How to reset Mac ID
September 1, 2024 9:05 AM Subscribe
My partner forgot/lost his Mac ID and now cannot access his mac. Touchscreen is enabled but requires the ID. Apple support is not helpful; we've tried everything short of reinstalling OS which seems very drastic for such a simple thing. Is there a simple way that Apple Support doesn't provide? Note this is for the Mac ID not the Apple ID, which I can figure out (and he has that written down so no need to change anyway). Aside: I am so shocked that there isn't a simple "forgot password" functionality.
There is no such thing as a “Mac ID” so it would be helpful to explain exactly what you are seeing onscreen and what you are doing.
The Mac default username is “First Last” with a short username of “firstlast”.
There is a password reset feature on MacOS.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 9:16 AM on September 1, 2024 [1 favorite]
The Mac default username is “First Last” with a short username of “firstlast”.
There is a password reset feature on MacOS.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 9:16 AM on September 1, 2024 [1 favorite]
You are using a phrase not common. There is the "Apple ID" which provides access to online services such as Music, and the login password which you enter when you restart the computer. If by "Mac ID" you mean his password for his computer, then Apple documents the process of resetting the password at this article
posted by blob at 9:16 AM on September 1, 2024
posted by blob at 9:16 AM on September 1, 2024
Also, did you mean “Touch ID” when you wrote “touchscreen”?
posted by soylent00FF00 at 9:21 AM on September 1, 2024
posted by soylent00FF00 at 9:21 AM on September 1, 2024
Response by poster: Yes, I followed those instructions but I am not getting any of the options they mention, with the next step being reinstalling the OS which I don't feel comfortable doing. Sorry for not using the correct terms. It's the Mac login password (I have the user name) which is required to access my partners mac (all macs, I think). By touchscreen I meant the functionality where you can touch the button in the upper right to access without the password. Thanks for feedback so far.
posted by j810c at 9:45 AM on September 1, 2024
posted by j810c at 9:45 AM on September 1, 2024
Response by poster: Where can I access "There is a password reset feature on MacOS."? On my mac? I can't access his at all without the Mac login password.
posted by j810c at 9:46 AM on September 1, 2024
posted by j810c at 9:46 AM on September 1, 2024
I think you are referring to the password used to unlock a laptop?
You can reset your Mac password with Apple ID:
Start your MacBook and wait for the login screen to load.
Select the question mark icon next to the password field.
Click the arrow icon next to “Reset it using your Apple ID.”
Enter your Apple ID and password.
Click “Next.”
You will be prompted to reset your Mac password. Create a new password for your device and select “Restart.”
posted by ananci at 9:47 AM on September 1, 2024 [2 favorites]
You can reset your Mac password with Apple ID:
Start your MacBook and wait for the login screen to load.
Select the question mark icon next to the password field.
Click the arrow icon next to “Reset it using your Apple ID.”
Enter your Apple ID and password.
Click “Next.”
You will be prompted to reset your Mac password. Create a new password for your device and select “Restart.”
posted by ananci at 9:47 AM on September 1, 2024 [2 favorites]
Yes, I followed those instructions but I am not getting any of the options they mention
Do you happen to know what version of MacOS it's running? Older versions of MacOS don't offer the same password reset options, which everyone hated, which is why they do offer the options now.
If it's running an older version you may indeed have to upgrade the OS.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:06 AM on September 1, 2024
Do you happen to know what version of MacOS it's running? Older versions of MacOS don't offer the same password reset options, which everyone hated, which is why they do offer the options now.
If it's running an older version you may indeed have to upgrade the OS.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:06 AM on September 1, 2024
Response by poster: Running Monterey. So maybe that's it - I need to install Sonoma? If anyone has pointers on how tp do that, that would be appreciated. Thanks Tell Me No Lies for that tip.
"Start your MacBook and wait for the login screen to load.
Select the question mark icon next to the password field.
Click the arrow icon next to “Reset it using your Apple ID.”
I don't get this or any other options like this. I have Shut it down and restarted and held the start button until I get the options - but all of the options are so complex: Restore time machine, Reinstall macOS Monterey, Safari (browse aple support which doesn't help), Disk Utility.
posted by j810c at 10:14 AM on September 1, 2024
"Start your MacBook and wait for the login screen to load.
