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login MacOS command

The MacOS login command is used to log in and authenticate users on a Mac system. It allows users to access their accounts by entering their username and password. The login command can also be used to switch users or log out of a current session. By typing ‘login’ in the command line interface, users can access a new session or switch to a different user account. The login command offers various options and syntax to customize the login process and manage user accounts efficiently.

Terminal window
login [username]
OptionDescription
-q, —quietDisable login messages
-h, —hostSpecify remote host to login to
-p, —portSpecify remote port to use for connection
-f, —fast-userSkip startup scripts and go directly to user prompt
ParameterDescription
usernameOptional. Specify the username to log in as. If no username is provided, the command will prompt for the username.
Terminal window
login -p ssh user@hostname

This command initiates an interactive login session to a remote SSH server, prompting for the specified user’s credentials.

Terminal window
login -f username

Allows the user to securely log in to a specific user account by providing the username, which triggers the authentication process.

Terminal window
login -q username

Forces the logout of an active user session by specifying the username, terminating their current login session.

Validate Credentials for a Particular User

Section titled “Validate Credentials for a Particular User”
Terminal window
login -p username

Verifies the credentials of a specific user by providing the username, prompting for the associated password for authentication.

Terminal window
login -l root

Enables the user to log in with elevated privileges, typically as the root user, granting access to system administration tasks.

How do I log in as a different user in MacOS?

Section titled “How do I log in as a different user in MacOS?”

To log in as a different user in MacOS using the login command, run the following:

Terminal window
login -f <username>

How do I start a new session in MacOS using login?

Section titled “How do I start a new session in MacOS using login?”

To start a new session with the login command in MacOS, you can use the following syntax:

Terminal window
login

How do I login to a specific tty terminal on MacOS?

Section titled “How do I login to a specific tty terminal on MacOS?”

To login to a specific tty terminal in MacOS using the login command, use the following command:

Terminal window
login -f <username> /dev/tty<number>

How can I change the shell when using login in MacOS?

Section titled “How can I change the shell when using login in MacOS?”

To change the shell while using login in MacOS, you can specify the shell path in the command like this:

Terminal window
login -f <username> /bin/bash

What is the command to login to a remote system on MacOS with login?

Section titled “What is the command to login to a remote system on MacOS with login?”

To login to a remote system on MacOS using the login command, you can use the following syntax:

Terminal window
login -p -h <hostname>

How can I suppress the login banner when using login in MacOS?

Section titled “How can I suppress the login banner when using login in MacOS?”

To suppress the login banner in MacOS when using the login command, you can add the “-q” option like this:

Terminal window
login -q

How do I force a password prompt when using login in MacOS?

Section titled “How do I force a password prompt when using login in MacOS?”

To force a password prompt when using the login command in MacOS, you can add the “-p” option:

Terminal window
login -p
  • Allows users to log in to the macOS system.
  • Manages user authentication for secure access to the system.
  • Provides access to user-specific resources and settings upon login.
  • Supports different authentication methods, including username/password, biometrics, etc.
  • Can be used in script automation for user login actions.