How do I reset the administrator password?

Ap134GH wrote:

I have a new update, MacOS Catalina, that requires an administrator password. How do I get a password?

So you do not have your Mac’s administrative password? Is that because this was a new-to-you Mac with macOS already installed and configured, or because the password has been forgotten?

If the former, follow the steps above to back up your files, and wipe and reinstall your Mac. This will cause macOS to be i stalled and associated with your Apple ID.

If the latter, open System Preferences > Users & Groups, and look at the list in the left column. iIs your user listed as an Admin, or is there a different login listed as Admin. If your user is listed as Admin, use your login password. If your user is not listed as Admin, use that Admin user’s password.

If you have forgotten the Admin password, use the Reset Password Assistant described here:

Change or reset the password of a macOS user account - Apple Support

If this is a new-to-you Mac, I strongly encourage backup, wipe, and re-install, as otherwise this and other updates will be associated with the previous owner’s Apple ID, and the previous owner may (or will) retain the ability to remotely reset this Mac.

Also, how do I remove the update from my computer?

By installing it, best.

mlp8415 wrote:

How do I reset a forgotten admin password?

Please see preceding replies. Here is the link included earlier, reposted:

Change or reset the password of a macOS user account - Apple Support

OOPs the link didn't paste, how's it going?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202860 

tsedlock wrote:

how to reset admin pw...says its in a document but there is no document

Please see preceding replies. Here is the link included earlier, reposted:

Change or reset the password of a macOS user account - Apple Support

Dar01 wrote:

How do I reset the admin password?

Please see preceding replies. Here is the link included earlier, reposted:

Change or reset the password of a macOS user account - Apple Support

tsedlock wrote:

I'm starting to think they don't know the answer

The answer to what?

How to reset the administrative password?

That’s covered in the linked article, typically using the FileVault path, or a Recovery key, or the linked Apple ID.

If those paths are not applicable or not available, please post your specific Mac and year, and macOS version.

There are other paths available, with varying outcomes. Re-running the setup is one option.

Without the original password, the contents of Keychain will be inaccessible.

abigappleday wrote:

Can I talk to a customer service agent about changing my Administrator's password?

Please see preceding replies. Here is the link included earlier, reposted:

Change or reset the password of a macOS user account - Apple Support

For Apple: https://getsupport.apple.com/

You will not be able to recover some information associated with the now-lost Admin login.

If you've forgotten the FileVault password, more (most) information will be unavailable.

If you still have access, make a backup.

Then follow this sequence:

http://www.theinstructional.com/guides/how-to-re-run-the-os-x-setup-assistant

Details there can vary by macOS release.

If this is a new-to-you Mac, wipe it and re-install.

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support

how do i reset the administrators password

How to create a new admin password when I've forgotten the original. Have tried "change and reset password of macOS, but it either requires knowledge of original password or use of Apple ID password, which didn't work. Now what can I do?

I don’t want to finalize the installation of the macOS Catalina update on my computer.

I initially pressed install which I now regret. It will not process because I do not have an administrator password.

What is the best way to remove It from my computer? I tried to trash it, and that did not work.

Thank you!

Apple differentiates “upgrade” from “update”. The former is a bigger change, from Mojave 10.14 to Catalina 10.15, for instance. The latter for is fixes and minor changes within a release, and updates are usually transparent to apps.

Which macOS version are you currently running?

Exactly what do you mean by “finalize” here?

When you tried to trash the upgrade or update, what was the text of the diagnostic(s) shown?

Quitting the upgrade (if this is an upgrade and not an update) is usually sufficient.

If you don’t have the Admin password, you will want to recover that.

I have iMac which i bought on ebay, i am sure i didn't have to log in with a password and have not used it for a couple of years.

I have created a new Apple id and password which Apple recognise but my iMac now wants a password to log in and so i have to log in as a guest user and anything i wish to do usually asks for an administrator username/id and password which i can't remember if i created one or not.I have also downloaded a newer version of el capitan but cannot install it because it asks for administrator username/id password. Can anyone help? THANKS.

How recently has this behavior started, as compared with when you started using this Mac?

Did you start from the Welcome to Mac setup, or from an existing login and password?

Here’s the expected procedure for preparing a new Mac for sale:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support

Some of this will not apply to you as the new owner, though wiping will.

Get a backup first, if you already have stuff on this Mac.

Another possibility here is a failing storage device. Disks can fail at any time, but they do inevitably fail. Have backups.

Please refer to the following Apple Support document...


Change or reset the password of a macOS user account - Apple Support