Configuring a MacBook to allow automatic access, without the need to enter the login password can be helpful in the following situations
- The Mac is meant to be a common computer to be used by all members of the family.
- You want the convenience of using your Mac right away, without going through the login process.
- The Mac is primarily meant to be used by children.
In such cases, it can be useful to have a MacBook that can be just switched on and directly accessed, without the need to remember and enter the login password.
Login to Mac Without Password
While it is easy to setup a MacBook to allow login without password, you need to be aware that this setting is not recommended if you have confidential files or data on your computer.
If there are confidential files on the computer, you make use of Apple Watch to login to MacBook without entering its Login Password.
This ensure that the option to Login to Mac without password is only available for your convenience and no one else will be able access your files, photos and other data, without entering the password.
Setup Mac to Login without Entering Password
Follow the steps below to setup your MacBook to allow direct access, without the need to enter the login password.
1. Click on Apple Logo in top-menu bar and select System Settings in the drop-down menu,
2. From System Settings screen, go to Users & Groups and click Login Options button.
Note: You may have to first click on the Lock Icon and enter your Admin User Name, Password and click on Unlock to access Login Options.
3. On Login options screen, click in Automatic Login box and select the User Account that you want to allow Automatic login.
4. When prompted, enter the Password for the User Account that you selected for Automatic login and click on the OK button.
5. Next, take a look at Automatic Login entry on the Users & Group screen, it should indicate the name of the Account that you had configured or allowed to login Automatically on your MacBook.
Although, the Automatic login feature allows you to Login to Mac without password, it will not allow you to Login automatically, if you manually logout from the User Account or switch to a different User Account.
This means, every time you Logout from the User Account or switch to a Different User Account, you will be required to enter the Login Password.
However, when you restart or reboot the MacBook, it will allow you to Login Automatically, without the need to enter the Login Password.
What to Do If Automatic Login is Not Working on Mac
If you are having trouble setting up automatic login, it is likely that you have the FileVault option enabled for that User Account or that particular User Account has been setup to login with an iCloud Account.
The solution in this case is to switch off FileVault by going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault.
If the User Account has been setup to login with an iCloud Account, you can change the account to Login with a Manual Password by going to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Change Password.
After making the changes as applicable, you should have no problem setting up your Mac to allow login, without entering the password.