How to completely remove a guest on Android: instructions for all versions

Guest mode on Android is a useful feature for temporary access to the device without risking personal data. But what to do if the profile remains in the system after use, takes up space or interferes with work? In this article we will examine all methods for deleting a guest account on smartphones from different manufacturers, including hidden settings and solutions for locked devices.

It is important to understand: the process differs depending on the version of Android and the shell (Samsung One UI, MIUI, ColorOS etc.). In some cases a couple of clicks is enough, and in some cases a reset is required. We will describe each method in detail, indicate possible errors and give recommendations for restoring the system if something goes wrong.

Let us immediately note: deleting a guest does not affect the owner’s main profile, but some settings (for example, restrictions for children) may be reset. If you plan to transfer the device to another user, it is better to perform a hard reset - we will also talk about this below.

1. Standard removal of a guest through Android settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in system tools. It works on most devices with Android 5.0 and later, but the interface may vary. Here are the universal instructions:

1. Open Settings (gear on the main screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to section System → Advanced → Multi-user mode (on some devices the path may be Accounts → Users).
3. Tap on profile Guest (or Guest on English firmware).
4. Click Delete user (or Remove guest) and confirm the action.

If there is no "Delete" option, then the profile is already deactivated, but its data is still stored in the system. In this case:

• 🔄 Reboot the device - sometimes this helps reset the guest's temporary files.
• 🧹 Clear the application cache Settings via Settings → Applications → All applications → Settings → Memory → Clear cache.
• 📱 Check for system updates - the interface may change in new versions of Android.

Important for Samsung: On devices with One UI guest profile may be called "Private Mode" (Private Mode). To remove it, go to Settings → Biometrics and security → Private mode and disable the function.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, Flyme from Meizu), guest mode is deleted only after exiting it. First, click "Exit guest mode" in the notification panel, then try deleting again through the settings.

2. Removal via Recovery Mode

If the standard method did not work or the guest profile is blocked, you can use recovery modeThis method is suitable for devices with root access or custom firmware, but requires caution - incorrect actions can lead to resetting all data.

Instructions for devices without root:

1. Turn off the smartphone.
2. Hold down the button combination to enter Recovery:
   • 📱 Samsung: Volume up + Power + Bixby (or Volume up + Power on new models).
   • 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi: Volume up + Power.
   • 📱 Google Pixel: Volume down + Power, then select Recovery Mode.

In the Recovery menu, select Wipe data/factory reset → Wipe cache partition.

Reboot the device (Reboot system now).

For devices with root access, you can use ADB:

adb shell pm list users

This command will show all profiles. Find the guest ID (usually 10 or higher) and execute:

adb shell pm remove-user [guest_ID]

What to do if Recovery Mode does not open?

If the button combination does not work, try connecting the device to the PC and using the command adb reboot recovery. On some models (for example, Huawei), Recovery Mode is blocked - in this case, only official firmware via HiSuite or Fastboot.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting via Recovery deletes all guest profile data cannot be restored, but does not affect the main account. select Wipe data/factory reset, all users will be reset!

3. Features of deletion on devices of different brands

Manufacturers often modify standard Android by adding their shells and functions. Let's consider the nuances for popular brands:

Brand	Shell	Path to guest profile	Deletion features
Samsung	One UI	Settings → Accounts and archiving → Users	Guest can be called "Private mode". You must exit the profile before deleting.
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco	MIUI	Settings → PaSSWORD & SECURITY → Privacy → Multi-user mode	On some models, guest mode can be disabled only through Settings → Accessibility → Deleting users.
Huawei/Honor	EMUI/Magic UI	Settings → System → Multi-user mode	The owner's PIN is required to delete. On new models, the guest profile is called "Children's mode." data-i="127">Settings → System → Advanced → Multi-user mode
Google Pixel	Stock Android	Settings → System → Advanced → Multi-user mode	The "cleanest" Android - deletion occurs without additional confirmation.
Realme/Oppo	ColorOS/Realme UI	Settings → Accounts → Multi-user mode	On some firmware, the guest profile is deleted only after resetting the cache in Recovery.

On devices Sony Xperia with a shell Xperia UI guest mode is deleted via Settings → Users → Remove guest, but confirmation with the main account password is required. If you have forgotten the password, you will have to reset the settings. via Sony Companion on a PC.

LG (on older models) and HTC have unique interfaces For example, on LG G6 path. this: Settings → General → Users → Guest → Delete. On new devices LG (from 2021) there is no guest mode - instead, the “Lock screen for guests” function is used.

4. How to remove a guest if it is blocked

Situation: the guest profile is active, but you do not remember the password or PIN code to exit it. In this case, standard deletion through the settings is not available. Solutions:

Method 1: Reset via the main profile

If you have access to the main account:

1. Login to your profile (via the notification panel or reboot).
2. Go in Settings → Users.
3. Tap on the blocked guest and select Delete user.
4. Confirm the action with the main account password.

Method 2: Use ADB (for advanced users)

If resetting through the interface is not possible:

1. Connect the device to the PC and turn on USB debugging (in developer settings).
2. Open command line and execute:

   adb shell pm list users

   Find the ID of the blocked guest (for example, UserInfo{10:Guest:13}).

3. Delete the profile with the command:

   adb shell pm remove-user 10

   (replace 10 to the current ID).

Method 3: Hard reset (last option)

If all else fails, perform a full reset via Recovery Mode (Wipe data/factory reset). This will delete all dataincluding the main profile, so make a backup copy first.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with FRP protection (Factory Reset Protection), after the reset you will need to enter the details of the last synchronized Google account. If you do not remember your login/password, it will be difficult to unlock your smartphone!

