Guide to Resetting Your macOS Password

Forgetting your macOS password can be a frustrating experience, but there are several methods you can use to regain access to your account. Whether you're using macOS Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey, this guide will walk you through the steps to recover your password and regain access to your Mac.

1. Use Your Apple ID:

   • If you've set up your Mac to use your Apple ID for password recovery, you can reset your password using your Apple ID credentials.

   • Go to the login screen on your Mac.

   • Click on "Forgot password or Apple ID?" and follow the prompts to reset your password using your Apple ID.

2. Use Another Admin Account:

   • If you have another administrator account on the same Mac, you can use it to reset the password for the account you're locked out of.

   • Sign in to the other administrator account.

   • Open "System Preferences" from the Apple menu and select "Users & Groups".

   • Click the lock icon at the bottom left corner and enter the administrator password.

   • Select the locked-out user account and click the "Reset Password" button.

   • Follow the on-screen instructions to reset the password.

3. Use Recovery Mode:

   • Restart your Mac and hold down Command + R until the Apple logo appears to boot into Recovery Mode.

   • From the Utilities menu, select "Terminal".

   • Type resetpassword (without quotes) and press Enter.

   • Follow the on-screen instructions to select your hard drive and the user account for which you want to reset the password.

   • After resetting the password, restart your Mac and log in with the new password.

4. Use Apple ID in Recovery Mode:

   • If your Mac is running macOS Catalina or later and you've enabled "Allow user to reset password using Apple ID" in System Preferences, you can reset your password using your Apple ID in Recovery Mode.

   • Boot into Recovery Mode by restarting your Mac and holding down Command + R.

   • Select "Reset Password" from the Utilities menu.

   • Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password using your Apple ID.

5. Use Another Device:

   • If you've enabled "Find My Mac" and "Allow your Apple ID to unlock your Mac" in System Preferences, you can use another Apple device to reset your Mac password.

   • Use the Find My app on another device to locate your Mac and select "Erase Mac" to erase the password and data on your Mac.

   • After erasing your Mac, set it up again using your Apple ID and create a new password.

Remember to keep your passwords in a safe place or use a password manager to avoid forgetting them in the future. Additionally, consider setting up security measures like Touch ID or a firmware password to enhance the security of your Mac.