If you've forgotten your password, you can fix it yourself by trying these solutions from our in-house tech wizards. 

Reset your password

If you can’t remember your account password or it doesn’t work when you try, you can select the reset option on the login screen.

Here’s what to do.

Step 1. Make sure you’re on the login screen. 

This is the screen that appears when you turn on, restart, or log out of your Mac. This is where you can choose the profile you want to log in with. 

Step 2. Enter any password three times, until you see a password reset message appear. Depending on your situation, the message you see will differ and will require you to follow different steps. 

Step 3. Continue on to next steps depending on your situation.

I see a password reset message

You might see one of several password reset messages, like “Restart and show password reset options” or “Reset it using your Apple ID” or “Reset it using your recovery key”. 

If so, follow these steps. 

Step 1. Select the reset message. 

Step 2. If offered a choice between reset options, choose the one you prefer. 

If you chose to log in using your Apple ID, continue here.

Step 3. Fill in your Apple ID information.

Step 4. Select the “Reset password” option.

Step 5. Enter the verification code you received to one of your other Apple devices, if asked.

Step 6. Select the profile you want to reset the password for.

Step 7. Create your new password. 

Step 8. Restart your Mac and log in with the new password.

If you chose to log in using a FileVault recovery key, continue here.

Step 3. Enter your recovery key — it will be a long string of characters including letters and numbers.

Step 4. Choose the profile you want to reset the password for.

Step 5. Select “Next”.

Step 6. Enter your new password, then select “Next” or “Reset password”.

Step 7. Select “Restart”.

Here’s what to do if you receive some additional prompts while resetting your password.

• If you’re asked to create a new keychain to save all your passwords, select “OK”. Your Mac should restart automatically.
• If you’re asked to choose an admin user, select “Forgot all passwords?” even if you know the password.
• If asked to deactivate this Mac, select “Deactivate Mac” and then “Deactivate”. This is temporary.
• If you see different user accounts, select “Set Password” next to each account name to enter a new password for each account.

I see a message that my account is locked

Step 1. Wait until the stated lockout time has passed. 

Step 2. Restart your Mac.

Step 3. Reset your password using the instructions above 

If that doesn't work, skip to “Use the reset options in Recovery”.

I don’t see a message

If a reset message doesn’t appear on the login screen after entering a password three times, restart your Mac and try again. 

If that doesn't help, continue on to try troubleshooting using the reset password assistant.

Use the macOS Recovery mode password assistant

First, you’re going to start your computer back up in macOS Recovery mode. Then, you’ll be able to use the password reset assistant. 

Here’s what to do.

Step 1. Determine whether your Mac has a silicon or Intel processor. See how to determine if your processor is silicon or Intel via Apple Support

Step 2. Shut down your computer.

Step 3. Depending on which processor you have, follow these instructions to enter Recovery mode. 

• Silicon processor: Turn on your Mac, and continue to press and hold the power button until the startup options screen pops up. Select “Options”, then select “Continue”.
• Intel processor: Turn on your Mac, and press Command (⌘)-R. Continue to hold the keys until the Apple logo or another screen appears.

Step 4. While starting up from Recovery, you may be asked to select a user you know the password for. If so, select “Forgot all passwords?” and follow on-screen prompts. If not, skip this step.

Step 5. Make sure you’re on the Recovery mode screen. You may land here automatically, or you may have to select “Exit to Recovery”. You’ll know you're there when you see options to restore from Time Machine, reinstall macOS, and more.

Step 6. In the menu bar, select “Terminal”.

Step 7. Type "resetpassword" in the terminal window. Don’t include the apostrophes (“). See an example in the gif below.

Step 8. Select “Return” to open the password assistant.

Step 9. The assistant may ask you to choose an admin user that you remember the password for. If so, select “Forgot all passwords?”.

Step 10. Once you’re in the reset password window, select “Deactivate Mac”.

Step 11. Confirm your choice to deactivate your Mac — keep in mind that this will only be temporary.

Step 12. Enter your Apple ID login information. 

Step 13. Select “Next”.

Step 14. Enter the new password for your profile. Note that if you see multiple user accounts, select "Set Password" next to each to enter a new password for each user.

Step 15. Once you enter your new password, select “Next”.

Step 16. Select “Exit”.

Step 17. Select "Restart".

Whew! Nicely done. All that's left to do is to log in with your brand new password.

Erase your Mac

If no other solution works, you can regain access to your Mac by erasing it. This permanently removes each user account, its password, and any data from your Mac.

Step 1. Shut down your Mac.

Step 2. Start up from macOS Recovery mode again.

Step 3. When asked to select a user you know the password for, select “Recovery Assistant”.

Step 4.  Select “Erase Mac” from the menu bar at the top of the screen.

Step 5. In the window that opens, select “Erase Mac” again. 

Step 6. Select “Erase Mac” one last time to confirm your choice. 

Step 7. Your Mac will automatically restart.

Please note that if your Mac starts up to a question mark, turn off your Mac > start up from macOS Recovery mode again > then reinstall macOS from Recovery mode.

If your Mac starts up to an “Activate Mac” window, choose a Wi-Fi network and enter your Apple ID information (not your login information) when asked. After your Mac activates, select “Exit to Recovery” and reinstall macOS from Recovery mode.