5. Clearing residual guest data after deletion

Even after deleting a profile, temporary files, application caches, and settings may remain on the system. To completely clear the device:

• 🧹 Clear the system application cache:
  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Open the menu (three dots) → Show system.
  3. Find Settings, User settings or MultiUser and clear the cache.
4. 🗑️ Delete the guest folders manually (requires a file manager with root access):
   • Go to /data/user/10/ (or another guest ID).
   • Delete all files and folders inside.
5. 🔄 Reboot the device - this will reset temporary data in memory.

For deep cleaning, you can use applications like SD Maid or CCleaner, but they will only delete the cache, not the guest’s system files. If you notice that after deleting the profile, the device works slower, perform optimization via Settings → Device Maintenance (on Samsung) or Settings → Memory (on other brands).

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When deleting a guest profile, users encounter typical problems. Let's look at the most common ones:

Error	Cause	Solution
"Could not delete user"	Profile is active or blocked	Exit guest mode through the notification panel or restart the device
There is no "Delete guest" item in the settings	Outdated version of Android or custom firmware	Update the system or use ADB (see section 2)
After deletion, the guest appears again	Automatic profile creation (for example, in child mode)	Disable the "Quick access for guests" function in the security settings
"No rights to delete"	Corporate policy restrictions (on work phones)	Contact the device administrator or reset the settings

If some applications or settings are missing after deleting the guest, check:

• 🔧 Whether they were installed only for the guest profile (such applications are deleted along with it).
• 📱 Not whether system settings have been reset (for example, child restrictions or parental controls).
• 🔒 Has the function Data protection (on Huawei) been activated, which blocks changes after deleting a user.

On devices with Android 12+ an error "You cannot delete the last user"may appear. This means that the guest profile has become the main one (for example, after a reset). In this case:

1. Create a new owner profile.
2. Transfer all data to it.
3. Delete the old profile (former guest).

7. Alternatives to guest mode: what to use instead

If you often have to share your smartphone with other people, but guest mode is unstable, consider alternative methods of data protection:

• 🔐 Applications for blocking: AppLock, Norton App Lock or the built-in "App Lock" feature (available on Xiaomi, Samsung). Allows you to hide individual apps without creating a new profile.
• 👶 Children's mode: On Samsung (Kids Home), Huawei (Children corner) and other brands there are specialized modes with content restrictions.
• 📱 Second Google account: Add an additional account in the settings and set up a separate profile with limited rights for it.
• 🔄 Screen Time mode: On iPhone there is an analogue of the guest mode, but on Android a similar function can be emulated via Digital Wellbeing (limiting applications by time).

For maximum security, use a combination of methods. For example:

1. Install AppLock on messengers and gallery.
2. Activate Settings → Security → Application blocking.
3. Create a separate Google account with minimal rights.

If you need to temporarily transfer the device, but keep all the settings, consider the option with profile cloning through applications like Parallel Space or 2Accounts. They create an isolated copy of the system, which can be deleted in one click.

8. Data recovery after incorrect deletion of a guest

If important files (photos, contacts, messages) were lost when deleting a guest profile, try restoring them:

• 🔍 Check your backups:
  • 📧 Google Photos —recover deleted images for the last 60 days.
  • ☁️ Google Drive —check the "Trash" folder.
  • 📱 Local backups (on Samsung via Smart Switch, on Xiaomi via Mi Cloud).
• 🛠️ Use recovery apps:
  • DiskDigger — for photos and videos.
  • Dr.Fone —for contacts and messages (root required).
  • Recuva (on PC) - if you connect your smartphone as a drive.
• 📞 Specialized services: Contact the brand's service center - they have tools for retrieving data even after a reset (for example, Samsung Knox or Huawei Backup).

If the files were saved on an SD card, extract it and connect it to another device via a card reader. Data on external media is not affected when users are deleted.

⚠️ Attention: Do not write new data to the device after deleting a guest - this reduces the chances of restoring old files, the higher the probability of success.

To prevent future losses, configure automatic backup:

• 📱 Android: Settings → System → Backup (enable copying in Google Account).
• 📧 Samsung: Use Samsung Cloud or Smart Switch.
• 📲 Xiaomi: Activate Mi Cloud in your account settings.
💡

Backup to Google Your account saves applications, contacts and settings, but not photos and videos - they require a separate backup in Google Photos.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to delete a guest without resetting the settings?

Yes, in most cases, the guest profile is deleted through the settings without losing the data of the main user. The exception is if the profile is locked or the device runs on heavily modified firmware (for example, corporate phones).

Why after? After removing the guest, some applications disappeared?

Most likely, these applications were installed only for the guest profile. To make them appear again, install them again from Google Play or restore them from a backup.

How to remove a guest on an Android tablet?

The process is similar, but not the same. on tablets (for example Samsung Tab or Lenovo Yoga), guest mode is often called "Restricted profile". Path to settings: Settings → Users → Delete limited profile.

What to do if guest mode turns on by itself yourself?

This may be due to:

• 🔧 Malfunction of the power button (accidental pressing causes a profile change).
• 📱 Virus or malware - check the device via Google Play Protect or Malwarebytes.
• 🔄 The shell is malfunctioning - try clearing the application cache Settings.

If the problem persists, reset the settings to factory settings.

Is it possible to return a deleted guest?

No, after deleting the profile and all his data is erased without the possibility of recovery. However, you can create a new guest profile at any time through Settings → Users → Add guest.