Understanding Mac user profiles, system permissions, and Safari link issue

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Level 1

4 points

Understanding Mac user profiles, system permissions, and Safari link issue

Hi I am still new ish to Mac OS and had to do a reset recently due to safari trying to constantly open a link that does not exist, I am going through user profiles and when adding a new person I see the name SwitchUp I don't have an app downloaded under that name on my Mac. Is it something preinstalled like to switch users? I also see under sharing and permissions it shows system, wheel and everyone, who are those people ? I am probably just slow but this is getting annoying. especially with my Mac keep bringing up that there's no app to open said link when I've already cleared out my cache in safari.

Mac mini, macOS 27.0

Posted on Sep 24, 2026 11:11 AM

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Answer 1

MartinR

Level 7

26,812 points

Sep 24, 2026 4:25 PM in response to gabe262

SwitchUp is an old app used for managing applications settings but it is no longer in development. I cannot tell from your screenshot where you are seeing it.

system, wheel & everyone are built-in Groups in macOS.

System & Wheel are used by the operating system. Normally you do not do anything with them.
Everyone is, well, everyone. All user accounts on the Mac are part of the Everyone Group.

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Answer 2

MartinR

Level 7

26,812 points

Sep 24, 2026 4:37 PM in response to MartinR

Ok, I figured out what your screenshot is showing. You must have done GetInfo on the QuickTime Player app, then you must have clicked the padlock button in the Sharing and Permissions panel and entered your password, then clicked the + button beneath Sharing and Permissions, which opened the New Person panel.

That action would have been appropriate for adding a new Group or User to the Permissions list for the QT Player app ... but that is something you should NOT do.

Is there a SwitchUp app in your /Applications folder?

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Answer 3

gabe262 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 24, 2026 4:45 PM in response to gabe262

I've only seen it on the permissions page in get info, I've been doing some digging trying to figure things out with this what seems to be iCloud bug connecting safari on my phone and Mac trying to open the same link over and over with safari so I was checking to see if there was anything hidden and that's when in adding users I found those names

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Answer 4

gabe262 Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 24, 2026 4:19 PM in response to MartinR

But I never installed switch up?? It’s a new Mac

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Answer 5

MartinR

Level 7

26,812 points

Sep 24, 2026 4:31 PM in response to gabe262

How about if you identify where you are seeing SwitchUp? I see a New Person button that seems to be in the same panel, but where exactly is it showing up?

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