Change Mac Admin Password Without Disk

This guide walks you through resetting or changing a Mac administrator password without needing an installation disk or USB drive. You’ll learn several methods that work from the login screen, from another admin account, or via recovery mode, and what to do if you’re locked out entirely.

What You’ll Need

• Your Mac (any model running macOS Catalina or later, though most steps work on older versions too)
• Your Apple ID and password if you use FileVault (for recovery mode resets)
• Another admin account on the same Mac (for one of the methods)
• Access to a trusted device for two-factor authentication if you use an Apple ID

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Change Password from Another Admin Account

1. Log in to your Mac using a different administrator account.
2. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS) from the Apple menu ().
3. Click Users & Groups (or Users & Accounts).
4. Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter the current admin password for the account you’re logged into.
5. Select the account whose password you want to change from the list on the left.
6. Click Reset Password (or Change Password).
7. Enter a new password, verify it, and add a password hint if desired.
8. Click Change Password or Reset Password to save.

Method 2: Change Password from the Login Screen (If You Know the Current Password)

1. At the login window, click your username.
2. Enter your current password, but do not press Enter.
3. Click the question mark icon (?) next to the password field.
4. If you set a password hint, it will appear. If not, you’ll see a message about using your Apple ID.
5. Click Reset it with your Apple ID (if available).
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to verify your Apple ID and set a new password.
7. If the Apple ID option isn’t available, you’ll need to use recovery mode (Method 3).

Method 3: Reset Password Using Recovery Mode (For Locked-Out Users)

1. Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + R until the Apple logo or spinning globe appears.
2. Wait for macOS Recovery to load. You may see a utilities window.
3. From the menu bar at the top, click Utilities > Terminal.
4. Type resetpassword and press Enter. (On older macOS versions, you may need to type resetpassword without a space.)
5. A password reset window will appear. Select the volume that contains your user account (usually “Macintosh HD”).
6. Select the user account you want to reset.
7. Enter a new password and verify it. Add a hint if you like.
8. Click Next or Save, then restart your Mac.
9. Log in with the new password.

Method 4: Reset Password Using Apple ID (If FileVault is Off)

1. At the login screen, after entering a wrong password three times, you should see a message: “If you forgot your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID.”
2. Click the arrow next to that message.
3. Enter your Apple ID and password.
4. Follow the prompts to create a new login password.
5. Restart your Mac and log in with the new password.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong keyboard layout when typing your password – especially after a reinstall or if you have multiple languages enabled.
• Forgetting to unlock the settings in System Settings before trying to change a password – you must click the lock icon first.
• Not having a second admin account – if you only have one admin and you’re locked out, you must use recovery mode.
• Assuming FileVault is off – if FileVault is enabled, the recovery mode method may require your FileVault recovery key or Apple ID.
• Typing the new password incorrectly – always use the “verify” field and make sure both match.
• Choosing a weak password – macOS may warn you, but it will still let you set it. Use a strong one.

Tips

• Always keep a second admin account on your Mac – it’s a lifesaver if you forget your main password.
• Write down your FileVault recovery key and store it somewhere safe – you’ll need it if you forget your password and FileVault is on.
• Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords.
• If you use Touch ID, remember that you still need your password after a restart, so don’t rely solely on biometrics.
• Test your new password immediately after changing it, before logging out or restarting.
• If you have an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or later), recovery mode works the same way, but you may need to hold the power button instead of Command+R.

Troubleshooting

• Recovery mode doesn’t show the resetpassword utility: On newer macOS versions, the Terminal command may not work directly. Instead, try: In Recovery, go to Utilities > Terminal, then type resetpassword and press Enter. If that fails, restart and try again, or use the “Erase Assistant” only as a last resort (this erases your data).
• FileVault is enabled and you don’t know the recovery key: You’ll need to use your Apple ID to unlock the disk. If that fails, you may need to erase the Mac and restore from a backup.
• Apple ID reset option doesn’t appear: This option only shows if you’ve previously linked your Apple ID to the user account in System Settings. If not, use recovery mode.
• You get a “This computer is not associated with an Apple ID” error: You may have never signed in with your Apple ID on this Mac. Use recovery mode instead.
• Password changed but you still can’t log in: Make sure you’re typing the correct username. If you have multiple accounts, you may be selecting the wrong one. Also check that Caps Lock is off.
• Recovery mode asks for a firmware password: If you or someone else set a firmware password, you’ll need to enter it before you can access Recovery. If you don’t know it, contact Apple Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my Mac admin password without any other account or disk?

Yes, you can use macOS Recovery (Command+R at startup) and the Terminal command resetpassword. This doesn’t require another account or any external disk.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No, resetting the login password does not delete your files. However, if you have FileVault enabled and you use the recovery key method, your data remains intact as long as you can unlock the disk.

What if I don’t remember my Apple ID password either?

You’ll need to recover your Apple ID password first via iforgot.apple.com, or use recovery mode with the resetpassword utility. If that fails, you may need to erase the Mac and restore from a backup.

Does this work on Apple silicon (M1/M2) Macs?

Yes, the recovery mode method works on Apple silicon Macs. Instead of Command+R, you press and hold the power button until you see “Loading startup options,” then click Options.

Why does the Apple ID reset option not show at the login screen?

That option only appears if you’ve previously enabled “Allow user to reset password using Apple ID” in System Settings > Users & Groups > Login Options. If it’s not there, use recovery mode.

Can I change another user’s password if I’m an admin?

Yes, an admin can reset any standard user’s password from System Settings. However, you cannot reset another admin’s password unless you’re logged in as that admin or use recovery mode.

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