It’s a heart-stopping moment: you sit down at your Mac, ready to work, and your mind goes blank.
You’ve forgotten your Mac login password.
After trying every combination you can think of, that little shake of the password field confirms your fear—you’re locked out.
But don’t worry.
If you need to reset your password, you have several options. Whether you need to use your Apple ID, enter Recovery Mode, or utilize a FileVault recovery key, this guide will help you regain access to your Mac.
We’ll walk you through every reset option so you can create a new password and get back to your digital life without needing to erase your Mac.
If a question mark appears next to the password field, it’s a signal that help is on the way, showing you password reset options right on the login screen.
01
of 08I Forgot My Macbook Password: Understanding the Password Problem
Forgetting your login password is more common than you think.
When you enter the wrong password three times, your Mac will start offering help. You might see a password hint if you set one up, or a message may appear offering to let you reset your password using your Apple ID.
If you see a question mark in the password field, clicking it will reveal the available password reset options.
These features are built into macOS specifically for this situation, so you can unlock your Mac without losing your data.
The key is not to panic.
macOS provides multiple secure pathways to reset the password for your Mac user account. The method you use will depend on your settings, specifically whether you’ve associated your account with an Apple ID or enabled FileVault disk encryption.
Each path is designed to verify your identity before allowing you to create a new password, ensuring your data remains secure even when you can’t remember the password.
02
of 08Method 1: Reset Your Mac Password with Your Apple ID
For most users, the simplest way to reset your password is to use your Apple ID.
This option is available if you’ve linked your Apple account to your Mac user account during setup. It’s a straightforward process designed to get you back in quickly.
After entering an incorrect login password a few times, you should see a message offering to reset it using your Apple ID.
To proceed, click the arrow icon next to the message.
You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password. Once you successfully sign in with your Apple ID, the Reset Password assistant will launch, guiding you through the steps to create a new password for your Mac.
This method is incredibly convenient because it doesn’t require you to restart your Mac into any special modes.
It’s the first thing you should try when you’ve forgotten your Mac login password.
03
of 08Method 2: Use macOS Recovery Mode for a Deeper Reset
If you can’t reset your password using your Apple account or that option doesn’t appear, your next best bet is to start up from macOS Recovery.
Recovery Mode is a powerful, built-in utility that lets you perform essential system tasks, including a password reset.
To enter macOS Recovery, you’ll need to restart your Mac and hold down a specific key combination immediately.
For Intel-based Macs, hold down Command (⌘) + R. For Macs with Apple silicon, press and hold the power button until the startup options window appears, then select Options and click Continue.
Once in Recovery Mode, you can access the Reset Password assistant.
Go to the Utilities menu in the menu bar and select Terminal. In the Terminal window, type resetpassword and press Return.
This opens the assistant, which will allow you to select the user account whose password you’ve forgotten, and then you can enter the new password.
This powerful option lets you reset your Mac password even without your Apple ID.
When I was testing these methods on a spare MacBook Pro, I found the Recovery Mode approach to be surprisingly user-friendly.
When I first entered the recovery environment, I was worried it would be overly technical. However, launching the Reset Password assistant from the Terminal was a one-command affair.
In my field test, the result was a complete success; I was prompted to choose the locked account and set a new password.
The whole process took less than five minutes and didn’t touch any of my files, which is a huge relief when you think you might have to erase your Mac.
04
of 08Comparison of Password Reset Methods
| Reset Method | Ease of Use | Key Requirement | Data Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple ID | Very Easy | Linked Apple Account | None |
| macOS Recovery Mode | Moderate | Key command at startup | None |
| FileVault Recovery Key | Moderate | Pre-saved Recovery Key | None |
| Another Admin Account | Easy | A second admin user | None |
| Erase Mac | Hard | Apple ID / Password | Complete Data Loss |
05
of 08Method 3: Using a FileVault Recovery Key
If you have FileVault disk encryption enabled on your Mac, the process has an extra layer of security.
FileVault protects your data by encrypting the entire drive, and when you set it up, you are given a FileVault recovery key. This alphanumeric code is your master key.
If you’ve forgotten your macbook password, you can use this recovery key at the login screen to unlock your Mac.
