A password is still the most popular way to secure a Mac. Since these devices are often crucial in our daily lives, forgetting a password can be extremely inconvenient. Fortunately, solutions exist. Forgot your Mac login password or even the admin password? Keep reading to find out how to retrieve them.
Also read: How to Hide User Accounts from macOS Login Screen
Reset Mac Login Password
When you first buy a Mac, whoever sets it up will become the computer’s administrator. The admin will set up a password, which is often different than the one you use to log in to your computer.
If you’ve forgotten your Mac’s login password, try one or both of the options below.
1. Reset Your Mac Login Password Using Your Apple ID
The easiest way to reset your Mac’s login password is to use your Apple ID. To do this:
1. Restart your Mac. After it restarts, enter your password incorrectly three times.
2. Click on the message that appears beneath the password entry that explains that you can use your Apple ID to reset your credentials.
3. Enter your Apple ID and password before clicking on “Reset Password.”
4. Your computer will reboot into Recovery Assistant, and a window asking you to reset your password will appear. Enter your new details before clicking on “Next.”
To reset your Mac using your Apple ID, you’ll need to have enabled this option. You can do this by going to “System Preferences -> Users & Groups” and ticking the box next to “Allow user to reset password using Apple ID.”
2. Reset Your Mac Login Password Using Recovery Mode
To enter Recovery Mode, you’ll need to restart your computer and hold down Command + R until the Apple logo appears. Then choose “Disk Utility” from the list of options:
1. Click on “Utilities” and go to “Terminal.”
2. In the terminal, type:
resetpassword
Once you’ve done that, hit Enter and choose your computer’s hard drive.
3. Choose your user account and reset your password.
After setting your new password, restart your computer. Try logging in with your new password. Everything should now be back to normal, yet with a new password.
Reset the Mac Admin Password
While you use your login password to sign in to your Mac, the admin password allows you to perform administrative tasks. You need these credentials to do things like removing some apps or accessing certain parts of your device.
Below, find out how to reset your admin password whether you have one or multiple administrators.
1. Reset the Admin Password (Single Admin)
If your Mac has only one admin, you would need to know your old password to reset it while logged in to your computer.
You can, however, reset it by going into Recovery Mode.
1. Hold Command + R to reboot your device.
2. Launch the terminal and type:
resetpassword
Then press the Enter key.
3. Select your admin account and enter a new password.
4. After confirming everything, restart your Mac.
2. Reset the Admin Password (Multiple Admins)
When you have more than one admin on your Mac, changing an admin password is straightforward.
To complete the steps below, you’ll need to be one of your Mac’s admins.
1. Click on the Apple logo in the top left of your Mac’s screen.
2. Go to “System Preferences -> Users & Groups.”
3. Click on the padlock icon at the bottom of the window and enter your login password.
4. Look for the “Other Users” section in the left sidebar and select the admin’s profile that needs the new password.
5. Click the “Reset Password” button.
6. Enter the new password in the “New Password” box, then re-enter it in “Verify.”
7. Inform the administrator that you’ve changed their password.
Reset Your iCloud Password
To reset your iCloud password:
1. Go to iforgot.apple.com, enter your Apple ID, and press “Continue.”
2. Go to your Mac’s Notification Center. Here, you should see a “Reset Password” notification. Hover over this and tap on the “Show” button.
3. When the next window opens, select “Reset Password.”
4. Enter your Mac’s login password and click on “Allow.”
5. Type in the new password and confirm your changes. Your password should change straightaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why won’t my Mac let me reset my password?
If your Mac won’t let you reset an admin password, you might not have the permission to do so. If the option to reset with your Apple ID won’t show up in the login page, it’s probably because you haven’t enabled this option.
2. Can I log in to my Mac without my password?
Yes, but only if you have set up Automatic Login. Otherwise, you’ll need your credentials to sign in.
Wrapping Up
If you forgot your Mac password, changing your information doesn’t need to be complicated if you know how to use Terminal. Whether you can’t remember the login details, your admin password, or how to get into your iCloud account, the processes for each are simple.
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