Android devices come with multiple user profiles that allow you to have different settings and preferences for different people. This is a great way to keep your device organized and organized your data. You can also use this feature to keep track of who is using your device and when they are using it. To set up multiple user profiles on Android, you first need to create a new account on the Android app store. Once you have created an account, you will need to select the “User Profiles” tab in the app store. In this tab, you will need to create a new user profile for each person that you want to add as a collaborator. Once you have created your user profiles, you can use them in the app store by selecting “Open Profile” from the top left corner of the app store window. In this window, you will see all of your user profiles and can select which one(s) you want to open. Once opened, all of these user profiles will be displayed in one place so that it is easier to work with them. If someone else is working on a project on your device and they want their work visible in all of your user profiles, they can select “Share Project” from the top left corner of the app store window and then select which profile they would like their work shown in. If someone wants their work hidden from all of your user profiles, they can select “Hide Project” from the top left corner of the app store window.
If you share an Android device with other people, it can be tough to keep your account separate from theirs. Fortunately, Android supports multiple user profiles, allowing users to share devices without fear of encroaching on each other.
What Are User Profiles on Android?
If you have (or have ever used) a shared Windows PC, then you may already be familiar with the concept here. Everyone has their own login, complete with their own apps and settings. It’s like having multiple machines wrapped into one.
Not a lot of people realize this, but some Android devices have a very similar feature built-in. This is more than just adding a second Google account alongside your primary—it’s an entirely different profile with its own apps, settings, wallpaper, and the like. Again, like having two devices in one. When you add a new profile, it literally goes through the entire setup process like a brand new device. It’s super cool.
There is a downside, however: performance. In short, the more users on the phone, the worse the performance. As you can imagine, the more apps installed on each profile, the worse performance will be. Just something to keep in mind if you plan to set up your entire family on a single tablet.
RELATED: 4 Ways to Switch User Accounts on Windows 11
How to Set Up User Profiles on Android
To begin, swipe down once or twice from the top of the screen to expand the Quick Settings panel. Tap the gear icon.
Scroll down and select “System.” On Samsung tablets, it’s under “Accounts and Backup.”
Now tap “Multiple Users.”
The first thing we’ll do is simply toggle on the switch to allow “Use Multiple Users.”
Next, tap “Add User.”
A message will appear and explain how new users work. Tap “OK” to proceed.
Now we can give the user a name and choose a photo if you’d like. Tap “OK” when you’re done.
The next screen will have options to switch to the profile right now, enable phone calls and SMS for the profile, and delete the profile. You’re done making the profile!
How to Switch Between Profiles
You can switch profiles from the Settings as shown above, but there is an easier way. Swipe down once or twice from the top of the screen and tap the new user icon.
Select the profile you just created.
You’ll be immediately brought into the user’s profile! It’s really as easy as that.
How to Remove a User Profile
If you get to a point where you no longer need multiple profiles on a device, you can easily remove the additional profiles. Swipe down once or twice from the top of the screen to expand the Quick Settings panel and tap the gear icon.
Scroll down and select “System.” On Samsung tablets, it’s under “Accounts and Backup.”
Now tap “Multiple Users.”
Select the user profile you’d like to delete.
Tap “Delete User” and select “Delete” again to confirm.
That’s all there is to user profiles on Android. If you don’t need a profile for a specific person, you also have the option to create a guest profile. Again, not all Android devices support this feature.
RELATED: How to Set Up Android’s Guest Mode