Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

I’m locked out of my I Mac. Need help!

The administrator is locked me out of my iMac can you help me recover the admin!

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jun 13, 2020 7:18 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jun 13, 2020 9:31 AM

Reset your Mac login password…

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/reset-your-mac-login-password-mh35902/mac


If that doesn't work & FileVault isn't on or you have no T1/T2 chip...


You can create a new administrator account by restarting the Setup Assistant:

  1. Boot into Single User Mode: Start/restart your Mac. As soon as you hear the startup tone, press and hold ⌘ + S until you see a black screen with white lettering. (If you end up back on the login screen after a flash of the black screen with white lettering, enter your password and it will return to the black screen.)
  2. Check and repair the drive by typing /sbin/fsck -fy then ↩ enter - as directed by the on-screen text.
  3. Mount the drive as read-write by typing /sbin/mount -uw / then ↩ enter.
  4. Remove the Apple Setup Done file by typing rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone then ↩ enter.
  5. Reboot by typing reboot then ↩ enter.
  6. Complete the setup process, creating a new admin account.


Be very careful to notice the spaces in those Terminal Commands.


Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine, except all your data will stile there. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!


5 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jun 13, 2020 9:31 AM in response to Jtuscan25

Reset your Mac login password…

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/reset-your-mac-login-password-mh35902/mac


If that doesn't work & FileVault isn't on or you have no T1/T2 chip...


You can create a new administrator account by restarting the Setup Assistant:

  1. Boot into Single User Mode: Start/restart your Mac. As soon as you hear the startup tone, press and hold ⌘ + S until you see a black screen with white lettering. (If you end up back on the login screen after a flash of the black screen with white lettering, enter your password and it will return to the black screen.)
  2. Check and repair the drive by typing /sbin/fsck -fy then ↩ enter - as directed by the on-screen text.
  3. Mount the drive as read-write by typing /sbin/mount -uw / then ↩ enter.
  4. Remove the Apple Setup Done file by typing rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone then ↩ enter.
  5. Reboot by typing reboot then ↩ enter.
  6. Complete the setup process, creating a new admin account.


Be very careful to notice the spaces in those Terminal Commands.


Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine, except all your data will stile there. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!


I’m locked out of my I Mac. Need help!

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.