Change your password through System Settings

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock or Applications folder), then click your Apple ID name at the top of the sidebar. Click "Password & Security" on the right side. You'll see "Change password" — click it and enter your current password to verify who you are.

macOS will ask you to create a new password. Type it in the first field, then type it again in the second field to confirm you didn't make a typo. Click "Change" and you're done. Your new password takes effect immediately on this Mac.

If you use iCloud or sign into other Apple services, this password change syncs across your devices. You'll need to sign back in on your iPhone, iPad, or other Macs the next time you use them — they won't automatically update.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Mac password and your Apple ID password are separate — changing one does not change the other.
  • You must enter your current password before macOS lets you set a new one, as a security check.
  • A strong Mac password uses uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid birthdays or common words.
  • If you forget your Mac password, you can reset it using your Apple ID, but the process takes time and you'll lose access to stored passwords until you verify your identity.

What happens if you forget your Mac password

If you can't remember your password and you're locked out of your Mac, you can reset it using your Apple ID. At the login screen, click "Forgot password?" and follow the prompts. macOS will send a verification code to a trusted device or phone number on file with your Apple ID.

After you verify your identity, you can create a new Mac password. This process usually takes a few minutes, but macOS will warn you that you won't be able to access passwords stored in Keychain (your Mac's password manager) until you enter your old password later. If you don't remember the old one, those stored passwords stay locked.

If you don't have access to a trusted device or phone number, you'll need to use Recovery Mode and your Apple ID to regain access. This is more involved — you may need to contact Apple Support if you get stuck.

The difference between your Mac password and Apple ID password

Your Mac password is what you type to unlock your computer when you turn it on or wake it from sleep. Your Apple ID password is what you use to sign into iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. They are two separate passwords, and changing one does not change the other.

If you want to change your Apple ID password instead, go to System Settings, click your Apple ID name, then click "Password & Security" and select "Change password." The steps are the same, but you're changing the password for your Apple account, not your Mac login.

Many people use the same password for both for convenience, but that's less secure. If someone learns one password, they can access both your Mac and your Apple account. Using different passwords means a breach in one place doesn't automatically compromise the other.

Create a password that's hard to guess

A strong password uses at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid birthdays, names of family members, pet names, or common words — these are the first things someone trying to break in will try.

A phrase works better than a single word: "BlueMoon$Laptop2024!" is stronger than "Password123" because it's longer and less predictable. You don't need to make it impossible to remember — just difficult enough that a casual guess won't work.

If you use a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, you can generate a completely random password and let the manager store it. Your Mac can also suggest a strong password when you change it — look for the "Suggest password" button in the password change window.

Change your password on a Mac you can't access

If your Mac is turned off or you're locked out and can't reach the login screen, you'll need to turn it on and get to the login prompt first. Hold the power button until the Mac shuts down completely, then turn it back on. When you see the login screen, you can use the "Forgot password?" option described above.

If your Mac is in Sleep mode and password-protected, you'll need to enter your current password to wake it. If you've forgotten it, you'll need to restart the Mac to reach the login screen where you can reset it.

If you're trying to change the password for a different user account on the same Mac, you'll need to log in as an administrator first. Go to System Settings, click "General," then "Users & Groups" (or "Users & Groups" in older macOS versions), select the account you want to change, and click "Change password." You'll need the administrator password to make changes to other accounts.

Why your password keeps getting rejected

If macOS says your current password is wrong when you try to change it, make sure Caps Lock is off — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" and "password" are different. Also check that you're not accidentally typing extra spaces at the beginning or end.

If you're certain your password is correct but it keeps being rejected, restart your Mac and try again. Sometimes a temporary glitch prevents the system from recognizing your input correctly. If restarting doesn't help, you may need to use the "Forgot password?" option to reset it.

If you see an error message about your password being too weak, macOS is rejecting it because it doesn't meet the system's security standards. Try a longer password with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. The system will usually tell you what's missing.

Change your password regularly for better security

There's no rule that says you must change your Mac password on a specific schedule, but changing it every few months reduces the risk that an old password has been compromised somewhere. If you use the same password across multiple services, changing it regularly on your Mac means someone who found it elsewhere can't use it to access your computer.

If you suspect someone else knows your password — because you shared it with someone who no longer needs access, or because you used it on a website that got hacked — change it right away. The sooner you do, the sooner you close that door.

Write your new password down in a secure place (a locked drawer, a password manager, or a safe) until you're sure you'll remember it. Don't write it on a sticky note on your monitor or save it in a text file on your desktop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Mac password without knowing the old one?

No, macOS requires you to enter your current password before you can set a new one. If you don't remember it, use the "Forgot password?" option at the login screen to reset it with your Apple ID. This is a security measure to prevent someone else from changing your password without your knowledge.

Will changing my Mac password affect my iCloud or App Store account?

No. Your Mac password and your Apple ID password are separate. Changing your Mac password does not change your Apple ID password, and vice versa. If you want to change your Apple ID password, you do that in the same System Settings menu, but it's a different action.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one right away?

Use "Forgot password?" at the login screen and reset it with your Apple ID. You can change it as many times as you need. Keep in mind that if you reset your password this way, you won't be able to access passwords stored in Keychain until you enter your old password later.

Do I need to change my password if I just got a new Mac?

Not necessarily. If you set up your new Mac with your Apple ID, you can use the same password you've always used. If you want to use a different password on the new Mac, you can set one during setup or change it afterward in System Settings.

Can I use the same password on my Mac and iPhone?

You can, but it's not recommended. If someone learns that password, they can access both devices. Using different passwords means a breach on one device doesn't automatically compromise the other. However, if you use the same Apple ID on both, you only need to change the Apple ID password once to update it everywhere.