Lost Access to Your MacBook? Here’s How to Reset Your Password – 2025

Lost Access to Your MacBook? Here’s How to Reset Your Password

Forgetting your MacBook password can be frustrating, but don’t worry—there are multiple ways to regain access. Whether you use your Apple ID, Recovery Mode, or a special administrator reset, this guide will walk you through the steps to unlock your MacBook and create a new password.

1. TRY HINTS OR ANOTHER ACCOUNT

Before going through password reset options, try these simple methods:

• Enter the password you remember multiple times to see if macOS suggests a hint.
• If there’s another user account with administrative privileges, log into it and reset your password from System Preferences > Users & Groups.

2. RESET PASSWORD USING APPLE ID

If you linked your Apple ID to your Mac user account, you can reset your password easily:

1. On the login screen, enter any password incorrectly three times.
2. Click Reset it using your Apple ID when prompted.
3. Follow the instructions to reset your password.
4. Restart your Mac and log in with the new password.

3. RESET PASSWORD USING RECOVERY MODE

If Apple ID recovery doesn’t work, use macOS Recovery Mode:

1. Restart your Mac and immediately press Command (⌘) + R until you see the Apple logo.
2. Select Disk Utility, then Continue.
3. Choose Utilities > Terminal from the top menu.
4. Type the following command and press Enter:

   resetpassword

5. Follow the prompts to create a new password.
6. Restart your Mac and log in with the new password.

4. RESET PASSWORD USING ANOTHER ADMIN ACCOUNT

If another user on your Mac has administrative access:

1. Log in to the admin account.
2. Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups.
3. Select the locked user account and click Reset Password.
4. Enter a new password and restart your Mac.

5. ERASE YOUR MAC (LAST RESORT)

If no other methods work, you may need to erase your Mac and reinstall macOS.

1. Restart your Mac and enter Recovery Mode by pressing Command (⌘) + R.
2. Choose Disk Utility > Erase.
3. Exit Disk Utility and select Reinstall macOS.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Mac as new.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Forgetting your MacBook password can be inconvenient, but Apple provides several ways to recover it. If none of these methods work, you may need to contact Apple Support for further assistance. Make sure to use a strong password you’ll remember, and consider setting up a password manager to prevent future lockouts.