This mostly happens when the password is too difficult or auto-generated. Similarly, if you’re opening your Mac PC or laptop after a long time, then there are chances that you might forget the login credentials. However, there’s no need to worry since there are multiple ways through which you can reset your Mac password if you forget it. The next section will feature the details of the methods and their steps. But before that, if you did set up a password hint for your account’s password, then click the “?” icon on the login screen for the hint. It can help you remember the password and log in to your Mac.
How Can I Set a New Password for my Mac?
Firstly, you should try using your Apple ID for this purpose. If you didn’t set it up, then use FileVault, recovery mode, or another admin account to reset your password. But before moving on to them, make sure you’re at the login screen on your Mac. You can go there by restarting, powering on, or logging out of your Mac. You should see the Shut Down, Restart, and Sleep buttons on the window. Now, once you’re here, do the following:
Once done, use any of the methods below to reset your password.
Method 1: Using Apple ID
Having an Apple ID makes the job easier. So if you entered your Apple ID during the initial setup of your Mac, you should see the “Reset it (password) using Apple ID” option. Here’s what you need to do:
Method 2: Using the FileVault Recovery Key
If you turned on FileVault on your Mac, then you must have a Recovery Key that will allow you to change your Mac’s password very easily. Here’s what you need to do:
Method 3: Using the ResetPassword Command in Recovery Mode
If nothing works, then there’s always Recovery Mode to help you out. A simple command in Terminal will allow you to change your Mac’s password in a few seconds. Here’s how to enter recovery mode if your Mac is Intel-based: Here’s how to enter recovery mode if you’ve got an M1 Mac: Once you’re in recovery mode, follow the steps below to reset the password:
Method 4: Using Another Admin Account
This depends on the number of accounts you have on your Mac. If you have a secondary admin account apart from the one you’ve lost the password for, then you can use that one to recover the password. However, you must remember the password for the secondary admin account of your Mac. If you do, follow the steps below:
If you’re still unable to reset your password and log in to your account, then contact Apple’s Mac support and tell them the details. It can be an internal software issue, so the developer team will suggest some additional methods to fix it.
