Assume a Role

A role is assigned a specific set of tasks and permissions. Users may assume a different role than the one they have in order to perform a different set of tasks. For example, the primary administrator is unavailable and the backup administrator is asked to assume the role of the primary administrator during his or her absence.
A few points to consider before assuming a role:
  • A role must first be set up by an administrator.
  • You must log in as an IAM user, not as an account root user.
  • Once you assume another role, you temporarily give up your existing user permissions and assume the permissions of your new role.
  • When you are no longer assuming another role, your usual user permissions are automatically restored.