Q: Multiple Users Question

genogarb wrote:

 

Hey all...sorry I have done a search and cannot find any threads that fit my exact questions...

 

Quick, yet may be complicated question(s) here.  Have both an imac and a Macbook Pro for personal use.  I also have an iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.  My wife, on the other hand - only has the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch but is currently running her own Windows PC's.  The goal here is to consolidate by getting rid of the Windows PC's and adding her as an Admin user on my iMac and MBP.  That's where I run into questions...

 

If we have multiple users, are we able to keep information separate?  From what I understand, apps are shared (which is fine because we have family sharing on already), but I am talking about other things...will our photos all link together as one computer rather than two users (we have family photo share shut off)?  Will she be able to view the files on my "half" of the computer though?  We are looking to avoid that - essentially two "random" people sharing a computer is kind of the goal.

 

In addition...something like the Messages or even Mail app - will we still be able to have our separate accounts?  For example, I log in and it connects to my Messages (cannot see my wifes)....we switch users she should be able to use her own Messages app, access her own files (word, excel, etc), her own login credentials (ex: Google Drive), etc......and she wouldn't be able to see my stuff.....am I correct on this?

 

I guess what I am asking is if multiple users are able to keep things separate (with the exception of sharing that is turned on)?

Yes, if you have multiple user they're data is kept separate. However if you turn on family sharing (iTunes) you can share photo & music libraries. I would recommend reading OS X Yosemite: Set up Family Sharing.

If you set up File Sharing (System Preferences - Sharing) you can set it up so she can see your files and vice versa. This is explained in How to connect with File Sharing on your Mac - Apple Support

Messages, Mail etc will all be separate unless you cc her and vice versa.

genogarb wrote:

 

Thanks...I guess I maybe wasn't fully clear in my original post.  I DON'T want anything shared...basically wanting to run it like to complete strangers using the computer while sharing the applications.  We have family sharing turned on but most options turned off.  So what I am reading from your response is that...nothing is shared unless I want it to be....

 

And the other thing would be...if I am using say the iMac (and have messages app running as my phone is connected)  and I log off and she logs in, her phone and wahatnot will connect as it is part of her Apple ID...and then all my stuff is "gone" and disconnected...Correct?

 

I know this is not partitioning in the literal sense, but are you able to allocate storage needs amongst users, or is it first come first served?

 

Thanks again

Correct

Correct again

Storage is allocated by users when the user is created in OS X.