I have an old macbook (2018) which my wife wants to use as I have a new macbook. The old one has software which had a license for the laptop, and I don't want her to lose that if the laptop is erased. I know I could set up a new admin user for her and then she could delete mine, but if she signs in with her apple ID, does it erase the laptop and the software? All advice gratefully received!
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.6
All you need to do is create a separate user account for her on your Macbook. She can then put her Apple ID in that account and she will be able to use iCloud & services under her own Apple ID in that account. All the apps that are already installed on the Mac will work.
Leave the existing admin account as-is and use it when necessary to do updates or install new apps.
No need to wipe-and-reinstall.
All you need to do is create a separate user account for her on your Macbook. She can then put her Apple ID in that account and she will be able to use iCloud & services under her own Apple ID in that account. All the apps that are already installed on the Mac will work.
Leave the existing admin account as-is and use it when necessary to do updates or install new apps.
No need to wipe-and-reinstall.
Because this is still inside your family, there are two ways to proceed.
One way is to leave everything under the original Admin user, and Apple-ID who "owns" the software (including MacOS) already installed, and whose password will be required when doing updates to that already-installed software. When needed, your wife can use your Apple-ID Account and password for software updates on that computer. She can freely use her own Apple-ID for most purposes, but that does not change the "ownership" of MacOS or Microsoft Office.
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The "Approved method" gains complete independence, and would be required if that computer were leaving your family. (Your Apple-ID has your payment-method attached, so you will NOT want to give it to others outside your trusted family members.)
What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support
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You should find out how to re-use the license for the third party software after performing a clean install. Is the software license per a particular computer or a particular user?
Sometimes it is possible to de-authorize a computer, so that you can authorize the software on another computer. Other times you must work with the software vendor to transfer the license to another computer. I know you want to keep the software on the same system, but in a way it will be a different computer because of the different user.
The biggest downside to just adding your wife as a new admin user account, is if you have any apps downloaded & installed through the Apple App Store. Those purchased apps from the App Store will be under your AppleID, so only you will be able to apply software updates to those apps. Otherwise adding a new admin user account for your wife would Ok assuming the software license is for the whole computer and not restricted to a single user.
Hi HWTech and thanks for replying. I believe the software is a one time license key for the laptop and the software (Office) is available to all users. It would be good if she can log in with her own Apple ID and then she would also see her messages/contacts etc.
Advice on my wife using my old macbook
