getting a password from a deceased husbands computer

William has passed a way This is

his wife and I am trying to get into his macbook air and Icloud to get pictures and importnt documents- how do I get into them?

MacBook Air 11", 10.11

Posted on Feb 10, 2019 7:49 PM

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2 replies

Feb 10, 2019 8:02 PM in response to farlwm

Reset lost admin password using Terminal from the Recovery Partition

https://coolestguidesontheplanet.com/reset-forgotten-admin-password-mac-osx/



The above may work to reset his account password as long as he hasn't set more strict security features on the computer.


Getting into the iCloud account and the Apple ID password is another matter. While Apple might be able to reset the password it is questionable if they will do so for anybody but the owner of the account. There was a recent discussion about this here on the forums and it raises the whole issue of privacy, even for the deceased. It is understandable wanting to get access to photos but even those may be private. Unfortunately people are only just starting to learn the meaning of digital legacy and how much of our lives are tied up behind user names and passwords. It is important people leave a record of these things for accounts to which others may need access, and to perhaps encrypt files they wish to always remain private.

Feb 10, 2019 9:46 PM in response to farlwm

See this article https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT202860

If in users and groups > login options > only name and password box is checked and if you open the Mac the name and password field will appear in that case see this method .


Before performing the steps to change password you must have iCloud Keychain verification code in your records , if it is not generate a new code .

( a ) Open system preferences > iCloud > the box for keychain is checked , click on options , click on change security code .

( b ) Click on security code > enter new code in the fields and click on next , you have to enter the new code for the second time and click on next .

In the next window the country code is written , enter your trusted mobile number …….and click on done .

Again enter your Apple ID password to update your account settings and click on ok , hence the code is changed , so write down this code in a safe place .


Shut down the system through apple logo , press command , R and power key simultaneously , release the keys when apple logo appears , the bar starts loading let it be completed , select the language as English .


Take cursor on top menu bar > click on utilities > click on terminal in the terminal window execute a command resetpassword and click on enter key .


A window appears , select your admin name , enter the password for Apple ID .

Two options will be shown ( a ) previous ( b) next , click on next 


Select your user account , you have to press forcefully on the trackpad to get it selected .

Some fields will appear .

New password ……

Verify password ……

Hint ……

Fill up the credentials ( enter a new password ) and click on next then you have to click on restart .


The Mac will restart but you will see pop ups as this Mac can’t connect to iCloud because a problem with your mail address open iCloud preferences for problem.

You will see two options ( a ) Later ( b) iCloud preferences 

And on the top right corner web mail ( could be gmail ) pop up will be there stating google password required enter your password for gmail address and showing close and continue .


Open system preferences > click on iCloud you will see the box for keychain is unchecked, so check mark the box a small pop - up will come on the screen after a while to enter iCloud verification code so enter it .

Make sure your trusted mobile is opened , after a while six digit code will come through sms on the mobile .Enter the six digit code on the next pop up .


You will see iCloud Keychain is setting up and a small circle is rotating the box for keychain is configured with iCloud server .


Now , on the top right corner of the desktop a google pop up is showing , click on continue a window will appear enter your gmail password so that is also configured .


Open airport utility through spotlight , click on base station you will see that password is empty , click on edit a pop up window will appear enter the base station or wireless network password .

Keep the box checked for remember this password in my keychain .


The settings will go to default .

Open safari and you have to reset the homepage once again ( open safari preferences click on General , enter the search engine link and take cursor on history > click on home and close safari window , a pop up window will appear change home page , click on it ) .


Lastly shut down the system when login window appears you can enter admin name and " new password " in the fields .


Note : If you enter in user library ( click on finder Go > hold option key and click on library ) > Find a folder keychains you will see login keychain is renamed and its a confirmation that login password has been changed and always be careful once login password is changed don’t delete login_rename …Keychain-db or previous login.Keychain-db from user library > keychain folder , if it is deleted the keychain application will be corrupted .

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getting a password from a deceased husbands computer

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