How to Change or Reset Mac/MacBook Password (Sonoma/Ventura)

Cassie Xie
Last updated: Jul 21, 2023
Summary: This post mainly introduces how to change or reset Mac password. Step-by-step guide is included.

If you forgot your Mac login password, you can check the 4 ways below to easily reset Mac password. Steps for how to change Mac password when you know your current password are also included.

reset Mac password

How to Reset Mac/MacBook Password If You Forgot It

If you forgot MacBook password and can’t log into your Mac, you can check how to reset Mac password below. 4 ways are provided.

1. How to Reset Mac Password with Apple ID

If your Mac user account is associated with your Apple ID, you can reset the Mac login password with your Apple ID.

  1. On the Mac login screen, click the “?” icon or “Forgot Password” next to the password field.
  2. Click the arrow next to “reset it using your Apple ID”.
  3. Enter your Apple ID and password linked to your Mac user account and click Next.
  4. Follow the instructions to reset your MacBook login password.
  5. Log into your Mac with the new password.
tip
You can click Apple > System Settings > Users & Groups, click “i” next to the target user account, and turn on the “Allow user to reset password using Apple ID” option. Then you can reset your Mac password using your Apple ID when needed.

2. Reset MacBook Password in Recovery Mode

If you can’t reset your Mac password with Apple ID, you can reset your password by using Mac Recovery Mode.

  1. On an Intel-based Mac, start or restart your Mac, and immediately hold the Command + R keys to boot your Mac into Recovery Mode. On an Apple silicon Mac, press and hold the Power button, click Options > Continue.
  2. In Recovery Mode, select Utilities from the menu bar and select Terminal to launch the Terminal app.
  3. In the Terminal window, type the command resetpassword and press Enter to open the Reset Password utility.
  4. Select your Mac startup disk and select the user account you want to reset the password.
  5. Enter a new login password for your Mac and optionally add a password hint.
  6. Click Next and click Restart to boot your Mac into normal mode with the new password.

3. Reset Your Mac Login Password with Recovery Key

If you have turned on FileVault encryption on your Mac and created a recovery key, you can reset your MacBook password with the recovery key.

  1. On your MacBook login screen, click “?” next to the password field.
  2. Click the arrow next to “Reset it using your recovery key”.
  3. Enter the recovery key and follow the instructions to reset your login password.

4. Fix Forgot MacBook Password with Another User Account

If you have more than one user account on your Mac, you may reset your password with another account.

  1. Log into your Mac with another account.
  2. Click Apple > System Settings > Users & Groups.
  3. Click the “Lock” icon at the bottom-left corner.
  4. Select the target account that you want to reset the password and click Reset Password.
  5. Enter a new password for that account and log out of the current user account.
  6. Then you can log into your Mac with the account you just reset the password.

How to Change Mac/MacBook Password

If you know your current Mac login password, you can follow the steps below to change the password.

  1. Click Apple > System Settings > Users & Groups.
  2. Click the “i” icon next to your username and click Change Password.
  3. In the Old Password field, enter your Mac’s current login password.
  4. In the New Password field, enter a new password and confirm it.
  5. Optionally add a password hint to help you remember the new password.
  6. Click Change Password to change your Mac login password.
Change Mac/MacBook Password

Final Thoughts

This post offers 4 ways to help you reset Mac password if you forgot your Mac login password. How to change Mac/MacBook password when you know the current password is also introduced.

If you need a Mac cleaner program to clean your Mac, free up space on your Mac, and speed up your Mac, you can use BuhoCleaner.

For other Mac or iPhone tips and solutions, you may visit Dr.Buho’s official website.

Cassie has been writing about technology for her entire career life - over 5 years. She enjoys diving into how Apple products work and then breaking it down in a way anyone can understand.