How to Reset or Change MacBook Password

You are at your desk ready to tackle the whole day’s jobs but suddenly your mind goes blank, you can’t remember your password! Or maybe you want to change the password for security purposes, whatever the reason you have is don’t panic. 

Forgetting the password happens to most of us, especially if you haven’t logged in recently. But the good news here is that Apple has built in tools that allow you to reset the password or change it whenever you need.

So, today we will learn everything about resetting and changing your MacBook password so that you can start your work as soon as possible. Let’s dive into it.

How to Change Your MacBook Password (When Logged In)

Now if you are logged in and thinking of changing password regularly that’s a smart thing. Regularly changing passwords keeps your data safe and secure from most of the fishing and spoofing malwares. 

 

To change the password of a Mac when you are logged in your Macbook is relatively easier and straightforward, it takes less than a minute to change it. 

 

All you have to do is click the Apple menu on top – left of your screen and then select the system settings. Scroll down to the sidebar and click the Users & Groups. Depending on your macOS version you need to scroll a bit more or less.

When you notice your user name in the list, click the information icon. You notice that several options have appeared, there will also be the one saying Change Password. Click this one to change your password.  

Then, enter your current password and old password first. In this process you have to enter an old password to make sure that the account owner is you. After you type a new password in the new password field and verify it by entering again, then your password will be changed. 

A suggestion is to add a password hint so that you remember your password but don’t be too obvious that anyone else can guess it. Also keep in mind the hint appears after three failed attempts in the question mark in the password field. 

What to Do When You Forgot Your MacBook Password

Forgetting your password is more stressful because you can’t access your MacBook at all. However, there are some ways built into the macOS that help you regain your access without losing the important files. 

Try entering your password carefully

Before trying any other thing just check if your caps lock is on as passwords are usually case sensitive. Then check the input menu in the menu bar to check if the language set is the correct language. That’s because sometimes we change the icon in the menu bar accidentally. 

 

If there’s any password hint like we told earlier then click the question mark and try to remember as this might help you from the entire reset process. 

Restart your MacBook

One of the most simple steps is to restart your Mac. If there’s any temporary glitch and your Mac is not accepting your password then restarting would fix that. Press the power button and hold for 10 seconds until your Mac is completely turned off. If your Mac has a touch id then you can also use the touch id button as it’s also your power button. 

Wait for a few seconds after turning off and then restart again. And when the log in windows appear, enter the password carefully. 

Using Apple ID to Reset Your Password

If you linked your Apple ID to your Mac user account when you set it up for the first time, this is the easiest way. Usually people do it automatically while opening so this will be a chance. After entering, if you enter the wrong password three times there will be a prompt saying that , “reset it using Apple ID” or “ Restart and show password reset options “. To start your reset procedure, click this message. 

After that you will be asked to enter the Apple ID and password. Your Apple id credentials are not similar to the ones of Mac so add that. You might also have to add a verification code in other Apple devices. 

Follow carefully the instructions that are onscreen. You might be asked to select your startup disk, such as Macintosh HD. Then select your user and press forgot all passwords to proceed with the reset. 

After that, if your filevault is enabled you will need to enter the recovery key. It’s a long string of letters or numbers that you received when you first opened your File Vault. However, hope that you have stored these numbers somewhere safe. 

Then create when it’s prompted to create one. Your Macbook might even ask to create a new chain to store the passwords so that’s very normal. Allow it to create the keychain, then restart your MacBook and log in with your new password.

Reset Password Using Another Admin Account

In case a third party in your home forgot to set a password on his/her MacBook and you have an administrator account on that computer, you can open up and reset the password of the third party. This can only work when you are an administrator on the Mac.

Sign in to your administration account and tap on the Apple menu and System Settings. Go to Users & Groups on the sidebar. A list of all the user accounts appears on the MacBook.

Click under the user name to find out whether it is under the phrase “Admin” or not. When there is an Admin on your account, you can change the passwords of other users. Select the lock icon and provide your credentials of being an administrator.

Choose the user account requiring password to be reset in the list. Click the button of Reset Password and complete the steps of creating a new password for that user. Do not forget the new password, write it down, and present it to the user in secret.