Select the question mark icon next to the password field.
Click the arrow icon next to “Reset it using your Apple ID.”
I don't get this or any other options like this. I have Shut it down and restarted and held the start button until I get the options - but all of the options are so complex: Restore time machine, Reinstall macOS Monterey, Safari (browse aple support which doesn't help), Disk Utility.
posted by j810c at 10:14 AM on September 1, 2024
Best answer: You do not need to update the OS. If you weren’t offered the option to reset the Mac password using their AppleID, then they probably didn’t set that feature up and upgrading the OS won’t change that.
However, there has been a "resetpassword" command in all versions of the OS back at least as far as 2011.
Here’s a pretty clear support page for how to reset the password in Monterey. If you’ve already gotten to that list of options that say things like “Restore Time Machine” etc then you’re already at Step 2 on the list and can proceed from there.
Doing a hard reset on the password like this is not a win-win situation. It will reset the user’s Keychain, aka the place where all their other linked passwords are stored. So they will have to redo a lot of things like logging back into email accounts, logging back into anything they had stored the password to in Safari, etc...It will be a little messy for a while!
posted by bcwinters at 10:27 AM on September 1, 2024 [4 favorites]
However, there has been a "resetpassword" command in all versions of the OS back at least as far as 2011.
Here’s a pretty clear support page for how to reset the password in Monterey. If you’ve already gotten to that list of options that say things like “Restore Time Machine” etc then you’re already at Step 2 on the list and can proceed from there.
Doing a hard reset on the password like this is not a win-win situation. It will reset the user’s Keychain, aka the place where all their other linked passwords are stored. So they will have to redo a lot of things like logging back into email accounts, logging back into anything they had stored the password to in Safari, etc...It will be a little messy for a while!
posted by bcwinters at 10:27 AM on September 1, 2024 [4 favorites]
Running Monterey.
Hmm. Monterey should have the new system.
In your shoes I would reinstall Monterey. No reason to toss a new macOS into the mix.
(simple thing, but you don't mention trying to enter a password three times before clicking the question mark)
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:28 AM on September 1, 2024
Hmm. Monterey should have the new system.
In your shoes I would reinstall Monterey. No reason to toss a new macOS into the mix.
(simple thing, but you don't mention trying to enter a password three times before clicking the question mark)
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:28 AM on September 1, 2024
Never mind, I'm pretty sure bcwinters has it.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:30 AM on September 1, 2024
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:30 AM on September 1, 2024
> I have Shut it down and restarted and held the start button until I get the options - but all of the options are so complex: Restore time machine, Reinstall macOS Monterey, Safari (browse aple support which doesn't help), Disk Utility.
That sounds like you're just holding the power button until it comes up with the recovery option. I think that bypasses the reset options others are pointing you to.
Shut it down and let it boot up normally (don't hold the button, just press once) and I think the reset option is on the normal login screen.
posted by Awfki at 10:36 AM on September 1, 2024
That sounds like you're just holding the power button until it comes up with the recovery option. I think that bypasses the reset options others are pointing you to.
Shut it down and let it boot up normally (don't hold the button, just press once) and I think the reset option is on the normal login screen.
posted by Awfki at 10:36 AM on September 1, 2024
Response by poster: bcwinters has it - Thank You! This worked. I am so grateful for your clear instructions. And thanks everyone else too. Re: bypassing other options: there were no other options; I can't explain why not, but apple support suggested holding the power button down for other recovery options. Yes, tried various password guesses more than 3 times, still no other options.
posted by j810c at 10:42 AM on September 1, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by j810c at 10:42 AM on September 1, 2024 [1 favorite]
It turns out that resetting the password using your Apple ID requires a knob you have to turn on. If you go into the users and groups settings panel and click on the user, you will see the option. You may want to turn it on to make life easier in the future.
I’m surprised the Apple instructions aren’t much clearer on this point.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:15 AM on September 1, 2024 [2 favorites]
I’m surprised the Apple instructions aren’t much clearer on this point.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:15 AM on September 1, 2024 [2 favorites]
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posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:16 AM on September 1, 2024 [1 favorite]