We’ve all been there before. You switch on your Mac and your mind goes completely blank. Somehow, you’ve managed to forget your Mac password that you’ve used for the last five years. And now you’re locked out.
Don’t panic though. We’ll help you get back up and running in absolutely no time. Just follow our handy tips down below…
Password reset for Mac
Luckily for us, Apple have baked in a bunch of different ways for you to reset your password and log back into your Mac.
Let’s start with the easiest one…
How to reset Mac password using Apple ID
Remember that Apple ID you linked to all your devices? Well, it’s now about to become very, very useful. It’s not just for downloading apps – it’s also your first-class ticket back into your Mac.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
On your Mac’s login screen, click on your username and then hit the ‘Forgot Password?’ option.
Enter your Apple ID email address and password.
Follow the instructions and they’ll show you how to make a new password.
Voila. Now you should be back in business. And you didn’t even need a magic wand!
Tech top tip: Add a useful password hint. This’ll show up on your login screen and it’s exactly what it sounds like. If you’re ever stumped, you can use it to remind you what your password is. The hint could just be one word, a sentence, or a special phrase. Just don’t put your actual password in there!
How do I unlock my Mac with FileVault key?
FileVault is your Mac’s secret weapon when it comes to all things data protection. Even if you’ve forgotten your password and your FileVault recovery key, you don’t need to stress about it. If you’ve switched on FileVault disk encryption, you can get access with a few steps:
Boot up your Mac and hold down the power button until the message ‘Enter your system lock PIN to unlock this Mac’ pops up on your screen.
Type in your PIN and your Mac will restart.
When your Mac reboots, your password will be reset, and you can login again.
If you didn’t have FileVault turned on, it’s definitely worth doing. It adds another protective layer of security to your Mac by encrypting all your important hard drive data. Which makes it harder for any unwanted users who are trying to hack into your laptop.
How to reset Mac password in recovery mode
If you’re still locked out, we’re going to need to call in the cavalry – aka the Recovery Mode.
Restart your Mac and hold down the Command and R keys until you see the Apple logo.
From the Utilities menu, pick ‘Terminal’.
Type ‘resetpassword’ and hit enter.
Follow the instructions on the screen to reset your password.
Reset a Mac password with another admin account
Got more than one admin account on your Mac? Then you’re in luck. You can use another admin account to reset the password for the one that’s locked:
Log into the other admin account.
Go to ‘System Preferences’ then ‘Users & Groups’.
Select the locked account and click the ‘Reset Password’ button.
Changing password on MacBook and iMac
Sometimes you might just want to change your password without getting locked out. Easy peasy. Here’s how:
Click the Apple menu (the button that looks like one) and choose ‘System Preferences’.
Go to ‘Users & Groups’.
Click the lock icon to make any changes and then click ‘Change Password’.
Follow the prompts to set a new password.
Tech top tip: Use a strong password. And don’t reuse it anywhere else either. To make your password tough to crack, it should include at least 12 characters, lower-case and upper-case letters, and a few numbers and special symbols mixed in for good measure. If you need a good idea, you can always use a password generator – which will generate a unique, hacker-proof password for you.
FAQs
What happens if I enter the wrong password too many times?
Your Mac might lock you out for a short time. You’ll then see a message saying that you can reset your password using your Apple ID (if that’s been set up). If not, you’ll need to use your other recovery options.
Can I reset my Mac password without an Apple ID?
Yes, you can – but only if you’ve set up a recovery option like a hint or another admin account. If you haven’t, your Apple ID is your main way back in. If you’re stuck, try restarting your Mac and using macOS Recovery to reset the password.
Will I lose my files if I reset my password?
Nope, you don’t have to worry about that. If you use FileVault though (Mac’s disk encryption), you’ll need your recovery key or Apple ID to unlock all your data. Without that, your files could be locked away for good!
Can I reset my password from another device?
Not directly. You can’t reset your Mac password from an iPhone or another computer. But you can go to appleid.apple.com on another device to reset your Apple ID password, which might help you unlock your Mac if it’s linked.
What if I forgot both my Mac password and Apple ID password?
That’ll have you in a tough spot, but there’s a couple of things you can do. First, try to reset your Apple ID password at appleid.apple.com. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to contact Apple Support. They’ll guide you through proving your identity and how to get back in.
How do I make sure I don’t forget my password again?
Here’s a few easy tips:
Use a password manager to store your login info.
Write it down and keep it somewhere safe (not on a sticky note stuck to your Mac!)
Pick a password that’s strong but memorable – like a favourite phrase or words you’re unlikely to forget.
Set up a recovery key or add a second admin account just in case.
Need more advice?
And there you go. A forgotten Mac password doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Maybe you want to learn a few other helpful Mac hacks too? If you want to take your productivity up a notch, here’s how to split screen on Mac. Or, if you really need it, we’ve got step by step instructions on factory resetting a MacBook.
