Administrator Password
How do I set a new Administrator password for my Apple Mac? I have forgotten the old one and have kept no record of it.
iMac 27″, macOS 10.15
You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!
When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.
When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.
How do I set a new Administrator password for my Apple Mac? I have forgotten the old one and have kept no record of it.
iMac 27″, macOS 10.15
Reset Computer Password for the Administrator Account Password
Intel Computer
1 - Shutdown the computer
1A - Restart computer and immediately hold the two keyboard combo Command r
1B - If using a Bluetooth Keyboard with Rechargeable Battery - Cable the Keyboard to computer for this unique purpose. Bluetooth Kernel may not load soon enough to execute the 2 keyboard commands
2 - Top Tool Bar >> Utilities >> Terminal
3 - Type resetpassword as one word and no spaces
4 - Press Return key
5 - Follow the prompts and remember the New Password
Apple Silicon M1 / M2 Computer
1 - Choose Apple menu > > Shut Down.
2- Do not attempt a Restart to access this feature. The computer Must be Shutdown and pause for about 10 seconds before moving forwards
3 - Press and hold the power button on your Mac until you see “Loading startup options.”
4 - Click Options, then click Continue.
5 - Top Tool Bar >> Utilities >> Terminal
6 - Type resetpassword as one word and no spaces
7 - Press Return key
8 - Follow the prompts and remember the New Password
Reset Computer Password for the Administrator Account Password
Intel Computer
1 - Shutdown the computer
1A - Restart computer and immediately hold the two keyboard combo Command r
1B - If using a Bluetooth Keyboard with Rechargeable Battery - Cable the Keyboard to computer for this unique purpose. Bluetooth Kernel may not load soon enough to execute the 2 keyboard commands
2 - Top Tool Bar >> Utilities >> Terminal
3 - Type resetpassword as one word and no spaces
4 - Press Return key
5 - Follow the prompts and remember the New Password
Apple Silicon M1 / M2 Computer
1 - Choose Apple menu > > Shut Down.
2- Do not attempt a Restart to access this feature. The computer Must be Shutdown and pause for about 10 seconds before moving forwards
3 - Press and hold the power button on your Mac until you see “Loading startup options.”
4 - Click Options, then click Continue.
5 - Top Tool Bar >> Utilities >> Terminal
6 - Type resetpassword as one word and no spaces
7 - Press Return key
8 - Follow the prompts and remember the New Password
Unfortunately not able to change Administrator password. Instructions wouldn't work on my iMac (it is circa late 2013, with 3.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 processor running macOS Catalina v.10.15.7). Any further advice would be much appreciated.
What was the " Exact Wording " of the error message presented when the user " Type resetpassword as one word and no spaces "
FYI - I used used the above method on a circa 2011 Intel Mac Mini running macOS 10.13 High Sierra
It did work as designed to work
Go figure
Administrator Password