Mac OS - Reset a lost/forgotten login password

Mac OS - Reset a lost/forgotten login password

Problem

A customer who uses an Apple Macbook computer has lost/forgotten their logon password and cannot access their system.

Applies to

  1. Mac OS

Resolution

If you have forgotten a sign in password and have an Apple ID you can reset the sign in password.

Steps

Apple Silicon Macs (November 2020 and newer models)

  1. With the Mac turned off press and hold power until you see Options on screen.
  2. Then click Options and click Recovery.
  3. Then click Utilities > Terminal.
  4. Then type "Resetpassword" without the quotes and press ENTER.
  5. Then close Terminal window and you will see the Reset Password Tool.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions, you may need to sign in with your Apple ID and select the account you wish to reset the password for.

Intel Macs (Prior to November 2020)

  1. With the Mac turned off hold down COMMAND+R and power on the computer to go into Recovery mode.
  2. Then click Utilities > Terminal.
  3. In Terminal type "Resetpassword" without the quotes and press ENTER.
  4. Then close Terminal window and you will see the Reset Password Tool.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions, you may need to sign in with your Apple ID and select the account you wish to reset the password for.

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