My password isn’t working and I cannot reset it in recovery mode. What can I do?

Hi Eetasam,

Thanks for clarifying that.

On the Recovery Assistant screen, there should be an option underneath your user account: "Forgot All Passwords?". If that option appears, click on it.

• If your Mac doesn't have the T2 or M1 chip, or if Activation Lock is disabled, you'll be prompted to reset your user account password. This will only succeed if you have your FileVault recovery key available, or if your recovery key is linked to your Apple ID.
• If Activation Lock is enabled, you'll be prompted to authenticate with your Apple ID to continue. You should then be able to access the utilities, including Terminal.

Thanks for posting the screenshot.

A few additional questions that can help:

EDIT: Do you have your FileVault recovery key available? Or did you associate it with your Apple ID?

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• Your Mac has the T2 Security Chip, which denies booting from external media by default. Did you previously change this setting to allow booting from external media?
• Do you have a second Mac available? What year and model is it?
• Are you able to boot into macOS Internet Recovery using Shift-Option-Command-R? If yes, what version of macOS does it offer to install?
• Do you have a Time Machine backup available?

Hi Eetasam,

Thanks for the details.

Just to clarify, are you stuck on the "Recovery Assistant" app? (It appears before the Utilities window if FileVault and/or Activation Lock is enabled.) If yes, what particular screen are you seeing when it appears?