Use Recovery Mode to change your password

Ben Nestel

Use Recovery Mode to change your password

Apple includes a tool to replace a Mac's password. This is the best option if you have completely forgotten your password. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off your Mac (choose Apple > Shut Down).
2. Press the power button while holding down Command + R. The Mac will boot into Recovery (we have a separate article about how to boot a Mac in Recovery).
3. When you see the load bar appear you can let go of the keys. It may take a few minutes to load.
4. Select Disk Utility and press Continue.
5. Choose Utilities > Terminal.
6. Enter resetpassword (all one word, lower-case letters) and press Return.
7. Select the volume containing the account (normally this will be your main hard drive).
8. Choose the account to change with Select the User Account.
9. Enter a new password and re-enter it into the password fields.
10. Enter a new password hint related to the password.
11. Click Save.
12. A warning will appear that the password has changed, but not the Keychain Password. Click OK.
13. Click Apple > Shut Down.

Now start up the Mac. You can log in using the new password.