What you can do about a Mac password

You can remove a password from your Mac account, reset a password you have forgotten, or change your current password — but the steps differ depending on which one you need. If you remember your password, you can change it yourself in System Settings. If you have forgotten it, you will need either another admin account on the same Mac, your Apple ID, or physical access to your Mac and recovery mode. Removing a password entirely (so your Mac logs in without one) is possible but leaves your account less secure.

The method you use depends on what access you have right now. If you are locked out completely with no recovery options, you may need to erase your Mac and start over. Most people, though, will find a working path within the first few options below.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your current password, you can change it to a new one through System Settings in under a minute.
  • If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID, another admin account, or Recovery Mode.
  • Removing a password entirely requires your current password or admin access, and will make your Mac less secure.
  • If you are locked out and have no other admin account or Apple ID recovery option, you will need to erase and reinstall macOS.

Changing your password when you remember it

Open System Settings and click Users & Groups (or Users & Accounts, depending on your macOS version). Click the lock icon in the bottom left and enter your current password to unlock the settings. Select your account from the list on the left, then click the Change Password button.

Enter your current password in the first field, then type your new password twice — once in the "New Password" field and once in the "Verify" field. Click Change Password to save it. Your Mac will use the new password the next time you log in.

Resetting a forgotten password with your Apple ID

At the login screen, click the question mark or "Forgot password?" link if one appears. Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the prompts. Apple will send a verification code to a trusted device or phone number on file. Enter that code, then create a new password for your Mac account.

This method works only if you set up your Mac account with an Apple ID and have access to that Apple ID's recovery email or phone number. If you do not see a password reset option at the login screen, your account may not be linked to an Apple ID, and you will need to use a different method.

Resetting a password using another admin account

If another person on your Mac has an admin account and knows their password, they can reset yours. That person should open System Settings, go to Users & Groups, click the lock icon to unlock it, select your account, and click the Reset Password button. They will enter a new temporary password for you, which you can change to something else the next time you log in.

This method requires that the other account actually has admin privileges. Standard user accounts cannot reset passwords. If you are unsure whether an account is admin, the person can check by opening System Settings, Users & Groups, and looking for an "Admin" label next to their name.

Resetting a password in Recovery Mode

Restart your Mac and hold Command + R immediately after you hear the startup sound (or on newer Macs with Apple silicon, hold the power button until "Loading startup options" appears, then select Options). This boots your Mac into Recovery Mode. From the Utilities menu, select Terminal.

In Terminal, type resetpassword and press Enter. A password reset window will open. Select your Mac volume from the dropdown, then select your user account. Enter a new password twice and click Reset Password. Restart your Mac normally and log in with the new password. Recovery Mode works even if you have forgotten your password, but it requires you to be physically at the Mac. If your Mac has a firmware password set, you will need to enter that before Recovery Mode will start.

Removing a password entirely

Open System Settings, go to Users & Groups, and click the lock icon to unlock it. Select your account and click Change Password. Leave both the "New Password" and "Verify" fields blank, then click Change Password. Your Mac will now log in without asking for a password.

Removing your password makes your Mac faster to start but less secure — anyone with physical access to your computer can log in to your account. If your Mac contains sensitive files or connects to a work network, keeping a password is strongly recommended. You can always add a password back later by following the same steps and entering a password instead of leaving the fields blank.

What to do if you are completely locked out

If you have no other admin account, cannot access your Apple ID recovery options, and cannot boot into Recovery Mode, your only option is to erase your Mac and reinstall macOS. This will delete all files on your Mac unless you have a backup. You will need either another Mac with internet access or a USB drive with macOS installed on it.

Start your Mac in Recovery Mode (Command + R on Intel Macs, or power button on Apple silicon Macs), open Disk Utility, select your Mac's hard drive, and click Erase. Then reinstall macOS from the Recovery Mode menu. After installation, you will set up your Mac as new and create a new account with a password you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove my password without knowing the current one?

No — you need either your current password, another admin account on the same Mac, your Apple ID recovery option, or access to Recovery Mode. If you have none of these, you will need to erase and reinstall macOS.

What happens to my files if I reset my password?

Your files remain on your Mac. Resetting or changing your password does not delete anything. Only erasing your Mac in Recovery Mode will remove files, and that is a separate step you choose to do.

Will resetting my password in Recovery Mode work if I have a firmware password?

No — if a firmware password is set, you must enter it before Recovery Mode will start. If you have forgotten the firmware password, you will need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Can I change my password from a different computer?

No — you must change your password on the Mac itself, either by logging in or by using Recovery Mode on that Mac. You cannot change a Mac password remotely from another computer.

What is the difference between changing and resetting a password?

Changing a password means you know your current password and are replacing it with a new one. Resetting a password means you have forgotten it and are creating a new one using a recovery method like Apple ID or another admin account.