Forgot your MacBook password?

When your Mac starts up, you might get stuck on the login screen and forget your password. While forgetting your password prevents you from logging in, you can still access it using methods provided by Apple. Password reset steps can be applied via Apple ID, FileVault, Recovery Mode, and administrator accounts.

Resetting your password with your Apple ID.

Apple ID is one of the quickest solutions for resetting your password.
The following steps are followed:

- On the login screen, click on your username and the "Forgot my password?" option will appear.
- Enter your Apple ID email address and password.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new password.

Adding a password hint helps in case you forget your password. The actual password should not be entered in the hint field.

How to unlock a Mac with the FileVault key

FileVault is a disk encryption system used for data protection. Even if the password and recovery key are forgotten, access is possible if FileVault is enabled.

- Press and hold the power button until the Mac starts and the message "Enter your system lock PIN to unlock this Mac" appears on the screen.
- Enter the PIN code and restart the Mac.
- Once the restart is complete, the password will be reset and you will be able to log in.

If FileVault is not enabled, it is recommended to enable it for data security reasons. Disk contents are encrypted, providing additional protection against unauthorized access.

Resetting your password via Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode is a method used when the password cannot be accessed.

- The Mac will restart.
- Press and hold the Command and R keys simultaneously.
- The Utilities menu opens when the Apple logo appears.
- Select Terminal and type the command "resetpassword".
- Follow the on-screen steps to set a new password.

Changing Password via Administrator Account

If there is a second administrator account on the Mac, the password reset is done directly.

1- Log in with the other administrator account.
2- System Settings opens.
3. Go to the Users and Groups section.
4- Select the locked account and use the "Reset Password" button.

Updating Password on Mac

If you want to change your password before you forget it, follow these steps:

- The Apple menu opens.
- System Settings is selected.
- Go to the Users and Groups section.
- The lock icon appears.
- A new password is set using the "Reset Password" option.

A strong password typically contains at least 12 characters and includes various character types.

Frequently Asked Questions

When the number of incorrect login attempts increases, the Mac will briefly freeze. The login screen will display an option to reset your password using your Apple ID. If your Apple ID is not configured, other methods will apply.

Is it possible to reset a password without an Apple ID?

Yes, it can be reset, but it requires a password hint or a second administrator account. If these options are not available, the process is performed via Recovery Mode.

Does resetting your password delete files?

Resetting the password does not delete files. If FileVault is enabled, a recovery key or Apple ID is required to access the data. Without verification, the data remains locked.

Is it possible to reset a Mac password from another device?

The password cannot be reset directly through another device. However, resetting your Apple ID password via appleid.apple.com helps restore access to your Mac.

What do you do if you forget both your Mac password and your Apple ID password?

The first step is to reset your Apple ID password via appleid.apple.com. If the problem persists, access can be restored by authenticating through Apple Support.

If you're looking for a new device, you can browse the Mac product family models at the Irismo Store. You can consider the MacBook Air for portable use, the MacBook Pro for high performance, and the iMac for users who prefer a large screen.