Don’t Remember macOS Password? Here is How You can Log into it

Looking for a way to know how to log into macOS without password in case you have forgotten it, or for a method to bypass macOS password screen? Through this article, we can help you to get back the complete access to your mac computer.

There are a number of ways to reset the password, even of an admin’s account, depending on the levels of security you have used while setting up your Mac Book.

In macOS, a password is required to perform a number of tasks. It is necessary to enter the PC, to delete some important files, to make changes in the System Preferences and to create and delete new user accounts. Sometimes users turn on the automatic login in the settings, so they are not asked for the password for some time. But, after some time, when they are asked to enter the password, they have already forgotten it.

Here are few steps you can take to log into macOS without password you set when created that account or when setting up your first macOS operating system.

Take a Clue from Password Hint:

Before resetting the original password, it is a wise job to take a look at the alternatives. Password Hint is one of them. Here is how you can use it.

• Start your Mac computer.
• Select the Startup disk if you have got more than one bootable partitions on it by holding down the OPTION key on your keyboard.
• Select the user name.
• Click on the small question mark next to the password field.
• A new small window will pop out with the hint you have set.
• If you don’t see any hint or don’t remember the password from the hint, proceed to the next step.

Note: In some cases, you may not see the question mark. In this situation simply restart your Mac and you’ll see that small question mark lying next to the password field.

It is always recommended to set a password hint whenever you create a new password or change your existing one.

Reset Password Using Apple ID:

In macOS and even in some earlier versions of OS X operating systems, Apple has incorporated a nifty option to attach the OS X credentials with the Apple ID.

If set up iCloud on your MacBook and selected the option “Allow user to reset password using Apple ID” in System Preferences > Users & Groups > Password, you can use this option.

Resetting password using Apple ID is very simple.

1. Click on the small question mark on the log-in screen.
2. Now click on the small forward arrow.
3. A new pop-up will appear asking for your Apple ID and password.

Enter both and click on reset password option.

You’ll be asked to restart when done. Now log in with your new password.

Change password using another admin account

If you have created more than one administrative accounts on your PC, you can log into other account and reset the password of any other admin or standard account.

• Restart your PC.
• Select the admin account of which you remember the password and log into MacOS with his credentials.
• Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups.
• Select the account of which you have forgotten the password.

• Click Reset Password.

Use Recovery Mode for Password Reset:

Apple has included a special mode in every OS X operating system to help users in case of a serious problem with the operating system. It is called Recovery Mode.

Recovery mode consists of a number of utilities, like.

• Firmware password utility
• Network utility
• Terminal
• macOS utilities

Under the macOS Utilities, one can restore the PC from Time Machine backup, reinstall the OS, get help online and perform some useful tasks on disk.

If the above mentioned methods are not feasible in your case, you use this trick to reset your password.

Steps to launch Reset Password application

Step 1: Terminal is required for our purpose. Here is how you can launch it.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Start again by pressing the Power button.
3. As soon as you release the power button, hold down (Command+R) buttons on the keyboard.
4. Keep pressed the both button until you see Apple logo.
5. Release the buttons and let Recovery mode load.
6. In the Recovery mode, go to Utilities and select the Terminal.

Step 2: When the Terminal appears on the screen, enter the following command in small letters without any space

“resetpassword”

Step 3: When the Reset Password window appears, you can close the terminal.

Step 4: If you created more than one volumes on your disk, select the appropriate volume.

Step 5: On the next screen, select the user.

Step 6: Now enter a new password and restart your PC.

Step 7: Log into macOS with the new password.

Change Password Using Recovery Key:

If you have stored the recovery key somewhere else other than on the Mac hard disk after enabling the FileVault feature in System Preferences > Security & Privacy, you can use it to log into macOS without password and generate a new password.

On the log-in screen, if you enter the wrong password three times, you will see a new option stating that you can reset the password using recovery key. Click the arrow to fire up “Reset Password” assistant.

Now enter your Recovery Key and continue. On the next window, generate a new password. Restart your PC and log into macOS without entering original password but use this new password.

If you are still not satisfied, here are the answers to some common questions we received through different sources.

Can anybody log into macOS without a password?

Yes, anyone who knows how to reset the password of a Mac can change the password and log-in.

Can anyone bypass macOS password screen without changing the password??

No. Everyone is required to enter the password before bypassing the login screen. Even the intruders will have to change your password to get access.

Am I protected if I keep FileVault turned on??

Yes, If you have turned on FileVault, no one can change the password using the above trick.

There are two options left now. You can either change it using iCloud if you stored your key there, or using the recovery key stored other than on iCloud or internal hard disk.

Is there any Super Password in macOS?

Yes, you can set a super password for your Mac PC. It is a firmware based code which is required to enter every time you boot your PC using a startup disk or while booting in Recovery Mode.

To enable this protection, start up the Mac in Recovery Mode by keeping pressed the Command+R keys on the keyboard when the system boots up. Once you are in recovery mode, go to Utilities and select Firmware Password Utility.

Please write down firmware password in a secure place. In case you forget it, there is no way to unlock your Mac and log into macOS without password except by visiting an authorized Apple Retail Store or Apple Service Provide.

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