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groups MacOS command

The MacOS groups command allows users to view and modify information about user groups on a MacOS system. By using this command, users can add or delete groups, as well as list the existing groups on the system. The groups command is a useful tool for managing user permissions and access control on a MacOS system. By understanding how to use the groups command, users can efficiently organize and manage user groups to ensure proper access levels and security within the system.

Terminal window
groups [username]
OptionDescription
Display all groups the user belongs to.
ParameterDescription
usernameSpecify the username to see their groups.
Terminal window
sudo dseditgroup -o create -r "Description of the Group" groupName

Creates a new group with the specified name and description.

Terminal window
sudo dseditgroup -o edit -a username -t user groupName

Adds a user to an existing group.

Terminal window
sudo dseditgroup -o edit -d username -t user groupName

Removes a user from a group.

Terminal window
dscl . -read /Groups/groupName

Displays detailed information about a specific group, including its members.

Terminal window
id username

Lists all the groups that a specific user is a member of.

To use the groups command in bash, execute the following command:

Terminal window
groups

How can I display group memberships for a specific user in MacOS?

Section titled “How can I display group memberships for a specific user in MacOS?”

To display group memberships for a specific user, use the following command:

Terminal window
groups username

To display all the groups in the system, run the following command:

Terminal window
groups -A

How can I list all groups that a user is a member of in MacOS?

Section titled “How can I list all groups that a user is a member of in MacOS?”

To list all groups that a user is a member of, use the following command:

Terminal window
groups username

How do I show numerical group IDs along with group names in MacOS?

Section titled “How do I show numerical group IDs along with group names in MacOS?”

To display numerical group IDs along with group names, execute the following command:

Terminal window
groups -n

How can I display the groups a user is a member of without group names in MacOS?

Section titled “How can I display the groups a user is a member of without group names in MacOS?”

To show the groups a user is a member of without group names, use the following command:

Terminal window
groups -g username

How do I get detailed information about a specific group in MacOS?

Section titled “How do I get detailed information about a specific group in MacOS?”

To get detailed information about a specific group, run the following command:

Terminal window
groups -v groupname

How can I display the effective group ID and all memberships in MacOS?

Section titled “How can I display the effective group ID and all memberships in MacOS?”

To display the effective group ID and all memberships, use the following command:

Terminal window
groups -v
  • List all groups a user is a member of
  • Check the specific groups a user belongs to
  • Help in troubleshooting user permissions issues