Forgot your Mac password? This is what you should do

The strict security features of Apple devices are unique and are one of the main reasons for their popularity. But with dozens (or possibly hundreds) of passwords to remember in life, you might forget your Mac password. Fortunately, Apple offers several ways to recover your password.

Keep reading to learn more.

How to reset forgotten Mac password

If you forgot your user account password on your Mac, you can reset it from the login screen. The login screen appears after you have turned on, signed out, or restarted your Mac. This window differs from the one that appears when you stop the screen saver or wake up your Mac, but the password is the same.

You’ll know if you’re in the reboot window if you can see the “Restart,” “Shut Down,” and “Sleep” options. If the “Change User” option appears, click it to access the login screen.

If you see no or other buttons, restart your Mac or press and hold the power button until it turns off (takes up to 10 seconds). Once your Mac turns back on, the login screen will appear.

After entering your password incorrectly three times, you should see one of the following options to reset passwords.

Option one: Reboot and show password options

1. If you see the “Reboot and show password reset options” option, select it to reboot, and then do one of the following:
   • If prompted, sign in with your Apple ID and you may need to add the verification code sent to your other devices.
     
2. If prompted, enter your FileVault recovery key. Select your account to reset the password and then press “Next.”
   
3. Type your new password and then “Next.”
   
4. Once the reboot process is complete, choose “Restart.”
   

Option two: Reset your password with your Apple ID

1. If the option to reset your password using your Apple ID is available, select it.
   • If your Mac restarts, complete the steps in the Option One p above.
   • Enter your Apple ID, then select “Reset Password” if prompted.
2. If you are prompted to create a keychain to hold the user’s password, choose “OK” to restart.
3. If you are prompted to choose an administrator account whose password you know, select “Forgot all passwords?”
4. If a “Reset Password” pop-up appears with the “Deactivate Mac” option, choose Deactivate Mac” and then “Deactivate” to verify. This action is temporary.
5. Enter a new, strong password and then press “Next.”
6. Once the process is complete, click “Restart.”

Option Three: Reset Password Using Your Recovery Key

1. Select the option to reset with your recovery key.
   
2. Enter your FileVault recovery key.
   
3. Enter a new, strong password, then “Reset Password.”
   

How to reset your Mac password when you sign in

If you want to change your current password, you can do so after you have logged in. If you forgot your password and can’t access your Mac, see the “How to reset your forgotten Mac password” p above.

Here’s how to change your password when you’re already logged in.

1. Click the Apple menu icon at the top left of the screen.
   
2. Select “System Preferences.”
   
3. Then “Users and groups”.
   
4. Choose “Change Password.”
   
5. Enter your current password.
   
6. Enter a new password, then re-enter it in the “Verify” field. If you want help deciding on a strong password, tap the Key icon next to the “New Password” field.
   
7. You can add a hint to remember your password. This will appear if you enter an incorrect password three consecutive times or if you select the question mark in the password field.
   
8. Choose “Change Password.”
   

Forgotten Mac Password Without Internet

You can also reset your password by accessing Mac Recovery. Recovery Mode is a tool you can load before macOS starts to fix any problems with your Mac.

Starting Mac Recovery is easy; However, the process will differ slightly depending on whether you are using an Intel Mac or M1 processor. Here are the steps for both.

Boot into recovery mode with Intel Mac

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the “Power” button.
   
3. When it turns on, immediately press and hold the “Cmd + R” buttons.
   
4. Release the buttons once the Apple logo appears.
5. Your Mac should enter recovery mode now.

Boot into recovery mode with an M1 Mac

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press and hold the “Power” button.
   
3. Release the “Power” button when the charging start options are displayed.
4. Select “Options” and then “Continue.”
5. If prompted, enter your administrator password.

Access the password reset tool

1. From the main menu bar in Recovery Mode, select “Utilities”.
   
2. Then find “Terminal” and click on it.
   
3. In the new command window, enter “reset password” and then press “Return.”
   
4. Close the Terminal window to access the “Reset Password” tool.
5. Now follow the instructions, which include signing in with your Apple ID and then choosing the account whose password you want to change.

I forgot my Apple ID

If you don’t remember the email address or number used for your Apple ID, you can find it or check to see if you’re signed in to another service or app.

Here we explain how to find it on your iOS device.

• Press “Settings,” then your name.

Here’s how to find it on your Mac.

1. Click the Apple menu icon at the top left.
   
2. Select “System Preferences.”
   
3. Then click “Apple ID.”
   

You can also find it on your computer.

• Launch “iCloud for Windows”, then your Apple ID should appear below your name.

Here are other ways to find your Apple ID:

• Check if you’re already signed in to the App Store, Messenger, or FaceTime on any of your Apple devices. Or check if you’re signed in to iTunes on your PC.
• You also have the option to go to appleid.apple.com either iCloud.com. Check if your Apple ID is pre-populated on the sign-in screen.
• Alternatively, check your inbox for emails from Apple, as your Apple ID may be included. Repair, receipt, billing, or support emails from Apple may include your ID. However, if your Apple ID is masked, the number of asterisks may not correspond to the number of characters in your Apple ID.

Successful Mac Password Reset

Your login password is required to unlock your Mac once you turn it on or activate it. If you forgot your password and haven’t enabled a password hint, luckily there are several ways to reset it.

The method you use depends on several factors. These include whether your Apple ID is linked to your user account, whether you have FileVault set up, the model of Mac you are using, and whether you have Internet access. In the future, a great way to help you remember is to set up and enable the password hint feature.

What method did you use to reset your password successfully? Tell us in the comments p below.