Same issue here. On Sonoma 14.5.
Same problem here... Crazy that this critical problem still hasn't been fixed!
I'm having the same issue right now. I can't switch accounts without logging out of the main account.
How do we report this issue to apple? Here isn't the right place i guess.
Same problem. Is there any workaround to fix this problem? Apple doesn't seem to care much about this problem that has persisted for months, this is absurd!!!!
User switching doesn't work properly in macOS Sonoma
