View-only access lets someone see your account without changing anything

View-only access is a permission level that lets another person look at your account information, files, or settings without being able to edit, delete, or transfer anything. They can read what's there — see your documents, check your balance, review your history — but they cannot make changes. It's the difference between handing someone a printed statement to read versus handing them your password.

This matters because most account breaches and family conflicts happen when someone has full control they don't actually need. View-only access solves a real problem: you want your adult child to monitor your bank account for signs of fraud, or your accountant to review your records, or a trusted friend to help you find a document — but you don't want them to move money, delete files, or lock you out.

The catch is that view-only access works differently on every platform. A bank's read-only permission is not the same as a cloud storage service's viewer role, which is not the same as a social media account's authorized viewer. You have to set it up separately for each account that matters to you.

Key Takeaways

  • View-only access lets someone see your account without changing, deleting, or transferring anything, which is safer than sharing your full password.
  • Banks, email providers, cloud storage, and social media all use different names and steps for view-only permissions — you must set each one up separately.
  • The person with view-only access can usually still see sensitive information like transaction history, so only grant it to people you trust completely.
  • If someone with view-only access needs to take action (like paying a bill), you will have to give them a higher permission level or do it yourself.

Where view-only access is most useful

View-only access works best when you want someone to monitor or review without control. Common situations include an adult child watching a parent's bank account for fraud, a spouse reviewing shared finances without being able to move money unilaterally, an accountant or tax preparer reviewing your records before filing, or a caregiver checking on medical or insurance information.

It is less useful when the other person actually needs to take action — pay a bill, submit a form, update an address. In those cases, you either have to give them a higher permission level, do the task yourself, or find a middle ground like a one-time authorization to complete a specific action.

How to set up view-only access on your bank account

Most banks call this "read-only access" or "view-only user" and set it up through their online banking portal. Log into your account, look for a section called "Users," "Authorized Users," "Account Access," or "Permissions" — the name varies by bank. You will usually find it under Settings or Account Management.

You will need the other person's email address or phone number, and you will have to choose what they can see. Some banks let you restrict view-only users to specific accounts (so they see checking but not savings), while others give them access to everything. After you send the invitation, the other person will receive an email or text asking them to confirm, and then they can log in with their own credentials to view your account.

Check your bank's documentation or call their customer service line to confirm whether view-only users can see transaction history, pending transfers, and account numbers. Some banks show all of it; others hide sensitive details even from view-only users. If your bank does not offer view-only access, ask whether they have a "read-only report" or "statement sharing" feature instead.

How to set up view-only access on email and cloud storage

Gmail, Outlook, and other email providers do not have a built-in view-only access feature. If you want someone to monitor your email, you have to give them your full password or set up forwarding rules that send copies of incoming mail to their address. Neither is ideal. Forwarding is safer because they do not have your password, but they only see new messages, not your existing folders.

Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive do have view-only sharing. In Google Drive, right-click a file or folder, select "Share," type the person's email, and choose "Viewer" from the permission dropdown. In Dropbox, use "Shared links" and set the permission to "Can view only." In OneDrive, share the file and select "View" instead of "Edit." The person will see exactly what you shared and nothing else — they cannot access your other files or folders.

For cloud storage, view-only access is granular: you can share one folder with your accountant and a different folder with your adult child, and neither sees the other's folder. This is much safer than giving someone access to your entire account.

How to set up view-only access on social media and other platforms

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter do not offer view-only access to your account. If you want someone to help manage your account, you have to add them as a full manager or remove that feature entirely. Some platforms offer "authorized representatives" or "legacy contacts" — people who can access your account after you die or become unable to use it — but these are not the same as view-only access during your lifetime.

LinkedIn lets you designate an "Account Recovery Contact" who can help you regain access if you are locked out, but they cannot view your account while you are using it. If you need someone to help manage your LinkedIn profile, you have to share your password or add them as a full admin.

For other services — insurance portals, medical records, utility accounts, investment accounts — check the account settings for "Authorized User," "Delegate," "Proxy," or "Representative" options. The terminology and availability vary widely. If you cannot find a view-only option, contact customer service and ask what permission levels are available.

What view-only access does and does not protect

View-only access prevents someone from changing your password, deleting your account, transferring money, or modifying settings. It does not prevent them from seeing sensitive information like your transaction history, account balance, medical records, or personal documents. If you share view-only access with someone, assume they can see everything in that account.

View-only access also does not prevent someone from taking a screenshot, writing down information, or sharing what they see with a third party. If you are concerned about privacy, view-only access is safer than full access, but it is not a substitute for trust. Only grant it to people you would be comfortable showing your account to in person.

If the person with view-only access is a service provider like an accountant or financial advisor, ask whether they have a privacy policy or confidentiality agreement. Many professionals are bound by law to keep your information private, but not all platforms enforce this.

Revoking view-only access when you no longer need it

Go back to the same settings where you granted access — usually under "Users," "Authorized Users," "Sharing," or "Permissions" — and look for a "Remove," "Revoke," or "Delete" button next to the person's name. Click it, and their access ends when ready. They will no longer be able to see your account.

Some platforms send a notification to the person when you revoke their access; others do not. If you are concerned about the person's reaction or if there is a conflict, you may want to tell them in advance that you are removing their access, or you may prefer to do it without warning. That choice depends on your situation.

Keep a list of who has view-only access to which accounts, especially if multiple people are involved. Review it every six months or whenever your situation changes — a divorce, a job change, a move, or a family conflict may mean you want to revoke access you previously granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone with view-only access see my password?

No. View-only access uses a separate login — the person logs in with their own email and password, not yours. They never see your password. This is why view-only access is safer than sharing your password.

What if I need someone to pay a bill but I do not want to give them full access?

Most banks and service providers do not have a middle ground between view-only and full access. Your options are to do the task yourself, give them temporary full access and then revoke it, or ask the provider whether they offer one-time authorization for a specific payment. Some utilities and insurance companies can send a payment link that works once.

Can I give view-only access to my child's account to monitor their activity?

This depends on the platform and your child's age. Most services require the account holder to be 18 or older, and they are the only person who can grant access. If your child is under 18, check whether the platform offers parental controls instead. If your child is an adult, they have to grant you access themselves — you cannot do it without their permission.

Does view-only access work if I am using two-factor authentication?

Yes. Two-factor authentication protects your account from unauthorized login, and it does not interfere with view-only access. The person with view-only access logs in with their own credentials, not yours, so they do not need your two-factor codes.

What happens to view-only access if I change my password?

Changing your password does not affect view-only access. The person with view-only access logs in with their own password, not yours, so your password change does not lock them out. If you want to revoke their access, you have to do it manually through the account settings.