#Reset root password for mac os x how to

Turn your Mac back on after doing this, and your Mac will boot into Recovery Mode, directly opening the password recovery tool. This will be text at the bottom of the screen, and it will tell you to hold down your power button in order to turn your Mac off. If you use an Apple ID with your account, however, you will see a prompt after one minute. If you have FileVault disk encryption enabled and tied to an Apple ID, this all works a little differently: you won’t see a prompt like the one above, no matter how many times you get the password wrong. Reset The Password Using Apple ID or Recovery Key If those don’t work, you may be forced to reinstall macOS.

If you do have FileVault enabled, you can try resetting your password using your Apple ID or your FileVault recovery key. What To Do If You Do Have FileVault Enabled You can’t remove that UEFI firmware password without visiting an Apple Store-at least in theory. This helps prevent thieves from just erasing the UEFI password of a MacBook after they steal it. Note: In the unlikely event that you’ve enabled a UEFI firmware password on your Mac, you won’t be able to gain access to macOS Recovery unless you remember that password.

#Reset root password for mac os x how to

RELATED: How to Secure Your Computer With a BIOS or UEFI Password Wasn’t that easy? Almost too easy, which is why you should enable FileVault encryption if you haven’t already. The password reset tool launches, allowing you to change the password of any non-encrypted account. To launch the tool, open the Terminal by clicking Utilities > Terminal in the menu bar.Īt the Terminal prompt, type resetpassword, and then hit Enter. RELATED: 8 Mac System Features You Can Access in Recovery Mode This boots your Mac into a special recovery mode, also known as macOS Recovery. From macOS Recovery, you can access a hidden a password reset tool and use it to change any user account’s password on the Mac. You just need to restart your Mac and hold Command+R while it’s booting.

If you haven’t enabled FileVault encryption, there’s another easy way to reset any user account’s password. That’s it! Note that you’ll likely lose access to your Keychain, because that still uses your old password. After three wrong answers, you’ll see a “If you forgot your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID” message.Ĭlick the button and enter your Apple ID details to reset your password.Ĭreate a new password, and provide a new hint. If you’ve forgotten your password, just try entering the wrong password three times at the sign-in screen. If you enabled FileVault, you’ll need to try one of the other options we discuss later in this article. This trick only works if you’ve associated your Mac account with an Apple ID, and don’t have FileVault enabled. Just head to System Preferences > Users & Groups, click the account for which you’d like to change the password, and then click the “Reset Password” button. And if the account is an administrator account, you can then change the password for your primary account. If you gave that other user account permission to decrypt your Mac with its password, you’ll be able to sign in and access a desktop.

If you have more than one user account on your Mac, try signing in with a different user account. First Things First: Try Signing In As Another User If none of that works, you’re files are gone, and you’ll simply have to reinstall macOS. If you have enabled FileVault, you’ve got two potential options: your Apple ID can work if you have one, or you can use the passcode you were shown after starting the encryption process. If you haven’t enabled FileVault disk encryption, there’s an easy password-reset tool you can access. RELATED: How to Encrypt Your Mac's System Drive, Removable Devices, and Individual Files Fail enough times and you’ll be able to reset your password with your Apple ID. Can’t remember your Mac’s password? Don’t worry. With the default settings, you can simply try logging into your Mac.