Apple’s macOS offers various security features to safeguard your personal and sensitive information. However, if you suspect that someone else has managed to log into your Mac without your consent, there are few ways to verify this. Here are the steps you can follow to find out if someone logged into your Mac.

Use Terminal to View the Login History

Terminal is a command line interface for macOS where you can perform various tasks, including checking your login history.

  1. Open Terminal. You can find Terminal by going to Applications -> Utilities or by searching for it on Spotlight.

  2. Once Terminal is open, type the following command and hit Enter:

last
  1. The Terminal will now show a list of the recent logins on your Mac, along with the date and time of the login, the duration, and the username of the user who logged in.

Use Console to Check System Logs

Console is another macOS utility that allows to you view your system logs. You can use it to check for unknown user logins.

  1. Open Console. You can find Console in the same Utilities folder as Terminal, or again by searching for it on Spotlight.

  2. Once Console is open, click on “System Log Queries” on the left sidebar.

  3. Look for “All Messages”. This will display all events logged by the system.

  4. In the search bar, type “login” or “log in” to filter out relevant information.

  5. Go through the log to see if there were any suspicious or unfamiliar user logins.

It’s important to note that while the Terminal and Console can provide valuable information, interpreting the login history and system logs can be a bit complex. If you’re unsure, consider seeking help from a tech-savvy friend or a professional.

In addition to the above, you might want to consider boosting security on your Mac. Options include setting up a strong, unique password, enabling two-factor authentication for your Apple ID, and regularly updating your software to ensure you have the latest security updates.

Hopefully, this guide helps in answering the question – “How can I check if someone has logged into my Mac without my knowledge?” Stay safe and secure!