Making a user account an administrator on Mac (Terminal)

Summary

This article outlines the steps for granting a user admin rights on a Mac using Terminal. This can be useful for setting the privileges before a user has signed in for the first time.

Environment

• macOS
  • terminal

Directions

1. SSH into computer, or find and add it to Apple Remote Desktop.
2. Run the following command: dscl . -append /Groups/admin GroupMembership username

Please note: An alternative method is to use the following command, but it will only work on Macs bound to Active Directory (not common)

• dseditgroup -o edit -a username -t user admin