> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/administration/users/lock-user-accounts.md).
# Lock user accounts
{% hint style="info" %}
User permission: [Administration > Users](/administration/users/add-update-user/user-permissions.md#administrator-permissions)
{% endhint %}
You might want to lock a user account if the user no longer works for you but you are not yet ready to delete their user account, as it contains some shared content.
When you lock a user account, the user is signed out from all their sessions. As soon as they move to another page or take any sort of action, they will be either returned to the sign in screen or get the following message. They will be unable to sign back into Phocas until their account is unlocked.
## Lock an individual user account
{% hint style="danger" %}
**Do not lock your own account**. If you do, you will be unable to access Phocas and will need another administrator to unlock your account.
{% endhint %}
1. Open the [user's account page](/administration/users/add-update-user/user-account-page.md) and click the **User** tab.
2. Confirm you are viewing the correct user's account.
3. In the **Permissions** section, select the **Account locked** checkbox.
4. Click **Save**.
Alternatively, you can also use one of the bulk update methods below.
## Lock multiple user accounts in bulk
{% hint style="danger" %}
Ensure your own account is not included in the selected users.
{% endhint %}
You can lock an account for one or more users using either of these methods.
### Method 1: Bulk update permissions
1. Go to the **Users** page.
2. Select the users whose accounts you want to lock. Ensure you are viewing the correct users accounts and haven't included your own.
3. Click **More** > **Bulk Update**.
4. In the **General Permissions** section, set **Account locked** to **Yes**.
5. Proceed with the bulk update.
### Method 2: Lock accounts directly
1. Go to the **Users** page.
2. Select the users whose accounts you want to lock.
3. Click **More** > **Lock Account**.
## Unlock a user account
You can unlock user accounts in a similar way to how you lock them.
* On the user account page > **User** tab > **Permissions** section, clear the **Account locked** checkbox and click **Save**.
* In the **Bulk Update** window > **General Permissions** screen, select **Account Locked** > **No** and proceed with the bulk update.
---
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