You can reset a forgotten Mac password using your Apple ID, recovery key, or another admin account

If you cannot remember your Mac password, you have three main paths forward. The fastest is using your Apple ID — Apple stores a backup of your password hint and can help you reset it. If you set up a recovery key when you created your account, that works too. If neither of those is available, you can reset the password from another admin account on the same Mac. Each method takes a different amount of time and requires different information you may or may not have on hand right now.

The method you use depends on what you set up when you first created your account and what access you have right now. Start with the Apple ID method if you remember that password. If not, move to the recovery key. If you have neither, the admin account method is your last option — but it only works if someone else on your Mac has an admin account and can help you.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Apple ID is the fastest way to reset your password if you remember that password and have internet access.
  • A recovery key — a 28-character code you may have saved when you set up your account — can reset your password without needing your Apple ID password.
  • Another admin account on the same Mac can reset your password, but only if that person is physically present and logged in.
  • After you reset your password, you should update your password hint so you remember it next time, and consider writing down a recovery key in a safe place.

Resetting your password using your Apple ID

This method works if you remember your Apple ID password. At the login screen, click the question mark icon next to the password field. This opens a password hint window. Click "Reset it" or "Forgot password?" — the exact wording depends on your macOS version. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID and password.

Once you enter your Apple ID credentials, your Mac will send a verification code to a trusted device — usually your iPhone or another Mac. Check that device, find the code, and enter it back into your Mac. After verification, you can create a new password. Make sure it is something you will actually remember this time, or write it down and store it somewhere safe like a password manager.

If you do not have access to a trusted device that can receive the verification code, you cannot use this method. Move to the recovery key method instead.

Using a recovery key to reset your password

A recovery key is a 28-character code that Apple generates when you set up two-factor authentication on your account. If you saved this code when you created your account, you can use it to reset your password without needing your Apple ID password. Look for it in your email, a notes app, or anywhere you may have stored important codes.

At the login screen, click the question mark icon next to the password field and select "Reset it." When prompted for your Apple ID, enter it. Instead of waiting for a verification code on another device, select the option to use your recovery key. Enter the 28-character code exactly as you have it written down. After verification, you can create a new password.

If you cannot find your recovery key anywhere, this method will not work. You will need to use the admin account method or contact Apple Support for additional options.

Resetting your password from another admin account

If another person on your Mac has an admin account, they can reset your password without needing your Apple ID or recovery key. That person needs to be logged into their own account on the same Mac. Have them open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), then navigate to General > Users & Groups. They may need to click the lock icon and enter their own password to make changes.

Your account should appear in the list on the left. The admin user should click your account, then click "Reset Password" at the bottom of the window. They can set a temporary password for you, which you can change to something you prefer the next time you log in. This method requires the other person to be present and have their password ready.

This is the only method that works completely offline, with no internet connection needed. However, it only works if someone else with admin access is available to help you.

What to do after you reset your password

Once you are back into your Mac, take a few minutes to set yourself up so this does not happen again. Open System Settings and go to General > Users & Groups. Click your account and then "Password" to change your temporary password to something permanent. Update your password hint to something that will actually help you remember it — not something too obvious, but something meaningful to you.

If you do not already have a recovery key saved, generate one now. In System Settings, go to your Apple ID settings, then click "Password & Security." You should see an option to view or generate a recovery key. Write this down on paper and store it somewhere safe — a drawer, a safe, or with important documents. Do not store it only on your computer, because you will not be able to access it if you forget your password again.

If none of these methods work for you

If you do not have access to your Apple ID password, a recovery key, or another admin account, you have reached the limit of what you can do on your own. At this point, you will need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. Bring proof of ownership — your receipt, your Apple ID confirmation email, or any documentation that shows the Mac is yours.

Apple can verify your identity through your account information and help you regain access. This process takes longer than the methods above and may require you to leave your Mac with them for a day or two. It is worth doing rather than attempting workarounds that could damage your system or data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password if I do not have internet?

Only if another admin account exists on your Mac. That person can reset your password from their account without needing the internet. All other methods require an internet connection to verify your identity with Apple.

What if I have a recovery key but cannot find it?

If you cannot locate it, try the Apple ID method instead. If you do not remember your Apple ID password either, you will need to use another admin account or contact Apple Support.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your password only changes how you log in. Your files, photos, and everything else on your Mac stays exactly where it is. You will still be able to access everything once you log in with your new password.

How do I prevent this from happening again?

Write down your recovery key and store it somewhere safe outside your computer. Create a password hint that actually helps you remember it. Consider using a password manager to store your passwords securely, so you only have to remember one strong master password.

Can someone else reset my password without my permission?

Only if they have an admin account on your Mac and physical access to it. This is why you should not share your Mac with people you do not trust, and why you should use a strong password on any admin accounts.