User profile for user: LMarysB
LMarysB Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Password (account) not working after migration on new mac

I had opened my new mac computer with no problem entering the new mac computer initially. Then after updating the software identical to my mac book air, I started the migration process from my mac book air to my new mac computer, starting by migrating my account. After that process I was asked to put in my password on the new mac computer. Unfortunately I can't enter the mac computer any more because the password (the same for both my mac book air and my new Mac computer ) is not working . I have tried to write in qwerty and azerty keyboard style but nothing seems to solve the issue , as if the password is incorrect, which seems very unlikely. How can I solve this issue; I am completely stuck and don't know how solve this strange issue.

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Jan 11, 2024 7:27 PM

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User profile for user: LMarysB
LMarysB Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Posted on Jan 12, 2024 3:51 AM

OMG I think I managed to get through the issue. I followed these steps:

Use the Reset Password assistant

You should now see the utilities window, which shows options such as restoring from Time Machine, reinstalling macOS, and using Disk Utility.

  1. From the Utilities menu in the menu bar, choose Terminal.
  2. In the Terminal window, type resetpassword, then press Return to open the Reset Password assistant.
  3. If you're asked to select an admin user you know the password for, click “Forgot all passwords?”.
  4. At the Reset Password window, click Deactivate Mac, then click Deactivate to confirm.
  5. If you see an Activation Lock window, enter your Apple ID email and password, then click Next.
  6. At the Reset Password window, enter your new password information, then click Next. (If this window shows multiple user accounts, click the Set Password button next to each account name, then enter the new password information for each account.)
  7. When the password reset is completed, click Exit.
  8. Choose Apple menu  > Restart, then log in with your new password.


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User profile for user: LMarysB
LMarysB Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Jan 12, 2024 3:51 AM in response to LMarysB

OMG I think I managed to get through the issue. I followed these steps:

Use the Reset Password assistant

You should now see the utilities window, which shows options such as restoring from Time Machine, reinstalling macOS, and using Disk Utility.

  1. From the Utilities menu in the menu bar, choose Terminal.
  2. In the Terminal window, type resetpassword, then press Return to open the Reset Password assistant.
  3. If you're asked to select an admin user you know the password for, click “Forgot all passwords?”.
  4. At the Reset Password window, click Deactivate Mac, then click Deactivate to confirm.
  5. If you see an Activation Lock window, enter your Apple ID email and password, then click Next.
  6. At the Reset Password window, enter your new password information, then click Next. (If this window shows multiple user accounts, click the Set Password button next to each account name, then enter the new password information for each account.)
  7. When the password reset is completed, click Exit.
  8. Choose Apple menu  > Restart, then log in with your new password.


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User profile for user: rkaufmann87
rkaufmann87
User level: Level 10
149,068 points

Jan 11, 2024 10:56 PM in response to LMarysB

You should have followed the process below however it sounds like you did not. You can re-do your migration if you want to by doing an erase and install of Mac OS and then following the steps below. However before you go to that trouble try If you forgot your Mac login password.


When you buy a new Mac the easiest, quickest and most reliable method to migrate from the old Mac to the new Mac is to simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. You will likely need a USB A to USB C adapter, you can find them on Amazon for $10 or less. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes  and follow the on-screen prompts and it's done! It is THAT simple.

 

If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts. 

 

The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into.

 

Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps), data files & settings. They do not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated. As long as you kept the security keys for installing their apps, it is not an issue. 

 

Finally, never EVER use Wi-Fi when doing Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant. Why, it simply fails in most cases. Please read and follow the directions in Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant. If you do not have a Time Machine backup of the older Mac then create one! If you are not aware of Time Machine, please read Back up your Mac with Time Machine and finally if you need an External Hard Disk to use as a Time Machine External Hard Disk then many experience users on these forums prefer the OWC Mercury Elite Pro due to it's reasonable price, high level of quality and ease of use. 


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User profile for user: LMarysB
LMarysB Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Jan 12, 2024 3:32 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Dear rkaufmann87

Thank you for your response!

I did follow the steps as you describe, regarding SA and then secondly MA. The only thing I did different (wrong) is that did them through Wifi. I was not aware that through wifi this would likely lead to issues. In my case the log-in password is not working anymore... so weird.


Also, thank you for sharing the information regarding adobe and microsoft apps, that's helpful to be aware of.


Now, on my iMac log-in screen I do not have the possibility to reset my password unfortunately. Unless you have an alternative solution for the password that doesn't work, could you please inform me how to erase and reinstall my new iMac?

When I press the power button for 5 seconds it brings me to the 'startup options'. I then see on the screen the choice between 'macintosh HD' and 'options'. Not sure what the steps are from here.

When I click on 'Macintosh HD' it restarts the computer and I get stuck again on the first next step of logging-in and the password not working, with no options of resetting the password or logging in with i-cloud. So I assume I would need to choose 'Options'. When I go to 'options', the next step asks me to select a user , which I did and then my password works. I then see four options : Restore from time machine, reinstall MacOs, Safari, or Disk Utility.

How do I go forward from here? I prefer to ask as I am scared to make a mistake in this process... :(


Thanks sooo much for your help.


Kind regards, Marys


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Password (account) not working after migration on new mac

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