The fastest way back in: using your Apple ID

If you remember your Apple ID and password, you can reset your Mac login password without erasing anything or calling Apple Support. When you enter your password wrong three times at the login screen, macOS shows a reset option that uses your Apple ID to create a new login password. This works on any Mac running macOS Big Sur or newer.

At the login screen, type any password three times incorrectly. A message appears saying you can reset your password using your Apple ID. Click that option, enter your Apple ID email and password, then create a new Mac login password. You'll be back in your account within seconds, and all your files stay exactly where they were.

This method only works if you have an Apple ID set up on that Mac. If you don't remember your Apple ID password either, you'll need to use a different route.

Key Takeaways

  • If you remember your Apple ID, you can reset your Mac password at the login screen by entering the wrong password three times and clicking the reset option.
  • If you don't have an Apple ID or can't remember it, you can use another administrator account on the same Mac to reset the password through System Settings.
  • If no other admin account exists, you can use macOS Recovery Mode to reset the password, though this requires knowing your Apple ID password.
  • If you forget every password and have no recovery options, you will need to erase the Mac and set it up fresh, which deletes all files.
  • Setting up a recovery contact or recovery key now prevents this problem later.

Using another administrator account on the same Mac

If you have a second administrator account on your Mac, that account can reset the password for your main account without needing your Apple ID. Log in with the other admin account, then open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs) and go to General > Users & Groups.

Click the lock icon in the bottom left corner and enter that admin account's password. Select your account from the list on the left, then click the "Reset Password" button. You'll create a new password for your account, and you can log back in when ready.

This method is clean and fast if you have access to another admin account. The catch is that you need to remember that account's password too. If both accounts are locked, you'll need to move to Recovery Mode.

Recovery Mode: the option when you have no other accounts

If you're the only administrator on your Mac, Recovery Mode lets you reset your password using your Apple ID. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R as it boots up. Keep holding until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. This takes you into Recovery Mode, a special startup environment separate from your regular Mac.

In Recovery Mode, click Utilities in the menu bar, then Terminal. Type resetpassword and press Enter. A password reset window opens. Select your account from the dropdown, enter your Apple ID email and password, then create a new Mac login password. Restart your Mac normally, and you can log in with the new password.

Recovery Mode requires your Apple ID password, so this only works if you remember it. If you don't, you have one more option: a recovery key that you may have set up earlier. If you set up two-factor authentication on your Apple ID, you can use a recovery key instead of your password to reset your Mac password in Recovery Mode.

What to do if you don't remember your Apple ID password either

If you can't remember your Apple ID password and you have no recovery key, you'll need to reset your Apple ID password first. Go to iforgot.apple.com on another device (phone, tablet, or different computer). Enter your Apple ID email, then follow Apple's steps to verify your identity. You can verify using a trusted phone number, a recovery email address, or security questions you set up earlier.

Once you've reset your Apple ID password, go back to your Mac and use that new password in Recovery Mode to reset your login password. This adds extra steps, but it keeps your files intact.

If you can't verify your Apple ID identity through any of those methods, you'll need to contact Apple Support directly. They can help you regain access to your Apple ID, though the process takes longer than the self-service routes.

The last resort: erasing and setting up fresh

If you have no Apple ID access, no other admin accounts, and no way to verify your identity to Apple, your only option is to erase the Mac and set it up as new. This deletes all files, applications, and settings on that Mac. You should only do this if you have backups of your important files elsewhere.

To erase your Mac, restart in Recovery Mode (Command + R during startup), click Utilities, then Disk Utility. Select your main drive and click Erase. Choose a format (APFS for newer Macs, Mac OS Extended for older ones) and confirm. Once erased, you can set up your Mac as a new computer and restore files from a Time Machine backup if you have one.

This is destructive and should be a last resort. If you have files you can't afford to lose, do not erase without checking whether you have a backup first.

Preventing this from happening again

The easiest way to avoid a locked-out Mac is to write down your passwords somewhere find — a physical notebook in a locked drawer, or a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden that you access from another device. If you use a password manager, you'll always have your passwords even if you forget them.

You can also set up a recovery contact on your Apple ID. Go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Account, then Recovery Contacts. Add a trusted person who can help you regain access if you get locked out. You can also generate a recovery key — a long code that works like a backup password for your Apple ID. Store this key somewhere safe, separate from your regular passwords.

On your Mac itself, consider setting up a second administrator account for a family member or trusted friend. If you ever get locked out of your main account, they can reset your password from their account without needing your Apple ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my password if I don't have internet access?

You need internet to verify your Apple ID, so if your Mac is offline, you won't be able to use the Apple ID reset method. If you have another admin account on the Mac, you can reset your password without internet. Otherwise, you'll need to connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet first.

Will resetting my password delete my files?

No. Resetting your login password through any of these methods leaves all your files, applications, and settings untouched. Only erasing the Mac deletes files, and that's a separate step you have to choose deliberately.

What if I see a message saying my account is managed by my organization?

If your Mac is managed by a company or school, your IT department controls password resets. Contact them directly — they have tools to reset your password without you needing your Apple ID. Do not try to erase a managed Mac without permission from IT.

How long does it take to reset my password?

If you use your Apple ID at the login screen, it takes less than a minute. If you use another admin account, it's also quick. Recovery Mode takes a bit longer because you have to restart your Mac and navigate the recovery environment, but the actual reset is still fast once you're there.

Can I use my iPhone to reset my Mac password?

Not directly. You need to use your Mac itself or another computer to reset your Mac password. However, if you have your iPhone nearby, you can use it to access your Apple ID email or recovery codes, which helps you verify your identity during the reset process.