How to Change or Remove macOS User Account Password

This guide walks you through changing or removing the password for a user account on a Mac running current versions of macOS (Ventura and later, though the steps are similar on older versions). You’ll learn the correct menus for both admin and standard accounts, how to remove a password entirely (so you can log in without typing one), and how to handle forgotten passwords or locked accounts. Before you start, make sure you know the current password for the account you’re modifying, and if you’re changing an admin account, you’ll also need the password for another admin account (or your Apple ID if you’ve set up password reset via Apple ID).

What You’ll Need

• The current password for the account you want to change (unless you’re resetting it via Apple ID or another admin).
• If you’re changing an admin account, the username and password of another admin account on the Mac (or your Apple ID credentials if you’ve enabled that reset option).
• If you’re removing the password entirely, be aware that this disables password-based login for that account—anyone with physical access to the Mac can log in as that user without a prompt.

Step-by-Step

Changing Your Own Password (Standard or Admin)

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS) from the Apple menu (top-left corner).
2. Click Users & Groups (or Users & Groups in System Preferences).
3. If the padlock icon at the bottom-left is locked, click it and enter your current password to unlock settings.
4. Select your user account in the left sidebar.
5. Click the Change Password button (or Reset Password if you’re an admin resetting another user).
6. Enter your old password, then type a new password and verify it. Optionally, add a password hint.
7. Click Change Password (or Reset) to save. You may be asked to enter your login keychain password—if so, enter your old password to update the keychain.

Changing Another User’s Password (Admin Only)

1. Open System Settings > Users & Groups.
2. Unlock the settings with your admin password.
3. Select the other user in the sidebar.
4. Click Reset Password (not “Change Password” – that’s for your own).
5. Enter a new password and verify it. You can also add a hint.
6. Click Reset. The user will be prompted to update their keychain password on next login.

Removing a Password Entirely (No Password Login)

1. Open System Settings > Users & Groups.
2. Unlock with an admin password.
3. Select the user account.
4. Click Change Password (or Reset Password if you’re an admin).
5. In the “New password” field, leave it blank. Do the same in the “Verify” field.
6. You may see a warning that a blank password is not allowed. On some macOS versions, you’ll need to click Continue or OK to accept the blank password.
7. Click Change Password (or Reset). The account will now have no password.
8. Log out and test: you should be able to log in by just pressing Enter at the password prompt.

Note: If the “New password” field won’t stay blank, you may need to use the Terminal method (see Troubleshooting).

Resetting a Forgotten Password

1. If you’re at the login screen and can’t remember the password, click the “?” hint or try three wrong attempts. After several tries, you’ll see a “Reset using your Apple ID” option if it’s enabled.
2. If that option doesn’t appear, restart the Mac and hold Command-R to enter Recovery Mode.
3. In Recovery, open Utilities > Terminal.
4. Type resetpassword and press Enter. This opens the Reset Password assistant.
5. Select the disk (usually “Macintosh HD”) and the user account, then enter a new password and hint.
6. Click Next and restart. Log in with the new password.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to unlock the settings. If the padlock is closed, you can’t change passwords. Always click it and authenticate.
• Leaving the keychain password out of sync. After changing your password, macOS asks for your old password to update the login keychain. If you skip this, you may get annoying “keychain wants to use your password” popups.
• Using the same password for the keychain. If you change your login password but leave the keychain password unchanged, the keychain will be locked. Always enter the old password when prompted.
• Removing the password for the only admin account. This can lock you out of admin functions if you later need to reset something. It’s safer to keep at least one admin with a password.
• Not testing the new password. Always log out and log back in to confirm the change works before you close the settings window.

Tips

• Use a strong password with at least 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using names or birthdays.
• Write down your password and store it in a secure place (like a password manager) before you change it.
• If you’re removing a password for convenience, consider using Auto Login instead (System Settings > Users & Groups > Automatic login). That way you can still have a password for security, but you’ll bypass the login screen at startup.
• After changing a password, update it in any apps that store it (like mail, Wi-Fi, or iCloud) to avoid repeated prompts.
• If you’re an admin resetting another user’s password, inform them that they’ll need to update their keychain password on next login.

Troubleshooting

“Change Password” button is greyed out

Make sure the padlock is unlocked. If you’re trying to change another user’s password, you must be an admin. If you’re not an admin, you can only change your own password.

Blank password won’t save

On some macOS versions, the GUI won’t allow a blank password. Use Terminal instead: open Terminal (from Applications/Utilities), type sudo passwd username (replace “username” with the actual short name), then press Enter. When prompted for a new password, just press Enter twice. This sets an empty password. Be careful: this is a security risk.

Keychain password prompt loops

After changing your password, you may be asked for your old password to unlock the keychain. If you don’t know it, you can delete the keychain (it will be recreated) by going to Utilities > Keychain Access, right-clicking on “login” and choosing “Delete Keychain.” You’ll lose saved passwords, but you can re-enter them.

Forgot password and no Apple ID reset option

Use Recovery Mode as described above. If that fails, you may need to reinstall macOS, but that will erase the disk. Always back up with Time Machine before attempting drastic measures.

Account appears locked after too many wrong attempts

Wait a few minutes, or restart the Mac. If the account is disabled, you’ll see a message. An admin can unlock it by going to Users & Groups, selecting the user, and unchecking “Disable user.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove the password for a standard user account?

Yes, any admin can remove the password for any account, including standard users. The user will then be able to log in without a password, but they may still be prompted for admin passwords when performing admin tasks (if they’re not an admin).

What happens to my keychain if I remove my password?

Your login keychain will remain locked with your old password, which you no longer have. You’ll be prompted for the old password to unlock it. If you don’t remember it, you can delete the keychain and start fresh.

Is it safe to have no password on my Mac?

No, it’s not safe if you’re in a public or shared environment. Anyone with physical access can log in and access your files. Only do this for a personal Mac that stays in a secure location.

How do I find my short username?

Open Terminal and type whoami. The output is your short username, which is needed for Terminal commands.

Can I use my Apple ID to reset a password?

Yes, if you’ve enabled “Allow user to reset password using Apple ID” in Users & Groups, you can use your Apple ID and password at the login screen after several failed attempts.

Will changing my password affect my iCloud Keychain?

No, iCloud Keychain is separate from your login keychain. Your iCloud passwords remain intact, but you may need to re-authenticate with your Apple ID after a password change.

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