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You may want to input both username and password during the login process instead of just entering the password to enhance security. Alternatively, you can also add password hints and notifications on the login screen to avoid situations of forgetting the password and having to go through the process of recovering the login password on Mac. By default, you can switch users on the login screen but cannot set sleep, startup, or shutdown modes on Mac.
To further understand how to add these features to the login screen, readers can refer to the article on customizing the login screen on Mac below by Mytour.
Customizing Login Screen on Mac
Changing Login Options
Most of the login screen settings are hidden within System Preferences.
Navigate to Apple =>System Preferences and click on Users & Groups.
Before making any changes to the login screen settings, you'll need to unlock Users & Groups. Click on the padlock icon at the bottom-left corner of the dialog box and enter the password when prompted (note that you must use an Admin account).
Select Login Options at the bottom-left corner of the frame. In the right-hand frame, choose the options you want to use on the login screen.
Once done, click on the padlock icon to prevent further changes.
All login options will turn gray, except for the user switcher menu. You can adjust the display without unlocking the options.
Below are the details on customizing login options.
Automatic login
Another way to customize the Login screen on Mac is by opting for automatic login, eliminating the need to enter login information each time you start your Mac. If you share your Mac with multiple users, it's advisable not to activate this option.
In the Users & Groups window, select a user from the Automatic login menu and enter the user's password when prompted.
In the next user login, the login screen will be skipped, and direct system access will be granted.
Login window display options
The login window presents options allowing you to display login as a user list or usernames and passwords.
The default option of displaying user list shows user icons on the login screen. Simply click on the user icon you wish to login with, then enter the user's password to proceed.
The username and password option displays two blank fields, requiring users to input login information into both.
This option is slightly more secure than the user list option as it requires both username and password input.
Show Sleep, Start, and Shut Down buttons
By default, the Sleep, Start, and Shut Down buttons are not displayed on the login screen. You must log in to perform any of these actions.
However, you can add these buttons to the end of the login screen by enabling the option Show the Sleep, Restart, and Shut Down buttons.
Show other menus
If you frequently switch between languages or keyboard layouts, you can activate the option Show Input menu in login window to add the Input menu (keyboard icon) to the top-right corner of the login window.
This allows you to change the language or keyboard before logging in.
Show password suggestions
If you often forget your login password, you can enable the option Show password hints on the Users & Groups Login Options window in System Preferences.
To enter a password hint, go to Apple =>System Preferences and select Users & Groups. Choose the user on the left panel that you want to add a password hint for. Then click on Change Password on the right panel.
Enter your old password in the Old password field, then enter your new password in the New password field and re-enter the new password in the Verify the new password field. If you don't want to change your password, enter your current password in both the Old password and New password fields.
Enter a hint in the Password hint field to remember your password. Then click on Change Password.
If you input the wrong login password 3 times, the password hint will automatically display.
Additionally, you can click on the question mark icon in the Enter Password field to show the password hint, even if the login window is displayed as a user list or username and password.
Add Fast User Switching menu to the menu bar
The Fast User Switching menu is not displayed on the login screen. All user accounts on Mac are listed in the Fast User Switching menu, allowing users to quickly switch to another user account without logging out of the current one.
Additionally, you can access the login window from the fast user switching menu and Users & Groups Preferences.
Enable the option Show fast user switching menu as on the Users & Groups Login Options window in System Preferences to add the menu to the right side of the menu bar.
If you choose to display the login window as a user list, you will see an orange circle with a checkmark inside next to the user account you are currently logged into.
Activate VoiceOver on the login screen
VoiceOver is an advanced screen-reading technology integrated into macOS Sierra, allowing users to disable visuals to control Mac via keyboard, braille display, or trackpad.
Use the VoiceOver cursor to navigate around the screen, select control options, and read and edit text.
If you enable the option Use VoiceOver in the login window on the Users & Groups Login Options window in System Preferences, you can use VoiceOver commands to navigate and interact with items on the screen.
Add custom notifications on the login screen
If desired, you can add custom notifications on the login screen. For example, adding your contact information on the login screen.
Go to Apple =>System Preferences and select Security & Privacy.
To add notifications on the login screen, you need to unlock the option. Click on the padlock icon at the bottom-left corner of the dialog box and enter the password when prompted.
First, ensure the General window is active.
Check the box next to the option Show a message when the screen is locked, then click on Set Lock Message.
Enter the message you want to display on the login screen in the dialog box, then click on OK.
In the next startup, you'll see the message at the bottom of the Mac login screen, above the Sleep, Restart, and Shut Down buttons (if you choose to display those buttons).
Change profile picture
If the login screen is displayed as a user list, your profile picture will appear above your name.
To change the picture, go to Apple =>System Preferences, then select Users & Groups. Make sure the user whose profile picture you want to change is selected in the left panel.
Next, hover over the profile picture, click on Edit displayed on the picture.
On the dialog box displayed on the screen, click on Default to select an image from Apple's default image library, or click on Photos to choose a photo from your photo library. Then click on the image you want to use in the right panel and click on Save.
To view the profile picture on the login screen, click on Login Options, under the Display login window as section, choose List of users.
If you can't make changes because the options are grayed out, click on the padlock icon at the bottom-left corner and enter your password to unlock the options.
Now you'll see the new profile picture you selected displayed on the login screen above the username.
On Windows, if you forget your login password, you need to reset your computer password. Previously, Mytour provided a guide on how to log into a computer when you forget your password. If interested, you can refer to the article on logging into a computer when you forget your password for the best solution when facing this situation.
So Mytour has just guided you through some ways to customize the Login login screen on Mac. If you have any questions or need clarification, please leave your comments below the article.
