Change your password through System Settings

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), then click Users & Groups in the sidebar. If the lock icon at the bottom left is closed, click it and enter your current password. Select your user account from the list on the left, then click the Password tab. Click Change Password, enter your current password once, then type your new password twice — once in the "New Password" field and once in the "Verify" field. Click Change Password to save it.

Your new password takes effect when ready. You will use it the next time you log in, wake your Mac from sleep, or unlock a preference pane. Make sure you remember it before you close System Settings — there is no confirmation screen after you click Change Password.

If you have turned on FileVault encryption (which most people should), your new password also becomes your FileVault recovery key. Write it down or store it in a password manager you trust. You will need it if you ever forget your login password.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, go to Users & Groups, unlock the pane with your current password, and click the Password tab to change it.
  • You must enter your current password once and your new password twice before the change takes effect.
  • Your new password works when ready for login, sleep wake, and preference pane unlocking.
  • If FileVault is on, your new password becomes your recovery key — store it somewhere safe outside your Mac.
  • If you forget your password after changing it, you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key, but the process takes longer than prevention.

What to do if the Users & Groups pane is locked

The lock icon at the bottom left of the Users & Groups pane prevents accidental changes. If it is closed, click it, then enter your current password when prompted. If you do not see a lock icon, you are already unlocked and can proceed to the Password tab.

If you enter your password and the pane does not unlock, your account may not have administrator rights. Ask someone with an administrator account to unlock the pane for you, or have them change the password on your behalf. Administrator accounts are marked with a gear icon in the Users & Groups list.

Resetting a password you have forgotten

If you have already changed your password and now cannot remember it, you have two main routes: use your Apple ID or use a recovery key. Open the login screen, click the question mark or "Forgot password?" link, then enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will send you a reset link to that email. Click the link, create a new password, and you can log in again.

If you do not have access to your Apple ID email or did not set up Apple ID recovery, you can use a FileVault recovery key if you saved one when you turned on encryption. Restart your Mac, enter the recovery key at the login screen, then create a new password. If you have neither an Apple ID recovery option nor a FileVault key, you will need to erase your Mac and reinstall macOS, which deletes all your files.

Changing a password for a different user account

If you are an administrator and need to change the password for another user account, open System Settings, go to Users & Groups, and unlock the pane with your own password. Click the account you want to change in the list on the left, then click the Password tab. Click Change Password, but this time you will not need to enter the other user's current password — just enter the new password twice and click Change Password.

The other user will use this new password the next time they log in. They can change it themselves afterward by following the same steps with their own account. If you change someone else's password without their knowledge, they will not be able to log in until you tell them the new one.

Making your new password strong

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid words from the dictionary, your name, your username, or anything someone who knows you could guess. "MacBook2024!" is weak because it contains a common word and predictable number. "Tr0pic@lSunset#42" is stronger because it has no dictionary words and mixes character types.

If you struggle to remember complex passwords, use a password manager like iCloud Keychain (built into macOS), 1Password, Bitwarden, or LastPass. These tools generate strong passwords and remember them for you. Your Mac can also suggest a strong password when you click the password field — click the key icon next to "New Password" and macOS will generate one for you.

Changing your password regularly

There is no technical reason to change your password every 30 days if it is already strong and unique. Change it if you think someone knows it, if you used the same password elsewhere and that other site was breached, or if you have not changed it in several years. Changing a weak password is more important than changing a strong one frequently.

If your Mac is shared with other people, change your password if someone moves out or leaves your household. If your Mac is only yours and you use a strong password, changing it once a year or less often is reasonable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my Mac after changing my password?

No. Your new password takes effect when ready. You will use it the next time you log in or wake your Mac from sleep, but you do not need to restart.

What happens to my saved passwords in Safari and other apps when I change my password?

Your saved passwords in Safari, Mail, and other apps remain unchanged. They are stored separately from your login password. If you change your login password, you do not need to update those saved passwords unless you also changed the password for that specific website or email account.

Can I change my password if I do not have administrator rights?

Yes, you can change your own login password without administrator rights. You can only change other people's passwords if you have an administrator account. Ask an administrator to unlock the Users & Groups pane if you need help.

What if I change my password and then forget it when ready?

Use your Apple ID to reset it. Go to the login screen, click "Forgot password?" or the question mark, enter your Apple ID email, and follow the reset link Apple sends you. This works as long as you remember your Apple ID password and have access to that email address.

Does changing my password affect my iCloud account?

No. Your Mac login password and your Apple ID password are separate. Changing one does not change the other. If you want to change your Apple ID password, do that in System Settings under your name at the top of the sidebar, then click Password & Security.