A Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Mac Password

By Samuel Spenser Published on July 31,2023Password Tips

Keeping your data and personal information secure is crucial in today's digital landscape. One of the most effective steps to enhance your Mac's security is regularly changing and resetting your login password. This article will provide a comprehensive and detailed guide on how to change Mac password. Whether you've forgotten your password or simply want to update it for added security, the guide will help you navigate the process effortlessly.

• Part 1. Change Mac Login Password
• Part 2. Reset Mac Login Password
• Part 3. Best iPhone Password Manager
• Part 4. FAQs of How to Change Mac Password

Part 1. How to Change Login Password on Your MacBook

If you know the current login passcode on your Mac, you can easily change the Mac password. Follow the guide below to change the login password on your MacBook, iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Studio.

Step 1The first step in changing your login password on a Mac is accessing the password settings. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen, choose System Preferences from the dropdown menu, then click Users & Groups. Click Info next to your user account, then click the Change Password button. Step 2After that, you will be prompted to enter your current Mac password. It ensures that only authorized users can modify their password settings. Ensure the Allow user to reset password using Apple ID option is ticked. Enter your Mac password in the Old Password field and proceed to the next step. Step 3Once you have entered the old Mac password, you can start to create a new, stronger password. Use a new password that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. Avoid using personal information or common phrases. Create a new Mac password based on the requirements and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms or accounts. Use numbers, upper and lower case letters, special characters, etc., to create the Mac password. Double-check your entry to confirm the change. Step 4After changing the login password on your Mac, it's important to update the iCloud Keychain access. It stores all your passwords for various applications. Follow the prompts to proceed with the Keychain updating.

Part 2. How to Reset Your Mac Login Password

You can reset your Mac password using your Apple ID or the Recovery Partition if you forget it. This part will guide you to reset your Mac password with these two methods.

Reset Mac Password Using Apple ID

Enter an incorrect password three times on the Mac login screen. Mac will then offer to reset your password using your Apple ID. Enter your Apple ID and passcode, click the Reset Password button, then reset your Mac login password by following the on-screen instructions.

In addition to changing and resetting your Mac password, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of security. 2FA adds a second verification step, typically involving a unique code sent to your trusted Apple device, making it significantly harder for unauthorized individuals to access your account.

Reset Mac Password in Recovery Mode

If you can't access your Apple ID or can't reset your password with it, you can use the Recovery Partition to reset your Mac password.

Step 1Power off your Mac. Press and hold the Command and R keys simultaneously. Release the keys when the Apple logo or a spinning globe appears. Step 2Your Mac will boot into Recovery Mode, where you can access the password reset utility. Click the Utilities menu, choose the Terminal option from its drop-down list, type reset password, then press Enter to proceed. Step 3Select your startup disk from the dropdown menu at the top. Choose the user account for which you want to reset the password. Enter your new password and re-enter it to confirm. Provide a hint if desired. Click Save to change your Mac password. Close the Reset Password utility window and select Restart from the Apple menu. Step 3Select your startup disk from the dropdown menu at the top. Choose the user account for which you want to reset the password. Enter your new password and re-enter it to confirm. Provide a hint if desired. Click Save to change your Mac password. Close the Reset Password utility window and select Restart from the Apple menu.

Part 3. Best iPhone Password Manager to Change or Reset Login Passcode

iPassGo is an all-featured iPhone and iPad password manager tool that can help you change or reset various passcodes on your iOS devices. It lets you manage the lock screen password, Face ID, Touch ID, Screen Time passcode, iCloud Keychain, and more.

Step 1Download iPassGo on your Mac or Windows PC, open it, and connect your iPhone. This iPhone password manager offers five key features, Wipe Passcode, Remove Apple ID, Screen Time, Remove MDM, and Remove iTunes Backup Password. When you want to unlock your iPhone when you forget the current login password, you can choose the Wipe Passcode option. Step 2Click the Start button and help iPassGo to recognize your iPhone. Confirm the device information and download the related firmware package to remove your iPhone login password. Step 3If you don’t know the password for your Apple ID, you can turn to the Remove Apple ID function. Click the Start button when your iOS device is detected. iPassGo will start removing your Apple ID and its passcode. Your iPhone will restart when the process is finished. You can log in with another Apple account.

As mentioned above, iPassGo also allows you to bypass Screen Time restrictions and remove MDM and iTunes backup passcode safely. You can use the specific feature when you have such a need.

Part 4. FAQs of How to Change Mac Password