How to Unlock Your Mac If You Forgot Your Password

If for some reason you have forgotten your Mac user password, here we show you several alternatives to restore access

Have you forgotten your Mac password? If you are having problems at this time, we let you know that there are several ways to resolve them.. Our Apple ID will of course be the key, if you have enabled password recovery via Apple ID it will be faster. All you have to do is enter the incorrect password 3 times and a recovery option will appear. Otherwise, you can do this with FireVault or using the Terminal app.

Recover your Mac password using Apple ID

1. The easiest and simplest method (unless you don’t remember your Apple ID password either) is to enter the wrong password 3 times.
2. The option will appear Reset using Apple ID

Reset password using Apple ID

1. The Mac will restart to allow you to sign in with Apple ID
   . Enter the two-step verification code
2. Verified identity choose user account to reset password
3. Enter the new password and click Next
4. Restart your Mac and log in with the new password

Use an administrator account

If you have more accounts on your Mac and one of them is an administrator, you’re in luck. It can be used to reset the password of the locked account. Only administrator accounts have permission to change passwords of other accounts housed in the equipment.

1. Select the other administrator account (you must log in to macOS)
2. In the menu bar, click on the Apple logo
3. Click System Settings and select Users and groups

Another administrator account can reset the password

1. Then click on the icon (i) of the blocked account
2. Then click Reset

1. Enter the new password, verify it by entering it again and add a password hint (essential so you don’t forget it again)

Enter the new password

1. Log out of the administrator account and log in with your new password to the corresponding account.

Password solution with FileVault

This option is a pure optional security of macOS which encrypts what exists on the disk. If it was enabled in the initial setup or at some point, it is possible to regain access to the Mac. Remember the long recovery key? If so, the Reset option should be enabled and display password reset options.

Reboot to choose password reset options

You will be asked for a new password and it will be reset.. Were you able to achieve this? If you have failed to reset your password, there is one last method. FileVault is one of 12 ways to improve security on your Mac.

Unlock your Mac with Recovery Mode

Recovery mode can help us repair the disk in a serious case or even reinstall macOS. In this case it will help us to be able to access the Terminal app and password reset.

Mac Terminal app

1. The Mac must be turned off, if it is on it turns off
2. Press the power button and immediately hold Command (Cmd) + R until you see the Apple logo or the figure of a globe
3. If you are a user of Apple Silicon, Press and hold the power button and select Options -> Continue
4. When the macOS Utilities window appears select Terminal
5. Writing Reset password and press the Enter key
6. Follow the corresponding instructions to reset your password
7. Restart your Mac and log in with the new password

If you were unable to reset your password, the only way to restore access is to erase your Mac as directed by Apple Support.

Finally, consider the following

Use this information consciously and responsibly. Unauthorized access to another user’s computer is illegal and is not permitted under any circumstances. Fortunately, those in Cupertino still provide the right tools to backup a Mac, if it is lost it is surely already protected and seeking to be returned to its owner.

The Find app lets you find an iPhone, iPad or Mac even if it’s turned off

If you manage to regain access to your Mac the first time, well done. Enabling recovery using Apple ID is the best, fastest and most convenient option. If, on the other hand, you used one of the other methods Don’t forget to enable recovery options taking into account Apple ID.

These steps apply to most recent versions of macOS. If you have an older Mac, we suggest checking out this official Apple support article. It’s very similar to what we’ve already seen here with its slight variations.