Password to install new software on MacBook Pro

Hi. My computer is asking for a password to install new software I put in the password to get into my computer and it doesn’t work. Is it my Apple ID? Thanks!

Posted on Apr 16, 2023 5:01 PM

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Posted on Apr 16, 2023 5:07 PM

It sounds like your computer is asking for your administrator password, which is different from your Apple ID password. The administrator password is used to authenticate system-level changes, such as installing new software, while your Apple ID password is associated with your personal Apple account.

To resolve this issue, try entering the administrator password for your computer. If you don't remember it or you are not the administrator, you may need to ask the person who set up your computer for assistance.

If you've forgotten your administrator password and need to reset it, you can follow these steps:

  1. Turn off your Mac.
  2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold Command (⌘) and R to start up from macOS Recovery.
  3. Once you see the macOS Utilities window, select "Utilities" from the top menu bar, then choose "Terminal."
  4. In Terminal, type "resetpassword" (without quotes) and press Enter.
  5. Close Terminal.
  6. You'll now see the Reset Password utility. Select the user account whose password you want to reset.
  7. Enter the new password, and then enter it again to verify.
  8. Add a password hint (optional), and click "Next" or "Reset Password."
  9. Click "Done" to close the Reset Password utility.
  10. Restart your Mac and log in with your new password.

Remember that resetting your administrator password may result in losing access to some encrypted data, Keychain data, or automatic logins.

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Apr 16, 2023 5:07 PM in response to Pleasehelpmi17

It sounds like your computer is asking for your administrator password, which is different from your Apple ID password. The administrator password is used to authenticate system-level changes, such as installing new software, while your Apple ID password is associated with your personal Apple account.

To resolve this issue, try entering the administrator password for your computer. If you don't remember it or you are not the administrator, you may need to ask the person who set up your computer for assistance.

If you've forgotten your administrator password and need to reset it, you can follow these steps:

  1. Turn off your Mac.
  2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold Command (⌘) and R to start up from macOS Recovery.
  3. Once you see the macOS Utilities window, select "Utilities" from the top menu bar, then choose "Terminal."
  4. In Terminal, type "resetpassword" (without quotes) and press Enter.
  5. Close Terminal.
  6. You'll now see the Reset Password utility. Select the user account whose password you want to reset.
  7. Enter the new password, and then enter it again to verify.
  8. Add a password hint (optional), and click "Next" or "Reset Password."
  9. Click "Done" to close the Reset Password utility.
  10. Restart your Mac and log in with your new password.

Remember that resetting your administrator password may result in losing access to some encrypted data, Keychain data, or automatic logins.

Password to install new software on MacBook Pro

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