Due to the robust security within Apple's new macOS operating system, there is a high emphasis on data protection. Whether you're simply logging in, downloading new software, or trying to delete files or apps from the hard drive, you will always need to input your Mac password. Here are a few ways you can remember or reset it and get back to using your Mac.
Reset Mac Admin Password Using Your Apple ID. One of the simplest and easiest ways to reset.
How to avoid forgetting passwords?
Often when Mac users forget their passwords, it's the consequence of having a cluttered Mac. With an overload of information to sieve through every day, people have a tendency to forget information. So, first and foremost, you should clean up your Mac to make sure your new password is the one entering you into a tidy and organised computer.
With CleanMyMac X, you can remove large and unwanted files, organising your digital folders and clearing your physical headspace. With its smart, one-click cleaning approach and powerful scanning, you can swiftly dispose of useless documents and apps which may even be slowing your Mac down. With CleanMyMac, you can launch a Smart Scan, removing systems junk, photo and file duplicates, and everything else that will clog up your Mac.
In addition, this amazing tool is free to download, so what are you waiting for? Mac os x el capitan image.
How to reset a password
- Jul 12, 2018 On the Terminal application just write: resetpassword Then press enter and it will display a window like the one below, select HDD (1) and select your user account (2), fill the password box with your new password and then click save (3) After restarting the Mac, login with the new password and pop-up window will appear related keychain.
- Dec 21, 2020 Pop in the Mac OS X installer CD and hold the 'C' button while you restart your Mac. Wait until the Apple logo and the 'Mac OS X Utilities' window appear. On the menu bar at the top of the screen, click 'Utilities'. Click 'Terminal' and type 'resetpassword' in the prompt.
- Until the version 10.6, Mac OS X came on physical installation discs, and you could use the original Mac OS X install disc to reset your password. If you're still running an older version of the Mac OS X operating system and have the installation medium at hand, admin password recovery won't be a problem for you.
- Jun 24, 2020 Reset Admin Password on Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) The procedure is slightly different for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger). Restart the Mac in Single User Mode and run the following commands: Type sh /etc/rc / and press Enter.
Get a password hint
Before resetting your password, you should always check to see if the password hint jogs your memory. The ‘hint' is a phrase you entered relating to the password when you first set it up, and is triggered once you make 3 incorrect password attempts:
- Open System Preferences (the app with the cog icon).
- Select ‘Users & Groups.'
- Click the Lock icon in the bottom left to make changes.
- Press the Return key 3 times.
The screen will shake each time you press Return, with the third shake generating the password hint which will appear below the Password field. Hopefully this initiates a Eureka Moment making you remember the Login and brings an end to the password perils.
Sometimes though, the hint doesn't show up. That's because the Mac wasn't set up to show password hints in the Login Options – only modified by logging into your Mac. Fortunately, there are an array of other solutions to finding your password.
Change password from another account
In the event that you happen to share your Mac with another person, and they have their own account, you can use their Login to reset your password. Or, if you have a different account on the Mac that you know the password to, you can recover your Mac admin password by following these steps:
- Click on the Apple logo in the top left of the tools bar and click Log Out.
- Select the alternative account and enter the password.
- Open System Preferences > Users & Groups.
- Click the Lock icon in the bottom left.
- Enter the password again.
- In the Sidebar, select the account with the missing password.
- Click change password.
- Fill in the New Password, Verify and Password Hint fields.
- Click Change Password.
Now, the password for that account has been changed, allowing you to log in using the new password. However, this doesn't change the password for the Keychain (macOS's password management system), and you'll be asked when you log into the account to update the keychain password. This requires you to enter the old forgotten password, so you'll have to click ‘Create New Keychain'. Mac light brown.
This introduces a further problem, because if the other user isn't the registered Admin, they won't be able to change the password for you. Luckily, there is an alternative solution to recovering your password.
Use Recovery Mode
Apple provides a tool to replace a Mac's password through bypassing all of the previous steps. This is the best option if you don't have a password hint, can't log in via another account and have completely forgotten your password.
- Turn off your Mac.
- Press the power button whilst holding Command + R.
- The Mac will boot into Recovery Mode – when you see the load bar appear you can let go of the keys.
- Select ‘Disk Utility' and press Continue.
- Go to Utilities > Terminal.
- Enter ‘resetpassword' and press the Return key.
- Select the main hard drive.
- Select the User Account (the account you'd like to change).
- Enter a new password and create a password hint.
- Click Save – a warning will appear that the Keychain Password hasn't changed. Click OK.
- Shut Down your Mac and start it up again. Now you can log in using the new password.
Protect Your Data
Mac book text to speech alex. Due to the fact Recovery Mode provides a nifty means to resetting the Mac password, you may be wary that anyone can hack your Mac – and once someone accesses your Mac, you've usually lost control over it. So, it's a good job there's some interventions you can make to prevent this happening.
The best way to protect your data is to active FileVault encryption. This means that the Password Reset option won't become available unless you unlock it with Disk Utility. To turn it on and set it up:
- Choose Apple > System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
- Click the FileVault tab.
- Click the Lock icon, and enter Login credentials.
- Click Turn on FileVault.
Once done, you will receive a Recovery Key and a password, which you should take note of. If you lose these, your data won't be able to be recovered and will be lost forever.
Another effective way to protect the data on your Mac is to download tried and tested app CleanMyMac X. With automatic clean-ups and regular system monitors, your data is continuously observed and safeguarded from any piracy or hacking.
Use Target Disk Mode
If all else fails, Target Disk Mode can help you recover whatever you can from the lost Mac. Using another Mac, you can access the hard drive on the lost Mac and save any wanted data.
- Shut down the Mac.
- Connect to another Mac using a FireWire or Thunderbolt cable.
- Start up your Mac and hold the T key while it loads.
- This activates Target Disk Mode.
The hard drive from the lost Mac should now appear, allowing you to recover and save wanted data onto the new Mac.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned!
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