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Disable guest accounts

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Works with any MacWorks with any Mac running macOS/OS X on Intel or Apple Silicon.
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • macOS onlyThis script improves your privacy on macOS
  • Impact: MediumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Moderate
    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use macOS system commands to update your settings.
  • 3 scripts
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

These scripts control guest access on macOS to protect your system's security and privacy.

Guest access lets anyone use your Mac without a password or account 1. This convenience creates security and privacy risks by allowing unauthorized system access 2 3 4.

Guest users have limited privileges:

  • Access without authentication 1 2
  • Cannot modify system settings 1
  • Cannot access encrypted disks when FileVault is enabled 1 2
  • Files are automatically deleted upon logout 1 2
  • Can use basic applications like Safari 1 2

Guest access serves specific purposes:

  • Providing temporary access on shared devices 1 2
  • Enabling lost device location through the Find My app 1
  • Allowing basic internet access without exposing personal data 1

Leaving guest access enabled creates these risks:

  • Unauthorized access to shared resources 3
  • System reconnaissance opportunities 3
  • Potential security vulnerabilities 3
  • Access to network-shared files and folders 3

Restricting or disabling guest access reduces the risk of unauthorized logins and secures system resources from misuse 4. Security organizations, including the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), recommend restricting guest access 3 4.

Disabling guest access features may also improve system performance by:

  • Reducing network scanning for guest access
  • Decreasing authentication overhead
  • Minimizing unnecessary network traffic

However, in some environments, a guest account can be beneficial or necessary. For example, providing temporary access on shared devices can help separate casual users from sensitive data. Enabling guests may also assist with the Find My app if your Mac is lost 3.

Caution

Disabling guest access features may impact legitimate use cases like device recovery through Find My app and temporary access for trusted users.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source

High — Advanced Privacy​

  • For advanced privacy-conscious users
  • May affect some features

Read more about High and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable guest accounts" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable guest accounts" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable guest accounts
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 3 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

  • Disable guest account login​

    This script disables the macOS guest account login to enhance system security by blocking unauthorized access. A guest account lets anyone use ...

  • Disable guest file sharing over SMB​

    This script prevents anonymous (guest) users from accessing files shared over the SMB protocol. By default, macOS allows guest users to access ...

  • Disable guest file sharing over AFP​

    This script prevents anonymous users from accessing shared files through the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP). AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) is a file...

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

The guide below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
Visit category: Security improvements

Same Goal​

Other guides in Security improvements See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
Configure macOS Application Firewall
Enable protective screen saver
Disable unauthorized connections
Disable printer sharing (IPP, LDP, SMB and Bonjour protocols)
Disable captive portal detection

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process