Resetting Your Password in Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode is the second best alternative, in case other methods are not effective. This in-built option will allow you to access the password reset tools even when you are not able to log in to the system.

In the case of the MacBooks, which have the Intel processors, first of all, close your Mac. Hold all the Command and R keys of your keyboard and press the power button. Continue to press Command + R until you get the Apple logo with a progress bar below.

On all Apple M1, M2, and M3 chip-based MacBooks, it is necessary to shut down first. With the press and hold of the power button, you will see the startup options displayed on the screen. Click Options, and then click Continue to get into Recovery Mode.

After entering Recovery Mode, you will be presented with a number of choices such as Restore Time machine and Reinstall macOS. Select Click Utilities in the menu bar at the top of the screen and Terminal. An interactive window of instructions will appear.

Enter the following in one word and without any spaces or quotation marks: resetpassword. The Reset Password assistant window will be opened. Click through the instructions and choose your user account and a new password.

In the process, you may be required to sign in using your Apple ID. Once you have made a new password, you can restart your MacBook again by clicking on the Apple menu and then Restart. Now you are able to log in using your new password.

When Nothing Works: Last Resort Options

When all you have done is to no avail and you are unable to reset your password, there is only one last resort which is not the best. You are able to completely erase your Mac and go clean. This will permanently erase all accounts, passwords and data in your MacBook.

You should do this before you decide whether you need to access the existing data or not. In the event that you have a backup in Time Machine or iCloud, it may be okay to delete the files because you can undo the deletion in future.

To delete your Mac, restart your computer in Recovery Mode and shut it down once again. Upon request to pick a user, choose Recovery Assistant in the menu bar, and choose Erase Mac. Check it by clicking twice on Erase Mac.

Your MacBook will destroy all data and come on its own. You will then be required to reformat MacOS after Recovery and configure your Mac as though it were new.

Preventing Future Password Problems

Once you regain access to your MacBook, take steps to prevent this from happening again. Use a password manager app to store your passwords securely. Many password managers can also generate strong, unique passwords for you.

Enable Touch ID or Face ID if your MacBook supports it. This lets you unlock your Mac without typing a password every time, though you’ll still need the password occasionally.

Write down your password and store it somewhere safe, like a locked drawer or safe. Just make sure it’s not somewhere obvious like taped to your laptop or sitting on your desk.

Keep your Apple ID password separate and memorized since you’ll need it to reset your Mac password. Store your FileVault recovery key in a secure location away from your MacBook, such as a physical safe or with a trusted family member.

When Professional Help Is Needed

Sometimes password issues are symptoms of bigger problems with your MacBook. If you’re experiencing repeated password failures, strange error messages, or your Mac behaves oddly even after resetting your password, there might be underlying hardware or software issues.

Physical damage to your MacBook’s storage drive can cause all sorts of access problems. Corrupted system files might prevent proper authentication even with the correct password. These issues require professional diagnosis and repair that goes beyond simple password resets.

Don’t let frustration lead to more problems by attempting risky fixes you found online. Instead you can try Apple Gadgets Care, where certified technicians have the expertise and tools to diagnose complex MacBook issues. Whether it’s password recovery, data retrieval, or hardware repair, experienced professionals can help when DIY methods fail.

Moreover, its on-time service keeps your workflow moving without extended downtime. Also focuses on customer satisfaction where every repair is driven by transparent communication about what’s wrong and how to fix it. When you need expert help, competitive prices make it easy to get professional MacBook repair. Convenient service locations across Dhaka mean quality repair support is always nearby when password troubles reveal deeper issues.

FAQ

Can I recover my old MacBook password? 

No, for security reasons Mac doesn’t display your existing password; you can only create a new password through reset methods.

Will resetting my MacBook password delete my files? 

No, resetting your password keeps all your files, photos, and apps safe; only your login password changes unless you choose to erase the Mac completely.

What’s the difference between my Apple ID password and MacBook login password? Your Apple ID password accesses Apple services like iCloud and App Store, while your MacBook login password unlocks your computer locally.

How long does it take to reset a MacBook password? 

Using Apple ID or Recovery Mode typically takes 5-10 minutes; the process is quick once you follow the correct steps.