User Switching documentation
See the site exactly as a customer, editor or member sees it, then switch back to your own account. You don’t need passwords, private windows or test accounts.
Overview
Testing what another role can see usually means logging out, logging in as a test user, then logging back in. If the test account doesn’t exist yet, you create one first and share its password.
When a client reports that something “doesn’t work for them”, you can’t see what they are seeing.
Plan: Free + Pro options. The options marked Pro below need WP Extended Pro.
Setup
- Turn on User Switching under Developer Tools.
- Go to Users and click Switch To next to any account.
- Check the site as that user, then click Switch back in the admin bar.
Questions and troubleshooting
Is User Switching free?
Yes. Switching users is free. WP Extended Pro adds a favourite user in the admin bar.
Who can switch users?
Only users who can already edit other users, which normally means administrators. Switching never gives anyone more access than they already had.
Do I need the other person’s password?
No. You switch to their account directly and switch back to yours without logging in again.
It isn’t working as expected
Check the module is switched on and its settings are saved. If another plugin does the same job, deactivate one of them. Then clear any page cache and test again. Still stuck? Pro customers can contact support; free users can post on the WordPress.org forum.
Developers
User Switching has 13 hooks. See the User Switching developer reference.