Reset Mac Login Password

How to Reset Your Forgotten Mac OS X Login Password

Jan. 07, 2014 11:24 am / Posted by Michael Eric to Files & Database
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"I forgot my login password for my MacBook and I'm not sure if the username is correct. So can anyone help me reset Mac login password? Thanks in advance."

It really happened to everyone at some point – you create a new password and don't remember to save it somewhere, and then before you know it you've forgotten what it was. So forgot your Mac OS X login password? No worries. You are not out of luck. You will need to reset your forgotten Mac password and there are several ways to do this. We'll focus on the two best methods to recover login password for Mac computer (MacBook Pro, iMac, MacBook Air, Mac Pro, etc. which are running Mac OS X 10.9, 10.8, 10.7 and lower). Check them now.

Way 1: Reset Lost Mac Login Password with Apple ID

This one must be the best approach for Mac OS X (Mavericks, Mountain Lion, Lion etc) users because it's extremely fast and simple. The only requirements are that you must have tied an Apple ID to a user account, and you must have internet access so that the Mac can contact Apple to initiate the reset procedure.

Follow the instruction to reset lost Mac login password.

• From the Mac login or boot screen, enter any wrong password three times to summon the "Password Hint" box and a message saying "If you forgot your password you can reset it using your Apple ID". Click on that (>) arrow icon to start the Apple ID based reset.
• Enter your Apple ID credentials, this is the same information used to log into the App Store, iTunes, and iCloud, then click "Reset Password".
• Follow the instruction to enter a new password. Confirm the new password and let the Mac boot as usual.

  

Way 2: Reset Your Forgotten Mac Login Password with Install Disk

The other method is to use your installation disk of OS X. If you don't have this disk, then you'd better to buy a copy of Mac OS X. After all things set up, you can follow the steps to finish your reset procedure.

• Put your Mac OS X disk into the drive. Once you have booted off the disk you will need to choose your language, and then OS X will prepare the installation environment.

  

• Then choose the "Utilities" menu and choose "Reset Password".

  

• Now you need to choose the volume with the account you need to change the password for, choose the account from the drop down, and generate your new password and password hint if you wish to use one.

  Note: During the step, you may want to reset the ACLs since you have changed your password. Once you are done, you can save and restart the computer.

  

Now you have finished the conversion of Mac login password reset. Just enter the newly made password to access your Mac computer. Choose whichever you like to reset your lost, forgotten Mac OS X password.

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