I forgot my Mac login password

Do this first

Check the basics first

• Restart your Mac. If you see no option to restart, press and hold the power (or Touch ID) button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off. Then turn it on again.
• Enter your Mac login password, not the password, email address, or phone number of your Apple Account.
• Use the correct uppercase or lowercase characters in your password. If your keyboard has Caps Lock turned on, the password field shows a Caps Lock symbol.
• Check the Input menu in the corner of the login window to be sure that your keyboard is set for the correct language.

Apple: If you forgot your Mac login password ↗

Then

1. 1 Use the reset options in the login window

   • If you see a question mark next to the password field, click the question mark.
   • If the login window shows a reset message, such as "Reset Password" or "Restart and show password reset options," click the message to begin the reset process.
   • Follow the onscreen instructions, which vary depending on your Mac setup.
   • If you don’t see a reset message or question mark:
   • Check again after entering a password up to three times.
   • If your account becomes locked after repeated login attempts, wait until the stated time has elapsed, then restart your Mac and try again. If that doesn't help, use the reset options in Recovery.

   Apple: If you forgot your Mac login password ↗

2. 2 Use the reset options in Recovery

   • Follow the steps to start up from macOS Recovery.
   • When asked to select a user you know the password for, click "Forgot all passwords?".
   • Follow the onscreen instructions, which vary depending on your Mac setup.
   • From the Utilities menu in the menu bar, choose Terminal.
   • In the window that opens, type resetpassword, then press Return.
   • In the window that opens, select "I forgot my password" or "My password doesn't work when logging in." Click Next.

   Apple: If you forgot your Mac login password ↗

3. 3 Asked for a FileVault recovery key?

   • A FileVault recovery key is a 24-character alphanumeric code created when FileVault is turned on. It's not the same as an Apple Account recovery key. If you don’t have your FileVault recovery key, but the Mac requesting it is using macOS Tahoe 26 or later, the key might be available in the Passwords app on one of your other devices, such as an iPhone, iPad, or other Mac.
   • Open the Passwords app.
   • Type "recovery key" in the Search field.

   Apple: If you forgot your Mac login password ↗

4. 4 Last resort: erase the Mac

   Apple: “If no other solution works, you can regain access to your Mac by erasing it. This permanently removes each user account, its password, and its data from your Mac.”

   • Shut down or turn off your Mac.
   • Start up from macOS Recovery. When asked to select a user you know the password for, choose Erase Mac from the Recovery Assistant menu in the menu bar.
   • In the window that opens, click Erase Mac, then click Erase Mac to confirm. After your Mac is erased, it automatically restarts.

   Apple: If you forgot your Mac login password ↗

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