`usermod` command

Change user accounts: groups, shell, home, lock.

Users & permissions
Package passwd / shadow-utils
6 options · 6 examples

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Syntax
Common options
Examples
Tips
Guides
Related commands

Syntax

usermod [options] username

Provided by the passwd / shadow-utils package. Run man usermod for the full manual.

Common options

Option	What it does
`-aG GROUPS`	Add to extra groups (keep the others)
`-G GROUPS`	Set the extra groups (removes others)
`-s SHELL`	Change the login shell
`-l NEW`	Rename the user
`-L / -U`	Lock / unlock the password
`-d DIR -m`	Move the home directory

Examples

Add a user to sudo (Ubuntu)
```
sudo usermod -aG sudo alice
```
Add a user to docker
```
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
```
Change the shell
```
sudo usermod -s /bin/zsh alice
```
Lock an account
```
sudo usermod -L alice
```
Rename a user
```
sudo usermod -l alicia alice
```
Remove from a group
```
sudo gpasswd -d alice docker
```

Tips

Always use -aG; -G alone replaces all extra groups.
Group changes apply at the next login (or run newgrp docker).

usermod guides

Adding User in Secondary Group using Command in Linux Linux Commands · Updated Apr 2025
Removing User from Secondary Group in Linux Linux Commands · Updated Apr 2025

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