The fastest way depends on whether you remember your Apple ID

If you remember your Apple ID password, you can reset your Mac login password from the login screen itself — no recovery disk or second computer needed. If you do not remember your Apple ID password, you will need to recover it first through Apple's website, then use it to reset your Mac password. If you have no access to your Apple ID at all, you will need to use Recovery Mode, which takes longer but does not require that account.

The method you choose also depends on whether you set up your Mac with an Apple ID (most modern Macs do this automatically). Older Macs or those set up without an Apple ID use a different path. Start by trying the Apple ID method at the login screen — if it does not appear as an option, move to Recovery Mode.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your Apple ID password, click the question mark on the login screen and enter your Apple ID to reset your Mac password in minutes.
  • If you forgot your Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com from another device, recover your Apple ID, then return to your Mac login screen to reset.
  • If you have no Apple ID access, restart your Mac into Recovery Mode by holding Command and R, then use the Reset Password utility from the Utilities menu.
  • Recovery Mode requires you to answer security questions you set up when you created your account, so write down what you remember before starting.
  • If none of these methods work, you will need to erase your Mac and reinstall macOS, which deletes all files on the drive.

Resetting your password using your Apple ID at the login screen

On your Mac login screen, look for a question mark icon or a "Reset Password" option. Click it. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID and password. Once you do, you can create a new Mac login password right there.

This is the fastest method if you remember your Apple ID password. The new password takes effect when ready, and you can log in to your Mac right away. You do not need another computer or any special tools.

Recovering your Apple ID password first

If the Apple ID method appears on your login screen but you do not remember your Apple ID password, you need to recover it before you can use it to reset your Mac password. Go to iforgot.apple.com from another device — a phone, tablet, or another computer.

Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address). Apple will ask you to verify your identity. You can do this by answering security questions you set up when you created your Apple ID, receiving a code by email, or receiving a code by text message if you have a trusted phone number on file. Once you verify, you can set a new Apple ID password.

After you have recovered your Apple ID password, go back to your locked Mac, click the question mark on the login screen, and enter your Apple ID and the new password. You can then reset your Mac login password.

Using Recovery Mode when you have no Apple ID access

If the Apple ID option does not appear on your login screen, or if you cannot recover your Apple ID, you will need to use Recovery Mode. Shut down your Mac completely. Turn it back on and when ready hold down Command + R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. Keep holding until the macOS Utilities window appears.

From the Utilities menu at the top, select Reset Password. A window will open asking you to choose a user account. Select your account. You will then be asked to answer the security questions you set up when you created your Mac account. Answer them correctly, and you can set a new password.

If you do not remember your security questions or cannot answer them correctly, Recovery Mode will not let you proceed. In that case, you will need to erase your Mac and reinstall macOS, which erases all files on the drive.

What to do if security questions are the problem

Security questions are the lock on Recovery Mode. If you set them up years ago and do not remember your answers, or if you never set them up at all, Recovery Mode will not work. You have two options: contact Apple Support to verify your identity through other means, or erase your Mac and reinstall macOS.

Apple Support can sometimes help you bypass security questions if you can prove you own the Mac through other information — your original receipt, the serial number, or answers to questions about your account history. This process can take several days. If you need access faster, erasing and reinstalling is quicker, but you will lose all files unless you have a backup.

Erasing your Mac and reinstalling macOS as a last resort

If you cannot use the Apple ID method, cannot recover your Apple ID, and cannot answer your security questions, you will need to erase your Mac and reinstall macOS. This deletes everything on your drive, so only do this if you have backed up your files or if you have no files you need to keep.

Start in Recovery Mode the same way: shut down, turn on, and hold Command + R. From the Utilities menu, select Disk Utility. Select your Mac's main drive (usually called "Macintosh HD"), click the Erase button, and follow the prompts. After erasing, quit Disk Utility and select Reinstall macOS from the Utilities menu. The installation will take 30 minutes to an hour.

When the installation finishes, you will go through the Mac setup process as if it were new. You can then restore your files from a Time Machine backup if you have one, or set up your Mac from scratch.

Preventing this from happening again

Write down your security questions and answers somewhere safe — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager, or a document in a safe place. Do not store them in a note on your Mac itself, because you will not be able to access them if you are locked out.

Set up a recovery email address and phone number in your Apple ID settings. This makes it much easier to recover your Apple ID if you forget the password. Also, turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID if you have not already — it adds security and gives you more ways to prove your identity if you get locked out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password without knowing my Apple ID?

Not through the login screen method. You can use Recovery Mode instead, but you will need to answer your security questions correctly. If you cannot answer them, you will need to erase your Mac and reinstall macOS.

How long does it take to reset a password in Recovery Mode?

If you remember your security questions, 10 to 15 minutes. If you need to contact Apple Support to verify your identity, it can take several days. If you need to erase and reinstall, plan for 1 to 2 hours depending on your internet speed.

Will I lose my files if I reset my password?

No, unless you erase your Mac. The Apple ID method and Recovery Mode both reset your password without touching your files. Erasing your Mac deletes everything, so only do that if you have no other option.

What if I do not remember my Apple ID email address?

Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter the phone number or email address you think might be associated with your account. Apple will search for accounts matching that information and help you find your Apple ID.

Can I reset my password if my Mac is encrypted with FileVault?

Yes. FileVault encryption does not prevent password reset — you can still use the Apple ID method or Recovery Mode. You will need to enter your password to decrypt the drive after you reset it, but the reset process itself works the same way.