Reset Mac Password

Published: 27th of February, 2023

If you forget your password for your Mac computer, there are some steps you can take to reset it. First, try the usual steps to reset your password. If that doesn't work, you can try some additional steps.

One way is to start up your computer in a special way called "macOS Recovery." To enter "macOS Recovery" start up your Mac and hold down the Command (⌘) and R keys simultaneously until the Apple logo or a spinning globe appears.

From the macOS Recovery screen. Select "Utilities" from the menu bar, then select "Terminal" from the drop-down menu. Then in the Terminal window, type "resetpassword" (without the quotes) and press "Return" to open the Reset Password assistant. If you're asked to select an admin user you know the password for, click “Forgot all passwords?”. You'll need to enter your new password information and choose which user account you want to reset the password for.

If none of these methods work, you may need to erase your Mac to reset the password. This will wipe everything off your computer, so make sure you have a backup of your important files first. Then you can reinstall the macOS operating system and set up a new password.