Make sure that the “Allow user to reset password using Apple ID” box is checked. To check if this is enabled, open System Preferences, then navigate to Users & Groups. On older computers, this needs to be set up ahead of time in order to work. On modern Mac models, this is set by default. This will only work if the admin password you need to reset is an account tied to your Apple ID, typically your personal account on the computer. If your Mac is running a relatively new version of macOS (Mac OS X 10.7 Lion to be precise) you can use your Apple ID to reset an account, including the password. How to Reset macOS Admin Password With Your Apple ID You may have forgotten the password, but the hint could be enough to give you a push in the right direction. Select Login Options at the bottom of the left-hand pane, then check “Show password hints.”

To find this option, open System Preferences, then select Users & Groups. This will only be available if you’ve enabled password hints. This is the hint you or whoever set the password left to help you remember it. On the password entry screen, you’ll see a question mark icon next to the password field. Check the Password Hintīefore you start preparing to reset your admin password, there is one final thing to try. If you or the person who set the password can’t remember it, your only choice is to reset it. There are situations where you may not know this password, however, like if your Mac is a hand-me-down from a family member or if someone else set it up for you. This is the password that you need if you’re making any changes to your computer that could potentially cause it not to work how you want it to. Most of the time, assuming you’re talking about your own Mac, chances are good that you know the admin password.

Reset mac os password