Setting Up Multiple Users on Jellyfin

Media

Beginner

5 min read

Published: May 7, 2026

Don't let your kids mess up your watch history! Setting up a unique Jellyfin account for every person in your house ensures everyone gets their own personalized recommendations and resume points.

Overview

Just like Netflix has different profiles for different family members, Jellyfin allows you to create infinite user accounts. Each account tracks its own watch history, meaning if your spouse watches episode 1 of a show, it doesn't mark it as "watched" on your account.

Step 1: Accessing the User menu

Log into Jellyfin with your administrator account.
Click the menu icon (three lines) in the top left.
Select Administration > Dashboard.
In the left sidebar, click on Users.

Step 2: Creating a new user

While you can use the Wizarr app to let family members create their own accounts via invite links, creating them manually is often faster for people living in your own home.

Click the large + button at the top of the Users page.
Enter a Name for the user (e.g., "Sarah").
Enter a password. If this is just for a living room TV, you can leave the password blank, or set a simple PIN code so they can easily switch profiles with the TV remote.
Click Save.

Jellyfin dashboard excerpt illustrating user management screens. — Illustration from archived Jellyfin documentation (GPL-2.0); current Jellyfin UI may differ slightly.

Step 3: Customizing permissions

Once the user is created, click on their name to open their Profile Settings. You have immense control over what they can and cannot do.

Allow this user to manage the server: Keep this UNCHECKED. Only your master account should have this privilege.
Allow media deletion: Keep this UNCHECKED. You don't want someone accidentally deleting a movie file from your hard drive via their TV remote.
Allow downloading: If checked, the user can save copies of movies to their phone for offline viewing (great for kids going on car rides).
Library Access: Uncheck "Enable access to all libraries" if you want to hide specific folders from them (e.g., hiding R-rated movies).

Scroll to the bottom and click Save after making any changes.

💡 Tip: The next time you open the Jellyfin app on your TV, you will see a profile selection screen (just like Netflix) where you can easily switch between the accounts you just created.

Next Steps

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Step 2: Creating a new user

While you can use the Wizarr app to let family members create their own accounts via invite links, creating them manually is often faster for people living in your own home.

Click the large + button at the top of the Users page.

Enter a Name for the user (e.g., "Sarah").

Enter a password. If this is just for a living room TV, you can leave the password blank, or set a simple PIN code so they can easily switch profiles with the TV remote.

Click Save.

Illustration from archived Jellyfin documentation (GPL-2.0); current Jellyfin UI may differ slightly.

Step 3: Customizing permissions

Once the user is created, click on their name to open their Profile Settings. You have immense control over what they can and cannot do.

Allow this user to manage the server: Keep this UNCHECKED. Only your master account should have this privilege.

Allow media deletion: Keep this UNCHECKED. You don't want someone accidentally deleting a movie file from your hard drive via their TV remote.

Allow downloading: If checked, the user can save copies of movies to their phone for offline viewing (great for kids going on car rides).

Library Access: Uncheck "Enable access to all libraries" if you want to hide specific folders from them (e.g., hiding R-rated movies).

Scroll to the bottom and click Save after making any changes.

💡 Tip: The next time you open the Jellyfin app on your TV, you will see a profile selection screen (just like Netflix) where you can easily switch between the accounts you just created.

Setting Up Multiple Users on Jellyfin

Overview

Step 1: Accessing the User menu

Step 2: Creating a new user

Step 3: Customizing permissions

Next Steps

Was this helpful?

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Overview

Step 1: Accessing the User menu

Step 2: Creating a new user

Step 3: Customizing permissions

Next Steps