Skip to content
macinteract
  • Guides
  • VKTRS

Technical note, 23 Sep 2015

Convert Mobile To Local Account

To convert a mobile (a.k.a. portable home directory) to a local user account do the following: Update 28/02/2014 If you are using network user accounts on 10.7 / Lion and later, you will also have to do the following: 1. login to network user account; 2. go to System preferences > Users & Groups > ... <a title="Convert Mobile To Local Account" class="read-more" href="https://macinteract.com/convert-mobile-to-local-account/" aria-label="Read more about Convert Mobile To Local Account">Read more</a>

To convert a mobile (a.k.a. portable home directory) to a local user account do the following:

Update

28/02/2014

If you are using network user accounts on 10.7 / Lion and later, you will also have to do the following:

1. login to network user account;

2. go to System preferences > Users & Groups > Current User > Mobile account: Create

3. click on ‘Create’…

4. when prompted confirm with user network account login details (screen goes blank…. wait – do not interrupt);

5. once back at login screen, log back in – check that when creating new folders on desktop they show also in ~/Desktop…. also note in Users & Groups Network has changed to Mobile

6. log out of local account, then continue as described below…
–

1. in a local Administrator account, open System Preferences > Accounts

2. select and delete the User account, by choosing ‘Don’t change the home folder’;

3. rename the ‘deleted’ user account, via Terminal to its previous shortname…

sudo mv /Users/jdoe\ \(Deleted\) /Users/jdoe

IMPORTANT: Please be very careful when using the sudo command!

4. go back to System Preferences > Accounts and create a new local User account by utilising the previous mobile accounts details, e.g. John Doe / jdoe;

5. when prompted choose to utilise the existing home folder – all permissions will then be set automatically;

6. login as the new user and check when prompted create a new keychain;

7. check that all data has come across, then change the users PHD settings in WGM to ‘none and also remove the PHD user folder from your server;

  • 140228 16:58 »
  • 10.6 • 10.7 • 10.8 • 10.9 •
  • systems

© 2026 macinteract

  • Legal
  • VKTRS
  • Contact

Cookies & legal

We use cookies and similar technologies to run the site, remember preferences, and measure use (for example analytics). See our Legal page for privacy, cookies, and related terms. You can accept optional cookies or continue with only what is necessary for the site to work.