If you forget your MacBook login password and cannot log in, you can use Apple's built-in tools to reset the forgotten login password and log in again. This article introduces several different tools that can unlock MacBook via Apple ID, Recovery Mode, and 'reset Password' assistant (if FileVault is turned on).
How to unlock MacBook Pro without password when Filevault is not enabled
Option 1: Use your Apple ID to reset Mac login password
If you've associated your user account with your Apple ID, and don't have FileVault enabled. You can use your Apple ID to reset your login password in some macOS versions.
Can't Remember Mac Administrator Password
Step 1: At the login screen, click your user account, click the question mark in the password field, then click the arrow next to 'reset it using your Apple ID'.
Turn off your Laptop. Turn on your laptop & Hold Command + R. Type resetpassword. RestPassword popup. 7.click Macintosh HD. Select the user account. Enter your Password. 10 Reenter your Password. 12 login password reset popup show up. 14 click apple logo. From the Mac login or boot screen, enter any wrong password three times to summon the 'Password Hint' box and a message saying 'If you forgot your password you can reset it using your Apple ID' click on that arrow icon to start the Apple ID based reset. How to reset a password from the login screen 1. Boot the Mac to the login screen.
Tip 1: If you don't see a message saying that you can reset your password using Apple ID after three attempts, your account isn't set up to allow resetting with Apple ID.
To factory reset your MacBook or iMac without losing data, you can first back up your Mac, then reset your Mac, and last recover your files from the backup. Each procedure is detailed below. Follow to see how to factory reset your MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, etc. On macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, or earlier operating systems with ease now. A welcoming graphical window will appear, allowing you to reset your admin password in a familiar way. Select the storage device that contains the operating system. Select the admin account. Click on the Change Password button. Enter a new password as well as a new password hint. Save and restart from the main menu. Log in with your new admin.
Step 2: Enter an Apple ID and password, then click Next.
Step 3: Create a new password, and provide a new hint.
Tip 2: If you can't remember your Apple ID or password, the Apple ID account website can help you find it. Go to the Apple ID account website, click 'Forgot Apple ID or password?' then follow the onscreen instructions. Read about how to reset your forgotten Apple ID password online.
Option 2: Reset Forgotten MacBook Password using Recovery Mode
If you haven't enabled FileVault encryption, you can access a hidden password reset tool and use it to reset any user account's password on the Mac.
Step 1: Restart your Mac, then immediately hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo appear.
Step 2: Select Disk Utility and click Continue. Click Utilities > Terminal.
Step 3: Enter resetpassword, all one word with lower-case letters, and then hit the Enter key.
Step 4: The password reset tool launches, allowing you to change the password of any non-encrypted account.
Step 5: Enter the new password, re-enter it in the verification field and add a password hint.
How to unlock MacBook Pro without password when Filevault is enabled
Option 1: Use the recovery key to reset your login password
If you turned on FileVault encryption and created a recovery key, you can use the recovery key to reset your login password.
- On your Mac, choose Apple menu > Restart, or press the Power button on your computer and then click Restart.
- Click your user account, click the question mark in the password field, then click the arrow next to 'reset it using your recovery key.'
- Enter the recovery key, then click Next. Follow the instructions to reset your login password.
Option 2: Reset Mac password using the Reset Password Assistant
If FileVault is turned on, you might be able to reset your password using the Reset Password assistant:
Step 1: Wait up to a minute at the login screen, until you see a message saying that you can use the power button on your Mac to shut down and start up again in Recovery OS.
Step 2: Press and hold the power button until your MacBook turns off.
Step 3: Press the power button again to turn on your Mac.
Step 4: When the Reset Password window appears, select the item labeled 'I forgot my password,' and then click or tap the Next button.
Step 5: Enter the FileVault recovery key or the Apple ID password to unlock the disk 'Macintosh HD', depending on the option you used when you turned FileVault on originally, and then select the Next button. The startup volume will be unlocked.
Step 6: A list of user accounts will be shown. Select the account whose password you wish to reset, then click or tap the Next button.
Step 7: Enter a new password, verify the password, and provide a new password hint, then click the Next button.
Step 8: The account password will be reset. When you're ready, click the Restart button. Then, you should be able to boot up your Mac and log in to your account with your new password.
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.
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?
How to reset a password
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: Photoshop essentials software.
- 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'.
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
What To Do If You Forgot Your Macbook Pro Password How Do I
Step 1: Restart your Mac, then immediately hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo appear.
Step 2: Select Disk Utility and click Continue. Click Utilities > Terminal.
Step 3: Enter resetpassword, all one word with lower-case letters, and then hit the Enter key.
Step 4: The password reset tool launches, allowing you to change the password of any non-encrypted account.
Step 5: Enter the new password, re-enter it in the verification field and add a password hint.
How to unlock MacBook Pro without password when Filevault is enabled
Option 1: Use the recovery key to reset your login password
If you turned on FileVault encryption and created a recovery key, you can use the recovery key to reset your login password.
- On your Mac, choose Apple menu > Restart, or press the Power button on your computer and then click Restart.
- Click your user account, click the question mark in the password field, then click the arrow next to 'reset it using your recovery key.'
- Enter the recovery key, then click Next. Follow the instructions to reset your login password.
Option 2: Reset Mac password using the Reset Password Assistant
If FileVault is turned on, you might be able to reset your password using the Reset Password assistant:
Step 1: Wait up to a minute at the login screen, until you see a message saying that you can use the power button on your Mac to shut down and start up again in Recovery OS.
Step 2: Press and hold the power button until your MacBook turns off.
Step 3: Press the power button again to turn on your Mac.
Step 4: When the Reset Password window appears, select the item labeled 'I forgot my password,' and then click or tap the Next button.
Step 5: Enter the FileVault recovery key or the Apple ID password to unlock the disk 'Macintosh HD', depending on the option you used when you turned FileVault on originally, and then select the Next button. The startup volume will be unlocked.
Step 6: A list of user accounts will be shown. Select the account whose password you wish to reset, then click or tap the Next button.
Step 7: Enter a new password, verify the password, and provide a new password hint, then click the Next button.
Step 8: The account password will be reset. When you're ready, click the Restart button. Then, you should be able to boot up your Mac and log in to your account with your new password.
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.
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?
How to reset a password
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: Photoshop essentials software.
- 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'.
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
What To Do If You Forgot Your Macbook Pro Password How Do I
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
Can't Remember Password For Macbook
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.
Imac Forgot Admin Password No Disc
Thanks for reading and stay tuned!
Unlock Macbook Pro Without Password
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