Change your password through System Settings

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder). Click Users & Groups in the sidebar, then select your account name. Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner and enter your current password to unlock the settings. Click Change Password, enter your old password once, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Click Change Password again to save.

Your new password takes effect when ready. You will use it the next time you log in, restart your Mac, or wake it from sleep. If you forget this password later, you can reset it using your Apple ID, but that process takes longer and requires additional verification.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your MacBook Air password in System Settings under Users & Groups, not in iCloud or Apple ID settings.
  • Your current password must be entered correctly before you can set a new one, and the new password must be typed identically twice.
  • The password change applies to your local account only and does not affect your Apple ID password or iCloud login.
  • If you forget your new password, you can reset it using your Apple ID, but you will need to verify your identity first.
  • A strong password contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and should not be a word found in a dictionary.

What happens if you forget your password

If you cannot remember your password and cannot log in, restart your Mac and hold Command + Q when the login screen appears. This opens the password reset options. Select your account, then click the question mark icon next to the password field. You will be asked security questions you set up when you created your account, or you can choose to reset using your Apple ID instead.

If you use your Apple ID to reset, Apple will send a verification code to the email address or phone number associated with that ID. Enter the code, then create a new password. This process can take several minutes and requires that your Apple ID is current and accessible.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your password every few months limits the window of time a stolen or guessed password can be used to access your files, email, and accounts linked to your Mac. If you suspect someone else knows your password—because you shared it, used it on a website that was breached, or typed it where others could see—change it when ready rather than waiting.

A password that is straightforward to guess or remember is also straightforward for someone else to guess. The strongest passwords are long (at least 12 characters), mix uppercase and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols, and do not spell a real word or use your name, birthday, or other personal information.

The difference between your Mac password and your Apple ID password

Your MacBook Air has two separate passwords: one for your local account (the one you change in System Settings) and one for your Apple ID (the account you use for iCloud, the App Store, and Apple services). Changing your Mac password does not change your Apple ID password, and vice versa. You need both to be find.

If you want to change your Apple ID password instead, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Security, and select Change Password. That change affects your iCloud login, App Store purchases, and other Apple services across all your devices, not just your Mac.

Using a password manager to store your new password

After you change your password, write it down in a password manager like Keychain (built into macOS), 1Password, Bitwarden, or LastPass rather than in a text file or notebook. Password managers encrypt your passwords and fill them in automatically, so you do not have to remember them or type them where someone might see.

macOS Keychain is included free with your Mac and stores passwords for websites, email accounts, and your Mac login. To view what Keychain has saved, open Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access. You can also set up iCloud Keychain to sync passwords across your Mac, iPhone, and iPad, though this requires your Apple ID.

Troubleshooting a password change that will not save

If you enter your new password but the change does not take effect, make sure you have unlocked the Users & Groups pane by clicking the lock icon and entering your current password. The lock must show as open (unlocked) before the Change Password button will work. If the button is greyed out, the pane is still locked.

Restart your Mac if the password change appears to have saved but does not work at the login screen. Sometimes the change takes a moment to sync across the system. If you still cannot log in with the new password, restart again and try your old password—the change may not have saved if you were interrupted or if the system shut down unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my Apple ID password when I change my Mac password?

No. Your Mac password and Apple ID password are separate. You can change one without changing the other. Change your Apple ID password only if you think it has been compromised or if you want to update it for security reasons.

What if I do not remember my current password to enter when changing it?

You cannot change your password without entering the current one first. Restart your Mac and hold Command + Q at the login screen to access password reset options. You can reset using security questions or your Apple ID instead.

Will changing my password log me out of apps and websites on my Mac?

No. Changing your Mac password does not log you out of Safari, Mail, or other apps. Those apps use their own saved passwords or tokens, not your Mac login password. You will only need to enter your new password the next time you log in or restart.

Can I use the same password for my Mac and my Apple ID?

You can, but it is not recommended. If someone learns one password, they gain access to both your local files and your Apple account. Using different passwords for each means a breach of one does not automatically compromise the other.

How long should my new password be?

At least 12 characters is a good target. Longer passwords are harder to guess or crack. Include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (like ! @ # $ %) to make it stronger. Avoid words from the dictionary or personal information like birthdays or names.