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.

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

Resetting ID and Password on used iMac running OS 12.5

I’m needing to reset my new (used) iMac ID and password. Anybody help?

Posted on Sep 10, 2023 1:32 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 10, 2023 3:36 PM

Again, if you can't contact the original owner, the only other choice you still may have it to take it to either an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, along with proof of purchase, for them to assist you with this.


Alternately, you can take it back to where you bought it and request a full refund.

11 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 10, 2023 3:36 PM in response to VoiceMan615

Again, if you can't contact the original owner, the only other choice you still may have it to take it to either an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, along with proof of purchase, for them to assist you with this.


Alternately, you can take it back to where you bought it and request a full refund.

Sep 10, 2023 3:16 PM in response to VoiceMan615

An iMac18,1 would be a 21.5" 2017 Intel CPU iMac model.


The following steps would be used to reset the Administrator's account password:

1 - Restart computer and immediately hold Command + r keys

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


-- credit: P. Phillips (ASC)


Ref: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212190

Sep 10, 2023 3:35 PM in response to VoiceMan615

You will not be able to keep any third party apps as they do not belong to you and their licenses likely prohibit transferring them. If these are Apple apps and are paid for apps the same thing applies.


Again, if you were sold the computer with the promise of any third party apps, then return the computer and buy a used Mac from a reputable source such as Macsales.com or buy a genuine Apple refurbished Mac from Apple. Trying to do what you are attempting to do will fail (seen it hundreds of times) so please just do as instructed or you will continue to have a LOT of problems that will never get straightened out!

Sep 10, 2023 4:50 PM in response to rkaufmann87

When I bought it from the previous owner, it only had the standard OS 12.5 on it. No other apps or data. So.. no problems there.


So.. I did the terminal program to reset a password, then initiated my self as a ADMIN user. I still can’t get rid of the previous user’s access.. but I changed him to a “non-admin” user.


at least now, I can log in on my own and change some things.

Resetting ID and Password on used iMac running OS 12.5

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