How to Switch Accounts on the Moto X 2014

Faster software updates probably ranks pretty high amongst the reasons that buyers of the Moto X 2014, Motorola’s customizable flagship iPhone 6 rival, went with it instead of some other device. For a lot of people what makes the Moto X 2014 the device to have is its perfect blend of Android features and common sense feature additions provided by Motorola. Switching user accounts in Android Lollipop didn’t come from the Motorola side of things though, it’s available to anyone and everyone with Android Lollipop.

Here’s how to switch user accounts on Android Lollipop and the Moto X 2014.

Android has had a way for users to create multiple accounts on their devices for years. The feature actually debuted with Android Honeycomb, an operating system made completely for tablets. Not including access to user accounts in phone versions of Android seems to have been because the smartphone is thought to be much more personal than a tablet. An entirely family can share a tablet, but smartphones usually belong to one person and it holds all of their stuff. Now that multiple users accounts are in Android Lollipop for phones, it is the perfect time for families with toddlers and even slightly older kids to use multiple accounts to protect their data.

First, turn on your Moto X 2014 by pressing the power button on its side.

With older versions of Android, you needed to unlock your device and dive into its settings before you could change any settings or even glance at notifications. Android Lollipop for the Moto X 2014 doesn’t force this on users. For the most part, almost everything that a user can do inside their device without an app, is surfaced on the new lock screen. Don’t unlock your Moto X 2014. Instead, place your finger on the top edge of your screen and swipe down until you see a gray bar with all of your settings.

Now tap on the icon in the top-right corner of your screen. For most, the icon will show whatever picture you use as your Google Account avatar. Some might only see a basic white icon.

Welcome to the accounts area. You should immediately see your face or other Google Account avatar staring back at you with a blue circle around it. It’s this circle that tells you what account is active at this point in time. Just tap Guest and you’ll immediately switch to a temporary account.

Guest Accounts in Android Lollipop on the Moto X 2014 don’t have any credentials. Every app, every service will need a user name and password for those who are trying to use it. Some things are locked down, so for example, Guest Accounts don’t have access to the Messages app. Any customization you’ve done to Android – even your background picture is reset back to the version that came with your Moto X 2014.

You can repeat the process to get rid of the Guest Account or switch back to your main account once you’re done loaning out your Moto X 2014. It’ll take a few moments for your Moto X 2014 to flush the temporary account and get you back to your own account.

Guest accounts are great and they save a lot of users from having sensitive information around for users who are too nosey to stay out of someone else’s applications and settings. It’s only the beginning though. Logging into your Moto X 2014 before you access the Account area gives you a third option. Login to your Moto X 2014 and then go back to the Accounts menu and you’ll notice a third option: Add an Account.

Add an Account is different than a Guest account in a few different ways. The most important one is that they have free reign to add apps and services to your device. They still can’t see your files, pictures, settings but effectively, they can do everything your account can.

In the long run, you’re going to want to use the Add an Account option if you have older children. It allows you to give them a Google Account and download their own apps and services directly to your phone while still protecting your data. This account is always there and accessible pretty quickly from the settings area.

Android Lollipop on the Moto X 2014 knows the difference between an account that was created as another profile and the person who actually owns the device outright. Owner accounts can’t be deleted from other accounts. The same isn’t true the other way around, you can delete an extra account on your device at any time – provided you are the owner in question. Users of add-on accounts can delete themselves too though, saving you the trouble.

Remember, you’ll need Android Lollipop on your Moto X 2014 before you can use this functionality. The good news is that Motorola has completed its work on the Moto X 2014 Android Lollipop Update. Those who have a Pure Edition Moto X 2014 can get the upgrade now. If you’ve purchased a carrier device, you’ll have to wait until your carrier rolls out the update.