How to Switch Users in Linux

1. Use the su Command to Switch Users in Linux
2. Use sudo to Run Commands as Root in Linux

As with any operating system, Linux can have multiple user accounts. Sometimes we may need to use other user accounts to access files or be root to run a command that requires privileges.

This article will explain how to switch between different users.

Use the su Command to Switch Users in Linux

The su command allows you to log into a different user account whose password you know. If used without parameters, the root user is selected by default. You can use the whoami command to view the current user.

To switch to a specific user account, type the username after the command. Use the - (or -l, --login) parameter to clear the current user’s environment variables and log in with the new user’s variables.

su - user

Output:

Use the -c or --command parameter to run commands with a different user account.

su --command=whoami - user

Output:

Use the -s or --shell parameter to switch with a different shell than the current one.

su --shell=/bin/sh - user

Output:

Use sudo to Run Commands as Root in Linux

The sudo command allows executing commands with the permissions of a different user, usually superuser, rather than switching the current user account.

For example, the only root user can update packages installed on the system. The apt-get update command updates the Ubuntu operating system.

If you are not the root user, this command gives an error. You have to use the command as follows.

sudo apt-get update

Output:

Using the sudo command instead of switching to the root account with the su command is safer.

This way, the permissions will only apply to the apt-get update command. Thus, situations such as unconscious users forgetting to log out of the root account and using harmful commands are prevented.