How to Reset Your Forgotten Mac OS X Login Password
Do not worry about that. Here are some ways you can bypass the Mac OS X password and regain access to your computer. Method 1: Mac OS X installer CD. 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. Don’t panic if you're locked out of your Mac OS X login password, here there are top three different solutions for you to reset Mac OS login/admin password without reinstallation, each of the techniques covered are quick, safe and easy.
Jan. 07, 2014 11:24 am / Posted by Michael Eric to Files & Database
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'I forgot my login password for my MacBook and I'm not sure if the username is correct. So can anyone help me reset Mac login password? Thanks in advance.'
It really happened to everyone at some point – you create a new password and don't remember to save it somewhere, and then before you know it you've forgotten what it was. So forgot your Mac OS X login password? No worries. You are not out of luck. You will need to reset your forgotten Mac password and there are several ways to do this. We'll focus on the two best methods to recover login password for Mac computer (MacBook Pro, iMac, MacBook Air, Mac Pro, etc. which are running Mac OS X 10.9, 10.8, 10.7 and lower). Check them now.
Tips: Need to create a password protect your Mac computer? Click here to learn more.
Way 1: Reset Lost Mac Login Password with Apple ID
This one must be the best approach for Mac OS X (Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion etc) users because it's extremely fast and simple. The only requirements are that you must have tied an Apple ID to a user account, and you must have internet access so that the Mac can contact Apple to initiate the reset procedure.
Follow the instruction to reset lost Mac login password.
- 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.
- Enter your Apple ID credentials, this is the same information used to log into the App Store, iTunes, and iCloud, then click 'Reset Password'.
- Follow the instruction to enter a new password. Confirm the new password and let the Mac boot as usual.
Way 2: Reset Your Forgotten Mac Login Password with Install Disk
The other method is to use your installation disk of OS X. If you don't have this disk, then you'd better to buy a copy of Mac OS X. After all things set up, you can follow the steps to finish your reset procedure.
- Put your Mac OS X disk into the drive. Once you have booted off the disk you will need to choose your language, and then OS X will prepare the installation environment.
- Then choose the 'Utilities' menu and choose 'Reset Password'.
- Now you need to choose the volume with the account you need to change the password for, choose the account from the drop down, and generate your new password and password hint if you wish to use one.Note: During the step, you may want to reset the ACLs since you have changed your password. Once you are done, you can save and restart the computer.
Now you have finished the conversion of Mac login password reset. Just enter the newly made password to access your Mac computer. Choose whichever you like to reset your lost, forgotten Mac OS X password.
Download Windows Password Recovery to instantly reset Windows password:
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.comments powered by DisqusFonePaw - Solution - iOS Lock - Reset Mac Password
Featuring highly security, Apple's macOS is safe and secure to use. However, if you, unfortunately, forget your Mac's password, the security of macOS can be both comforting and annoying—comforting because no one can break the password and annoying because neither can you. If you experience forgetting Mac password, read this article to find or reset password on macOS or Mac OS X.
Regain Mac Password from Password Hint
When you set up your password, you set up a hint to help you refresh your memory when you fail to remember the password. Since there's no limit to the number of times you can try a password, presumably you are able to regain Mac password with the help of the hint before you go to reset your password. Follow the steps to show the hint:
STEP 1 Open Apple > System Preferences > Users & Groups.
STEP 2Click the Lock icon on the bottom left.
STEP 3 Press the Return key three times.
STEP 4 After the third press the hint will appear below the Password box. Feel free to try any possible password.
If the hint won't show up, it's because it wasn't set to show in the Login Options. And the only way to change the settings is to log in your Mac. In case you forget Mac password next time, you are recommended to go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Options and enable password hint.
Reset Password with A Different Account
If you share your Mac with others or you have another administrator account and you know the answer, you can log in to that account to reset password on MacBook/iMac. Follow these steps to reset your Mac password from another account:
STEP 1 Click on the Apple logo on the menu bar and choose Log Out.
STEP 2 Select the account that you know the password to, then enter the password.
STEP 3 Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups. Click the Lock icon at the bottom of the window and enter the password again.
STEP 4 In the sidebar, select the account whose password was forgotten and click 'Reset Password'. Enter a new Password and click 'Change Password'.
NOTE: If the other account doesn't have administrator right, you can't reset Mac password in that account.
Set New Password Using Recovery Mode
If the hint doesn't recall anything and you don't have a secondary administrator account, you can reset Mac password with Terminal under Recovery Mode, which is also easy and safe. Follow these steps:
STEP 1 Power off your Mac. Then press the power button to turn it on. As you hear the startup chime, press and hold Command + R until you see the loading bar appear.
STEP 2 Choose Disk Utility > Utilities > Terminal. Enter 'resetpassword' and press Return.
STEP 3 Select your hard drive, usually named 'Macintosh HD'. Then Select the User Account whose password was forgotten.
STEP 4 Create a new password. It is recommended to enter a hint in case you have a problem logging in. Then click 'Save'.
STEP 5 Click 'Shut Down' or 'Restart' in the Apple menu.
After you Mac reboot, you can log in to your account using the new password.
Reset Mac Password with Reset Password Assistant
If you have turned on FileVault, you can use Reset Password Assistant to reset the password and unlock the Mac.
STEP 1 When being locked at the login screen, wait until a message saying: 'If you're having a problem entering your password, press and hold the power button on your Mac to shut it down. Then press it again to start up in the Recovery OS.' If you don't see this message, FileVault is off.
STEP 2 Following the guide, first press and hold the power button until the Mac turns off. Then press the power button to turn it on. The Mac will boots up in Reset Password window.
STEP 3 Follow the onscreen instructions to create a new password. You will need your iCloud password or Recovery key to change Mac password.
Tips: How to Protect Mac Data When Losing Password
Since there are ways to reset Mac password, what if an unauthorized person gets access to your computer? How can we protect our Mac data?
Using Filevault Encryption
Mac allows users to encrypt their contents by using FileVault encryption. It encrypts all contents on startup drive of your Mac, and with FileVault enabled, password can't be changed without your Recovery key or iCloud password.
To enable Filevault, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault. When setting up, you will receive a Recovery Key and a password; you should save them properly like getting a hard copy.
Making Regular Backups
Making regular backups in case anything goes wrong with your Mac, such as being locked and data loss. There are ways to back up your Mac. To know more in How to Backup & Restore Your Mac with or without Time Machine.
Learn More: Mac Data Recovery - How to Recover Data from MacBook or iMac
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