How to Reset or Change Your Mac Password
Forgot Apple computer admin password? Having trouble logging into your Mac because you forgot your password? Don’t worry, you can reset or change your Mac password fairly easily. Resetting your password doesn’t mean you’ll lose any files or data, it just allows you to set a new password so you can access your Mac again.
Here are several methods to reset or change your forgotten Mac password.
Also read: How To Find WiFi Password on Mac?
Forgot My Computer Password Mac- How to Reset It?
If you forgot the password to log in to your Mac, there are a couple of ways you can reset the password without losing any data or settings. The easiest way is to use Apple’s built-in password reset tools.
Here are a few options:
Method 1: Change Your Password
If you’re already logged into your Mac but want to change your current password, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open “System Preferences” from the Apple menu. Select “Users & Groups.”
Step 2: Click on the lock icon and enter your current password to make changes.
Step 3: Choose your username from the list on the left. Click “Change Password.” Make sure to check on the “Allow user to reset password using Apple ID” option.
Step 4: Enter your current password. Type in your new password and retype it for confirmation.
Step 5: Add a hint to help remember the new password.
Step 6: Click “Change Password” to confirm.
This allows you to reset your local account password using your Apple ID. You’ll be prompted to enter a new password to use going forward.
Also read: How to Unlock Your Macbook Pro Without Password
Method 2: Reset Password at Login Screen
If you can’t log into your Mac at all because you’ve forgotten the password, you can reset it at the login screen:
Step 1: Restart your Mac and arrive at the login screen.
Step 2: Click the arrow next to your user account name. Select Reset Password from the menu.
Step 3: Enter your Apple ID and password. Follow the onscreen prompts to reset your password.
This works even if you’re totally locked out of your Mac account. Your Apple ID verifies your identity so you can reset the password.
Method 3: Use Recovery Key to Reset Forgotten Password
If for some reason you can’t reset your password with your Apple ID, use your recovery key.
When you first create the account on your Mac, it generates a recovery key that can unlock the account. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Reboot your Mac into Recovery Mode by restarting and holding Command+R.
Step 2: Select Utilities > Terminal from the Recovery menu bar. Type “resetpassword” and hit Return.
Step 3: Select your user account and enter your recovery key when prompted. You’ll then be able to reset your password after providing the recovery key.
Locate your recovery key in Keychain Access if you don’t remember where you saved it.
Also read: How To Password Protect Folder on Mac
Method 4: Take your Mac to the Apple Store to Reset your Password
If none of the above options work because you don’t have your Apple ID or recovery key, you can take your Mac to the Apple Store to have the password reset for you. Bring proof of purchase or ownership.
An Apple Support employee can help verify your identity and reset your account password so you can access your Mac again.
Additional Tips to Reset Mac Password:
Reset Mac Admin Password
Forgot the admin password for your Mac? You’ll need to reset the admin password before you can make system-wide changes or install software.
Here are a few ways to reset a forgotten Mac admin password:
- Use recovery key – The recovery key for the admin account can reset the password from Recovery Mode.
- Take to Apple Store – Similar to a regular account, the Apple Store can verify your identity and reset the admin password.
- Reinstall macOS – Wiping the disk and reinstalling the OS resets all accounts, including admin. You’ll lose data though.
Make sure to save admin account recovery keys somewhere safe so you can access them if needed. Don’t store them on your Mac.
Reset iMac Password Without Losing Data
On an iMac, you don’t have to erase your whole hard drive just to reset a forgotten admin password. Use these methods instead to reset an iMac password without data loss:
- Apple ID – Reset your user account password directly on the iMac through your Apple ID.
- Recovery Key – The recovery key for your account will let you reset the password.
- External boot – Boot from an external drive, use Terminal to reset the password, then reboot.
- Password reset tool – Use a dedicated macOS password reset tool designed to recover access without deleting data.
- Apple Store – Take your iMac to Apple and they can unlock it without touching your files.
As long as you have your Apple ID, recovery key, or alternate boot drive, you can regain access to your locked iMac without having to erase and reinstall macOS.
Forgot Mac Firmware Password
Apple Macs also have an optional firmware password set in the Mac’s UEFI settings. If you set this and forget it, here is how to reset a forgotten Mac firmware password:
- Recovery Key – Use the recovery key to remove the firmware password.
- Apple Store – An Apple Genius can reset the firmware password if you have proof of ownership.
- Motherboard reset – Detach Mac’s motherboard battery for 15 minutes to reset NVRAM and firmware password.
You may lose data encrypting by FileVault if you reset a firmware password though. Avoid this by keeping the recovery key handy.’
Also read: 10 Best Password Managers For Mac
Conclusion
Resetting a forgotten Mac password is generally a straightforward process if you have the right tools. Using your Apple ID or recovery key, you can get back into a locked Mac without losing any data or settings. For admin passwords, recovery keys, and Apple Support can reset them for you.
Hopefully, with the password reset methods covered here, you’ll never be locked out of your Mac again due to a forgotten password. Just be sure to keep your Apple ID details and recovery keys in a safe place in case you ever need them. With the proper preparation, you can avoid a trip to the Apple Store or having to fully erase your Mac just to reset the password and regain access to your system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Can I Recover My iMac Password If I Forgot It?
If you’ve forgotten your iMac password, you can reset it using a couple of methods. One way is through the Apple ID recovery process. Restart your iMac and hold down Command + R until the Apple logo appears. Choose “Reset Password” from the Utilities menu and follow the prompts to reset your password using your Apple ID.
Q2. What Should I Do If I Forgot My Mac Computer Password?
For a Mac computer password reset, you can use your Apple ID or the Recovery Partition. Boot into Recovery Mode by restarting and holding Command + R. Select “Utilities” and then “Terminal.” Type “resetpassword” in Terminal, hit Enter, and follow the instructions to reset your password.
Q3. Can I Recover My Apple Computer Password Without Losing Data?
Yes, when you reset your Apple computer password using methods like the Apple ID or Recovery Mode, you shouldn’t lose any data. These methods change the login password without affecting your files and data. However, it’s always a good idea to have backups in case of any unexpected issues during the process.