We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Need procedure for two users on Mac (El Capitan) - profiles

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by mcent007

more options

Computer is Macintosh with OSX EL Capitan. We have had Firefox on the computer when it had only one user. Now we added a second user, and want that user to automatically access their own profile. The (arcane) procedure for creating the second profile was done and now appears in the "Profile" folder, as created and viewed on the first user's account. So, how do we get the second user to access only his own profile, and to make it so the Firefox application opens immediately to the desired browser?

Is this a simply matter on creating a new user profile while on the second user's account? If so, how do we ensure each user accesses the correct profile, and opens directly to the selected browser?

Thank You!

Computer is Macintosh with OSX EL Capitan. We have had Firefox on the computer when it had only one user. Now we added a second user, and want that user to automatically access their own profile. The (arcane) procedure for creating the second profile was done and now appears in the "Profile" folder, as created and viewed on the first user's account. So, how do we get the second user to access only his own profile, and to make it so the Firefox application opens immediately to the desired browser? Is this a simply matter on creating a new user profile while on the second user's account? If so, how do we ensure each user accesses the correct profile, and opens directly to the selected browser? Thank You!

All Replies (3)

more options

On Mac and Windows, all profile files are stored under the user's own Application Support/AppData folder.

Can you log on as the new user and start Firefox to confirm that it creates a new default profile in the correct location?

more options

You need to start Firefox as the second user on Mac. Then will Firefox automatically create a new Firefox profile folder for this other Mac user account.

See also:

more options

I did download Firefox v53.02 from within the second user account on this computer, but when opened, it says it can't find the Profile, and will not open the application. The Mozilla instructions to remedy this issue are for Windows. I need a solution path for Macintosh.(OSX, El Capitan). By the way, Firefox v53.02 works fine on the first user account - just an issue getting the second user account to work as well.