after Big Sur update, main login fails (happened with last update but needs new fix)

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after Big Sur update, main login fails (happened with last update but needs new fix)

Yesterday I installed Big Sur. when I choose my main account and put in my password, it processes for a minute and then comes back to the login screen. When I choose my secondary account, everything works fine.

With the last major OS X update the same thing happened but I discovered that I could login to the secondary account, log out, and then login to the main account. After incremental upgrades that issue went away so I forgot all about it.

Most of my data is backed up but there are a few things in the main account that I'd like to retrieve - right now I just want to be able to get into my main account to backup that data.

Thanks

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 23, 2020 12:31 PM

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Answer 1

ab52 Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 1, 2020 3:42 PM in response to raina_b22

Hi - I did try safe mode, which didn't help, but I have some additional information.

I was planning to buy a new MBP 13" anyway so I made the plunge, and then I tried to migrate my accounts using Migration Assistant. The data was transferred, but so was the error. At that point, I had 2 MBPs running BigSur and couldn't log in to the main account on either one. I spent a couple of hours with Apple Support on the phone and ended up creating a new admin account and deleting the main account, so I had a working machine but no access to my data. Then I got the idea to connect to the old machine to the new one via a USB-C to USB-A cable, and used my old admin account info on the new one. I was then able to pull data over to the new one manually! I found all the latest data from my desktop, music, pictures, etc. Now, the only thing I haven't found is my email data on the old machine. I know there are some hidden files, but I haven't been able to find them using this remote-access hack. If anyone can help me figure out where the old email data is stored and how I can access it, that would be great (iCal data would save me time, too). Once I get the email data I'll be able to completely wipe the old machine and give it to my son.

TIA for any ideas on recovering that email.

Adrian

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Answer 2

raina_b22

Community Specialist

Dec 1, 2020 2:48 PM in response to ab52

Hi ab52,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. We understand you're unable to sign into your user account on your Mac. We're happy to provide some information to help.

You've already done some great testing by confirming you're able to sign into another user account. We'd also like to have you restart in safe mode and then test if you're able to sign into your main account. You can find the steps for restarting in safe mode here: Start up your Mac in safe mode

If you're able to sign in while in safe mode, try removing login items and then testing again. See how here: Remove login items to resolve startup problem on your Mac

Thanks.

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after Big Sur update, main login fails (happened with last update but needs new fix)

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