After entering the wrong password three times, you might see a prompt to reset the password using your Recovery Key.
Enter your recovery key exactly as it was given to you, including the hyphens. If you enter it correctly, you’ll be able to create a new password and regain access.
This is why it’s critical to store your recovery key in a safe place, separate from your computer.
Without it, and without another way in, you risk losing access to your data permanently.
06
of 08Method 4: Reset Your Password with Another Admin Account
Do you share your Mac with someone else who has an administrator account?
If so, you’re in luck. You can ask the other mac user to log in to their account and reset your password for you.
This is one of the easiest ways to solve the problem if you have another user you know the password for.
Here’s how to reset your macbook password with another admin:
Have the other admin log in to your Mac.
They should go to System Settings (or System Preferences) > Users & Groups.
After unlocking the settings with their admin password, they can select your mac user account from the list.
They will see a “Reset Password…” button. Clicking this allows them to enter a new password for your account.
This method is fast, simple, and doesn’t require any special restarts or recovery keys.
It’s a perfect example of why having a secondary admin account on a shared or family computer can be a lifesaver when you can’t remember the password.
07
of 08When All Else Fails: The Erase Mac Option
This is the last resort.
If you have tried every other method, cannot use your Apple ID, don’t have the FileVault recovery key, and there are no other admin accounts, your only remaining option to reset may be to erase your Mac.
The “Erase Mac” option is available in Recovery Mode and will wipe all data from your Mac, returning it to its factory settings.
You should only consider this if you have a recent backup of your important files.
While drastic, it guarantees you’ll be able to use your computer again. After the erase is complete, you can reinstall macOS and set up the computer from scratch, creating a new password in the process.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s a surefire way to resolve the issue when you’re completely locked out.
08
of 08How to Prevent This from Happening Again
Once you successfully reset your Mac password and are back in your account, take a few moments to prevent future lockouts.
First, consider creating a password hint. This is a simple clue you can set in the Users & Groups settings that will appear on the login screen after a few failed attempts.
Make it something that only you would understand.
Second, ensure your Mac user account is linked to your Apple ID.
As we’ve seen, this provides the easiest path for a password reset. Finally, consider using a password manager.
These applications securely store all your passwords, so you only have to remember one master password.
This not only helps you avoid forgetting your Mac login password but also enhances your security across all your online accounts.
FAQ
What should I do if I forgot my MacBook password?
If you forgot your password, you can reset it using the reset options in recovery mode. Restart your Mac and hold down Command (⌘) + R until the Apple logo appears. From there, you can access the reset password assistant.
How can I restart my Mac to reset my password?
To restart your Mac, simply click on the Apple menu and select “Restart.” If you need to reset your password, hold down Command (⌘) + R during startup to enter macOS recovery.
Can I use another admin account to reset my password on a Mac?
Yes, if you have another admin account on your Mac, you can use it to reset your password. Log in to the admin account, go to System Preferences, and select Users & Groups. From there, you can change the password for your locked account.
What are the steps to reset your password using your Apple ID?
If you’ve enabled the option to use your Apple ID for password recovery, you can reset your password by clicking on the question mark in the password field on the login screen. Follow the prompts to enter your Apple ID and reset your password.
How do I access the password reset assistant on my Mac?
To access the password reset assistant, restart your Mac in recovery mode by holding Command (⌘) + R during startup. Once in recovery mode, select “Utilities” from the menu bar and then choose “Terminal.” Type “resetpassword” to launch the assistant.
What should I do if my password doesn’t work after resetting it?
If your password doesn’t work after you’ve attempted to reset it, ensure that you are entering it correctly. If issues persist, you may need to erase your Mac and reinstall macOS, which can be done through recovery mode.
Can I show password reset options if I’m locked out of my Mac?
Yes, if you’re locked out of your Mac, you can access password reset options during the login attempt. Click on the question mark next to the password field, and you will see the options to reset your password using your Apple ID or to access the reset options in recovery.
Is it possible to change my Mac password quickly and easily?
Yes, you can change your Mac password quickly and easily by using the reset options. If you remember your current password, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups, select your user account, and click on “Change Password.” If you forgot it, follow the recovery steps mentioned above.
