It’s a moment of pure, ice-in-your-veins panic. You’re staring at your MacBook’s login screen, the cursor blinking patiently in the password field, and your mind is a total blank.
You’ve forgotten your Mac login password.
Before you consider throwing your expensive machine out the window, take a deep breath. Being locked out of your Mac is incredibly frustrating, but it’s almost always fixable, and you likely won’t lose your data.
If you forget your password, there are several built-in reset options that Apple provides to help you regain access to your Mac.
This guide is your key to getting back in. We’ll walk you through the simplest ways to reset your Mac password, from using your Apple ID to leveraging the powerful macOS Recovery mode.
You won’t need to be a tech genius; just follow these steps to create a new password and get back to your digital life.
After entering the wrong password three times, your Mac will often show a password hint or a reset message, which is your first clue that help is on the way.
01
of 08Quick Comparison of Mac Password Reset Methods
| Method | Best For | Requirements | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple ID | Most users | Apple ID linked to your Mac user account | Easiest & Fastest |
| FileVault Recovery Key | FileVault users | Pre-generated 28-character recovery key | Very Easy |
| Another Admin Account | Macs with multiple users | Access to another admin account | Easy |
| Recovery Mode | When other methods fail | No special setup needed | More Complex |
02
of 08What To Do When You’ve Forgotten Your Mac Login Password
So, you’ve tried every combination of your dog’s name and your anniversary, and that pesky password doesn’t work.
Your first move is to look for a specific clue on the login screen. After three failed login attempts, you should see a question mark next to the password field.
Clicking that question mark is your entry point. It will either display your password hint or, more importantly, show password reset options.
This is the system’s way of telling you that it has a method to help you reset the password for your user account.
03
of 08Use Your Apple ID to Reset Your Mac Password: The Easiest Method
For most people, the simplest way to unlock your Mac is to use your Apple ID.
If you linked your Apple account to your Mac user account during setup (which most of us do), you’re in luck. This method is designed to be a quick and painless password reset tool.
After you click the question mark in the password field and the subsequent reset message, you’ll see an option that says something like, “…reset it using your Apple ID.”
This is exactly what you want. Selecting this will prompt you to enter your Apple account credentials.
Once you’ve successfully logged in with your Apple ID password, the Reset Password assistant will launch. This tool lets you choose the user you know the password for (well, the one you forgot the password for) and then create a new password.
After you confirm it, simply restart your Mac and log in with your new credentials. Problem solved.
04
of 08Reset Your Password Using Your FileVault Recovery Key
If you’re a security-conscious user, you may have enabled FileVault, which encrypts your entire drive.
When you set up FileVault, you were given a long, 28-character FileVault recovery key. If you wrote it down and stored it safely, now is its time to shine.
This key is a master key designed for exactly this scenario.
The process to reset your password using your recovery key starts the same way. At the login screen, click the question mark that shows the login password options.
Instead of choosing the Apple ID option, you’ll select the one that says, “…reset it using your recovery key.”
You’ll be asked to enter the password key exactly as it was given to you. Once validated, you can immediately set a new password for your account.
This is a fantastic reset option if you have the key, as it works even if your Mac is offline.
05
of 08How to Reset Your MacBook Password with Another Admin Account
Do you share your Mac with a family member or coworker?
If another user has an administrator account on the same machine, they can be your hero. You can reset your password with another admin account in just a few clicks, no restart required.
Have the other user log in to their account on your mac. Once they’re on the desktop, they just need to navigate to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS versions) and then to Users & Groups.
From there, they can select your Mac user account from the list of “Other Users,” click the “Change Password…” button, and set a new temporary login password for you.
This is by far the fastest way to get back in if you have another admin account available.
06
of 08Enter macOS Recovery Mode to Reset Your Password When All Else Fails
Alright, so what if you didn’t link your Apple ID, you can’t find your FileVault recovery key, and you’re the only user?
Don’t despair. This is where Recovery Mode comes in. Think of it as your Mac’s emergency room—it’s powerful and can fix almost anything, including a forgotten password.
The steps to use recovery mode to reset vary slightly between Intel-based Macs and newer Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) models.
To get into Recovery Mode, you’ll need to restart your Mac. For Intel Macs, hold down Command + R as it boots.
For Apple Silicon Macs, press and hold the power button until the startup options appear, then select Options. Once you’re in the macOS Utilities window, you’re in the right place.
Don’t click “Reinstall macOS”! Instead, go to the Utilities menu at the top of the screen and select Terminal.
Here’s where my own experience comes in handy. When I was field-testing this on an M2 MacBook, entering Recovery Mode felt different, but the core tool was the same.
In the Terminal window that appears, you type one single word: resetpassword and hit Return. This launches the Password Reset Assistant directly.
From there, you can follow the on-screen prompts, which may ask for your Apple ID again as a final verification before letting you change your login password for any user account on the system.
It’s the ultimate backdoor when you’re locked out of your Mac.
07
of 08A Word on Prevention: Setting Up for an Easier Reset in the Future
Now that you’ve managed to reset your Mac password, let’s make sure this never happens again.
The best defense is a good offense. First, consider using a password manager. It securely stores all your passwords, so you only have to remember one master password.
[INSERT RECOMMENDED PASSWORD MANAGER AFFILIATE LINK HERE]
Second, if you haven’t already, create a recovery key. On newer macOS versions, you can do this in System Settings > Apple ID > Sign-In & Security > Recovery Key.
Having this key is a foolproof way to unlock your Mac if you forget your password again. It’s a simple step that can save you a world of trouble later on.
08
of 08What if You Need to Erase Your Mac?
In the absolute worst-case scenario, where none of the reset options in recovery work and you can’t access the password reset tool, there is a final, destructive option: erasing your Mac.
This should only be used as a last resort, as it will wipe all data from your Mac.
You can erase Mac from the same macOS Recovery utility window. By choosing Disk Utility, you can format the main drive and then proceed to reinstall macOS.
This will return the computer to its factory state, allowing you to set up the Mac from scratch with a new user and password.
It’s a drastic step, but it guarantees you’ll be able to use the Mac without a password from the old account.
FAQ
What should I do if I forgot the password to my MacBook?
If you forgot the password for your Mac, you can reset it using the reset options available in macOS. Restart your Mac and hold down the Command + R keys to enter recovery mode. From there, you can access the option to reset your password.
How can I use the recovery key to reset my Mac password?
If you have set up a recovery key, you can use it to change the password for your Mac. When prompted on the login screen, select the option to use the recovery key and follow the instructions to reset your password.
What are the steps to reset your password on a Mac?
To reset your password, restart your Mac and hold down the Command + R keys. Once in recovery mode, select ‘Utilities’ from the menu, then click on ‘Terminal’. Type ‘resetpassword’ and press Enter. This will guide you through the process of resetting your password.
What if my Mac doesn’t start up correctly?
If your Mac turns on but doesn’t start properly, you can try restarting it in recovery mode. Hold down Command + R as it boots up. From there, you can access the password reset options and attempt to reset your password.
How do I activate the Mac window for password reset?
To activate the Mac window for password reset, restart your Mac and hold down Command + R to enter recovery mode. You will see the macOS Utilities window, where you can select the option to reset your password.
What if the password field shows an error message?
If the password field on the login screen shows an error message, it may indicate that you have entered your password incorrectly. If you cannot remember your password, you can restart your Mac and use the reset options to regain access.
