kokona1

Q: How to locate a user password without changing it? Macbook.

I want to be discrete, how can I locate my Husbands user account password on my macbook? I am the admin on the computer, I know i can reset his password, but I dont want him to know I went into his account. TIA.

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on May 10, 2016 1:58 PM

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Q: How to locate a user password without changing it? Macbook.

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  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman May 10, 2016 3:36 PM in response to kokona1
    Level 6 (15,612 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 10, 2016 3:36 PM in response to kokona1

    There is intentionally no way to reverse the password back to plain text.  Passwords use a function known as a one-way hash, meaning the plain text password is converted into a unique value that intentionally cannot be reversed back to the original plain text value, and the text password itself is not stored.

     

    In other words, you'll have to get the cleartext password through other means — there's no method integrated into OS X to do this, either.


    But for your general query, please check with a local lawyer first — lest you end up being on the wrong end of an accusation of a computer crime and/or involved in a divorce.