Change your password through System Settings

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner and selecting System Settings. In the sidebar, click Users & Groups (or Users & Accounts on newer macOS versions). You may need to click the lock icon at the bottom and enter your current password to make changes.

Select your user account from the list on the left. Click the Password tab, then click Change Password. Enter your current password in the first field, then type your new password twice — once in the "New Password" field and again in the "Verify" field. Click Change Password to save the new one.

Your new password takes effect when ready. You will use it the next time you log in or when the system asks you to authenticate an action.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your MacBook password through System Settings under Users & Groups, not through a separate security panel.
  • You must enter your current password before creating a new one, even if you are the account owner.
  • Your new password becomes active right away and applies to login, app installations, and any action requiring authentication.
  • If you forget your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key, but the process takes longer than changing a known password.
  • A strong password contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid birthdays, names, or dictionary words.

What happens if you forget your current password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the method above. Instead, restart your Mac and hold Command + Q during startup to reach the login screen. Click the question mark icon next to the password field, then select "Reset it with your Apple ID" or "Reset it with your recovery key," depending on what you set up when you created your account.

If you chose the Apple ID route, enter your Apple ID email and password. Your Mac will send a verification code to a trusted device — usually your iPhone or another Mac. Enter that code to proceed. If you set up a recovery key when you created your account, enter it instead. The recovery key is a long string of characters you wrote down during initial setup.

After verification, you will create a new password. This process can take 10 to 15 minutes because Apple verifies your identity before allowing a reset. Keep your Apple ID credentials and recovery key in a safe place so you can use them if needed.

Create a password that is hard to guess

A strong password uses at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, birthdate, pet's name, or common words that appear in the dictionary. Do not reuse a password from another account — if one service gets hacked, attackers will try that password on your Mac.

One approach is to use a passphrase: a string of random words separated by numbers or symbols, like "Purple7Elephant-Keyboard9Lamp". This is easier to remember than a random string and harder to crack than a straightforward word. Another option is to use a password manager like iCloud Keychain (built into macOS) or a third-party tool like 1Password or Bitwarden, which generates and stores strong passwords for you.

Use Touch ID or Face ID instead of typing your password

If your MacBook has a Touch ID sensor (built into the power button on newer models) or a camera for Face ID, you can authenticate without typing your password. Go to System Settings, click Users & Groups, select your account, and click the Password tab. Check the box next to "Allow user to unlock this Mac with Touch ID" or "Allow user to unlock this Mac with Face ID," depending on your hardware.

You still need to know your password for certain actions — like changing settings in System Settings or installing software — but biometric authentication speeds up everyday login. If your fingerprint or face does not work, your Mac will ask for your password as a backup.

Change the password for a different user account

If you are the administrator on your Mac, you can change another user's password without knowing their current one. Open System Settings, click Users & Groups, and unlock the panel with your own password. Select the account you want to change, click the Password tab, and click Reset Password. Enter a temporary password, then click Reset.

The account owner will see a prompt to change this temporary password the next time they log in. They cannot use their old password anymore. This is useful if someone forgets their password and you need to restore their access, but it also means an administrator can reset any account on the machine.

What to do after you change your password

After changing your password, you may need to update it in other places. If you use iCloud, your Mac password and Apple ID password are separate — changing one does not change the other. If you want them to match, go to System Settings, click [Your Name] at the top of the sidebar, then click Password & Security. You can change your Apple ID password there, but it requires verification through a trusted device.

Check any apps or services that store your Mac login credentials, such as cloud backup tools, remote access software, or password managers. Some will prompt you to re-enter your password the next time they run. Others may continue working until you manually update them in their settings. If you use your Mac password to log into work systems or shared drives, notify your IT department or update those systems separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without restarting my Mac?

Yes. Open System Settings, go to Users & Groups, select your account, click the Password tab, and click Change Password. You do not need to restart. The new password takes effect when ready for future logins and authentication requests.

What if I type the wrong password twice in the verification field?

System Settings will show an error message and ask you to try again. Make sure Caps Lock is off and that you are typing the same password in both the "New Password" and "Verify" fields. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword".

Does changing my Mac password change my Apple ID password?

No. Your Mac login password and your Apple ID password are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. If you want to change your Apple ID password, go to System Settings, click [Your Name], select Password & Security, and follow the prompts.

Can I use the same password for multiple accounts on my Mac?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended. If one account is compromised, all accounts with that password become vulnerable. Each user account should have its own unique password, especially if the Mac is shared with others.

What should I do if I think someone else knows my password?

Change your password when ready using the steps in the first section. If you suspect unauthorized access, also change your Apple ID password and enable two-factor authentication in System Settings under [Your Name] > Password & Security. Review your iCloud activity and check for unfamiliar devices signed into your account.