How to Change Default Pi User on Raspberry Pi - Raspberry Pi BD

By default, Raspberry Pi OS comes with a user called “pi.” While this user is convenient for getting started, some users prefer to change the default username for security reasons or to personalize their system. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of changing the default “pi” user on Raspberry Pi, including the necessary steps and precautions to take.

Why Change the Default Pi User?

The default “pi” user has full sudo privileges, which makes it a target for potential security breaches if someone gains access to your Raspberry Pi. Changing the username can help to mitigate this risk. Additionally, renaming the “pi” user can give your Raspberry Pi a more personalized setup, especially if you’re setting up a system for long-term use or sharing it with others.

Steps to Change the Default Pi User

Follow these steps carefully to change the default “pi” user on your Raspberry Pi:

Step 1: Log in to the Raspberry Pi

Start by logging into your Raspberry Pi. You can either use the terminal directly on the Pi or connect remotely using SSH.

ssh pi@raspberrypi.local

Make sure to replace “raspberrypi.local” with your Raspberry Pi’s IP address if needed.

Step 2: Create a New User

To change the default user, you first need to create a new user with the desired name. Run the following command to create a new user:

sudo adduser newusername

Replace newusername with your desired username. You’ll be prompted to set a password and additional details for the new user. You can press Enter to skip optional fields like the full name and phone number.

Step 3: Add the New User to the Sudo Group

The new user will need sudo privileges to perform administrative tasks. To give the new user sudo access, run the following command:

sudo usermod -aG sudo newusername

This command adds the new user to the “sudo” group, allowing them to execute commands with administrative rights.

Step 4: Log Out of the Pi User

Once the new user is created and has sudo privileges, you can log out from the current “pi” user account. If you are logged in through SSH, use the command:

exit

Alternatively, if you are working directly on the Pi, log out by typing logout or by selecting “Log Out” from the menu.

Step 5: Log in as the New User

Now that you’ve created the new user, log in using the new username and password:

ssh newusername@raspberrypi.local

Or, if you’re working directly on the Pi, log in as usual with the new username and password.

Step 6: Remove the Pi User (Optional)

If you no longer need the “pi” user, you can delete it for security reasons. To do so, run the following command:

sudo deluser pi

This will remove the “pi” user, but will not delete the user’s home directory or files. If you want to remove those as well, use:

sudo deluser --remove-home pi

Be cautious when deleting the “pi” user, as any custom configurations or files saved in the “pi” user’s home directory will also be deleted.

Step 7: Update the Pi User’s Sudoers File (Optional)

If you want to keep the “pi” user for specific purposes but need to change its name for security, you can do so by editing the sudoers file. Use the following command:

sudo visudo

Look for any references to “pi” and change them to your new username. Make sure to carefully edit the sudoers file, as mistakes can prevent you from using sudo privileges.

Precautions to Take When Changing the Pi User

While changing the default “pi” user can enhance security, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Backup Important Files: Before making any changes, ensure that you have backed up important files in case something goes wrong.
• Keep Sudo Privileges: Ensure that the new user has sudo privileges if you want to perform system-level tasks without issues.
• Test New User Access: After making the change, test that the new user can access and perform tasks properly, including running commands with sudo.
• Update Scripts and Services: If you’ve written scripts or services that reference the “pi” user, update them to reflect the new username.