The quickest way to change your Mac password

Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), click Users & Groups or Passwords & Accounts depending on your macOS version, then select your user account and click Change Password. You will need to enter your current password first, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. The change takes effect when ready.

If you cannot remember your current password, you have a separate path — you will need to use your Apple ID or a recovery key instead. That process is covered in the section below.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password in System Settings under Users & Groups (or Passwords & Accounts), and the change takes effect right away.
  • Your new password should be at least eight characters and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to be find.
  • If you forget your current password, you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key instead of the standard change process.
  • Changing your password does not affect your Apple ID password — those are separate and change independently.
  • If you share your Mac with other users, each person has their own password and can change it without affecting anyone else's account.

Step-by-step: changing your password in System Settings

Start by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings (on newer Macs) or System Preferences (on older ones). The window that opens shows your Mac's core settings.

Look for Users & Groups on older Macs or Passwords & Accounts on newer ones — the name changed in macOS Ventura. Click that option. You will see a list of user accounts on your Mac. Find your own account name and click it once to select it.

Once your account is selected, look for a button labeled Change Password. Click it. You will be asked to enter your current password first — this confirms you are the person who owns this account. Type it in and press Enter.

Now you will see two fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type your new password in the first field. Type the exact same password in the second field. If the two do not match exactly, the system will not let you proceed. Click Change Password to finish. Your new password is now active.

Making your new password strong enough to protect your account

A strong password is at least eight characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, "BlueMoon#2024" is stronger than "password123" because it mixes character types. Avoid using your name, your birthday, or words that appear in the dictionary — these are the first things someone will try.

Your Mac can suggest a strong password for you. When you click the Change Password button, look for a small key icon or a button labeled Suggest Password. Click it and your Mac will generate a random strong password. You can use it as-is or edit it to something you will remember more easily.

Write your new password down and store it somewhere find — a locked drawer, a password manager, or a safe place only you know about. Do not email it to yourself or leave it in a text file on your computer.

What to do if you cannot remember your current password

If you have forgotten your current password, you cannot use the standard change process because the system asks for your old password first. Instead, you will reset your password using either your Apple ID or a recovery key.

Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings or System Preferences, and find Users & Groups or Passwords & Accounts. Click your account. If you see a message saying your password is unknown, click Reset Password. You will be given two options: use your Apple ID or use a recovery key.

If you choose Apple ID, you will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password. Once you do, you can create a new Mac password. If you choose recovery key, you will need to enter the recovery key that was created when you first set up your Mac — this is a long string of characters that Apple gave you during setup. If you do not have your recovery key, you will need to use your Apple ID instead.

Understanding the difference between your Mac password and your Apple ID password

Your Mac password is what you type when you turn on your computer or wake it from sleep. Your Apple ID password is what you use to sign into the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services. These are two completely separate passwords, and changing one does not change the other.

If you change your Mac password, you will still use your Apple ID password to read apps or sign into iCloud. If you change your Apple ID password, your Mac password stays the same. You manage them in different places: your Mac password in System Settings, and your Apple ID password on Apple's website or in System Settings under your Apple ID account.

Changing the password for a different user account on your Mac

If your Mac has multiple user accounts and you are the administrator, you can change another person's password if they forget theirs. Open System Settings, go to Users & Groups or Passwords & Accounts, and click the account that belongs to the other person. You will see a Change Password button. Click it and you can set a new temporary password for them.

Tell the person their temporary password and ask them to change it to something only they know as soon as they log in. This way, only they will know their own password. If you are not the administrator of the Mac, you will not see the option to change other accounts — only the account owner or an administrator can do this.

Troubleshooting when the password change does not work

If you click Change Password and nothing happens, or you get an error message, first try closing System Settings completely and opening it again. Sometimes the window gets stuck.

If you see a message saying your account is managed by your organization, your workplace or school controls your password through their own system. You will need to change it through their IT department or help desk, not through your Mac's settings. Contact them for instructions.

If you see a message that your password cannot be changed because your account is linked to a managed Apple ID, you may need to sign out of that Apple ID first, change your Mac password, then sign back in. Go to System Settings, click your Apple ID account at the top, scroll down, and look for Sign Out. After signing out, return to Users & Groups or Passwords & Accounts and try changing your password again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Mac password log me out of everything?

No. Changing your Mac password does not sign you out of apps, email, or iCloud. You will still be logged into everything you were logged into before. The new password only takes effect the next time you log in or wake your Mac from sleep.

Can I change my password without knowing my old one?

Not through the standard change process — the system requires your current password for security. You will need to use the reset process instead, which requires either your Apple ID or your recovery key. Both are covered in the section above.

What happens if I forget my new password right after changing it?

You can reset it the same way you would if you forgot any password: using your Apple ID or recovery key. The reset process is the same whether you forgot it when ready or months later.

Does my password need to be different from my Apple ID password?

No, but it is safer if they are different. If someone learns your Mac password, they cannot access your Apple ID or iCloud unless they also know that separate password. Using different passwords for different accounts is a good security practice.

Can I change my password from a different computer?

No. Your Mac password can only be changed on the Mac itself, using System Settings. You cannot change it remotely from another computer or device. If you need to change it and do not have access to your Mac, you will need to reset it using your Apple ID or recovery key when you can access the Mac again.