Mac Air Setup Assistant asks for admin name and password that don't exist

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Level 1

4 points

Mac Air Setup Assistant asks for admin name and password that don't exist

Using Setup Assistant for a Mac Air (2025) that I bought new directly from Apple, using iPhone 17 Pro as the source, is asking for administrator's name and password but I just opened this Mac Air and haven't set anything up. My Apple ID doesn't work, which I figured it wouldn't.

I initially attempted to setup using my old MacBook Pro (2020) but it wasn't compatible because the MacBook Pro has the new operating system (Tahoe 26.1) and the new Mac Air won't update the OS without setting up a profile, which I can't presumably do without entering the administrator's User Name and Password, which hasn't been created yet. I don't want to have to go the route of creating a new profile.

Note: The Setup Assistant video and written description available from Apple doesn't include this step. Not sure if what I'm experiencing is a bug.

Posted on Dec 6, 2025 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

jrinman90 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 6, 2025 11:21 AM in response to KiltedTim

Yes, I first attempted to transfer from my old Mac, but ran into the OS incompatability issue so then attempted "Set up with iPhone or iPad". The "Quickly Set Up Mac" page appears, I open my phone and position the pattern, the Accessibility screen pops up and I click "Not Now", then that password screen appears.

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Answer 2

KiltedTim

Level 10

224,652 points

Dec 6, 2025 11:04 AM in response to jrinman90

Your post isn't entirely clear.

Did you attempt to start setting it up using migration assistant to transfer from your old Mac?

What do you mean when you say you're using your phone as the "source"?

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