The fastest way: System Settings on your Mac

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder). Click your name at the top of the left sidebar — it shows your Apple ID. Then click "Password" in the right panel. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Click "Change Password" and you're done.

This method works on any Mac running macOS 13 or later. If you see "Users & Groups" instead of your name at the top, your Mac is older and you'll need the second method below.

Your new password takes effect when ready. You'll need to enter it the next time you log in, and it will also update on any other Apple devices you use — iPhone, iPad, or other Macs — within a few hours.

Key Takeaways

  • The System Settings method (gear icon, then your name, then Password) is the standard route on modern Macs and takes under two minutes.
  • If you're on an older Mac, use Users & Groups in System Preferences instead, select your account, and click "Change Password".
  • Your new password syncs across all your Apple devices automatically, so you won't need to update it separately on your iPhone or iPad.
  • If you forget your new password before you log out, you can change it again using the same steps — you'll just need to enter the password you just set.
  • If you're locked out of your Mac entirely, you'll need to use your Apple ID to reset your password from the login screen instead.

For older Macs: Users & Groups in System Preferences

If your Mac is running macOS 12 or earlier, the password change lives in a different place. Open System Preferences (the gear icon), then click "Users & Groups" in the left sidebar. Select your account name on the left, then click the "Change Password" button.

Enter your current password in the first field, your new password in the second field, and type it again in the third field to confirm. Click "Change Password" and close System Preferences.

The process is the same — your new password takes effect on your next login — but the location is different because Apple reorganized these settings in newer versions of macOS.

What happens if you forget your new password right after changing it

If you change your password and then when ready realize you've forgotten it before you log out, you can change it again using the same steps. You'll just need to enter the password you just created in the "current password" field. Write down your new password somewhere safe before you close the settings window.

If you've already logged out and can't remember the password, you'll need to use your Apple ID to reset it from the login screen. Click "Forgot password?" on the login screen, answer your security questions or use your recovery key, and you can set a new password without needing the old one.

Passwords that sync across your Apple devices

When you change your Mac password through System Settings or Users & Groups, you're changing your local account password — the one you use to log into that specific computer. This is different from your Apple ID password, which you use for the App Store, iCloud, and other Apple services.

If you've turned on iCloud sync on your Mac, your local password will automatically update on your other Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, other Macs) within a few hours. You don't need to change the password on each device separately. However, if you've never turned on iCloud sync, or if you use different passwords on different devices, you may need to update them manually.

To check whether iCloud sync is on, go back to System Settings, click your name, and look for "iCloud" in the left sidebar. If it shows your devices listed there, sync is active.

Changing your Apple ID password instead of your Mac password

If you want to change the password you use for the App Store, iCloud, or other Apple services — rather than the password you use to log into your Mac — that's a different process. Go to System Settings, click your name, then click "Password & Security" on the left. Click "Change Password" and follow the prompts.

You can also change your Apple ID password on any web browser by visiting appleid.apple.com, signing in, and clicking "Change Password" under the Security section. This method works from any computer, not just your Mac.

Changing your Apple ID password is separate from changing your Mac login password. You can change one without changing the other, though many people keep them the same for simplicity.

If you're locked out of your Mac entirely

If you can't log in to your Mac because you've forgotten your password and can't remember your Apple ID either, you have a few options. The fastest is to restart your Mac in Recovery Mode (hold Command + R while it boots), then use the "Reset Password" utility from the Utilities menu. This lets you reset your password without needing your Apple ID.

If that doesn't work, or if you've forgotten your Apple ID password as well, you'll need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store with proof of ownership. They can help you regain access to your account, though the process may take longer than resetting it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your Mac login password and your Apple ID password are separate. You can change one without changing the other. Most people keep them the same for convenience, but you don't have to.

Will changing my Mac password log me out of everything?

No. Changing your password doesn't log you out of apps or services. You'll just need to enter the new password the next time you restart your Mac or when your session times out.

How long does it take for my new password to sync to my iPhone?

If iCloud sync is turned on, your password usually syncs within a few hours. If you need it sooner, you can manually update your iPhone by going to Settings, tapping your name, then Password & Security, and changing it there.

Can I change my password if I'm not the main account holder?

Yes, if you have a standard user account, you can change your own password anytime. If you're an administrator, you can also change other users' passwords, but they'll need to know their current password to change it themselves.

What if I see "Users & Groups" but my Mac is newer?

That means your Mac is running an older version of macOS. You can still use Users & Groups to change your password — the steps are the same. To upgrade to the newer System Settings layout, update your Mac to the latest macOS version through System Preferences > Software Update.