Password for entry into MacBook Pro laptop no longer works

After an OS update last night to Tahoe, the password to get into my screen no longer works. What should I do?


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 26.6

Posted on Sep 1, 2026 4:17 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 1, 2026 4:33 PM

Follow the steps here (carefully, there are many of them with 'If..." so pay attention to the instructions):

If you forgot your Mac login password - Apple Support

 

You may also be able to reset your password from your Apple Account.

https://account.apple.com


2 replies

Sep 2, 2026 2:19 AM in response to sweetjasmine42

If your MacBook Pro was updated to macOS Tahoe 26.6 and the password you normally use is no longer being accepted, the first thing to establish is which password screen you are seeing.


The phrase “get into my screen” is ambiguous. You may be referring to the Lock Screen, the Login window, or another password screen that appears during startup. 


Apple says the Lock Screen and Login window look similar and use the same Mac login password, but the Lock Screen does not provide the password-reset options available at the Login window. (Apple Support)


If you are at the Lock Screen, enter your normal Mac login password and check that Caps Lock is off and that the keyboard is using the expected input language. 


Your Mac login password is not necessarily the same as your Apple Account password. Apple provides instructions for unlocking the Mac from the Lock Screen here: Lock the screen of your Mac — Apple Support


If the password continues to be rejected, Apple recommends restarting the Mac. 


After a restart, the Mac should normally display the Login window, where password-reset options may be available. (Apple Support)


At the Login window, enter your Mac user-account password and look for a question-mark icon or a message offering to reset the password. 


Depending on how the Mac is configured, Apple may offer options such as resetting the password with your Apple Account or a FileVault recovery key. 


If you do not see a reset option immediately, Apple recommends checking again after entering a password up to three times. (Apple Support)


Apple's main guide for this situation is: If you’ve forgotten your Mac login password — Apple Support


If the Login window does not provide a reset option, Apple provides additional password-reset procedures through macOS Recovery. The procedure differs depending on whether your Mac has Apple silicon or an Intel processor. (Apple Support)


I would not choose “Erase Mac” at this point


Apple treats erasing the Mac as a last option when the login password cannot otherwise be reset, and erasing removes the user accounts, passwords, and data from the Mac. (Apple Support)


The safest next step is therefore to identify exactly which screen you are seeing


Relevant Apple resources:


If you’ve forgotten your Mac login password — Apple Support


If your Mac doesn't start up all the way — Apple Support


Lock the screen of your Mac — Apple Support


How to start up from macOS Recovery — Apple Support


FileVault recovery options — Apple Support



Password for entry into MacBook Pro laptop no longer works

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