Forgot your Mac password? Reset it the official way

Why it happens

Your Mac's login password protects everything on it, so there's no way around it without proving it's yours. macOS gives you a few safe routes back in: your Apple Account, your FileVault recovery key, or another administrator on the same Mac. Which ones you see depends on how your Mac was set up.

How to fix it

1. First, rule out a typing problem. Check Caps Lock is off, and look at the keyboard menu at the top right of the login window in case a different keyboard layout is selected. If you set a password hint, it appears after a few wrong tries.

2. Keep trying until a question mark appears next to the password field. If a countdown appears instead, wait for it to end. Click the question mark, then click Restart and show password reset options. On some versions of macOS the option says reset it using your Apple Account, or Apple ID on older ones.

   Login window›Question mark›Restart and show password reset options

3. Your Mac restarts into the password reset screen. Sign in with your Apple Account, or type your FileVault recovery key if you're asked for it. Pick your user account and choose a new password.

4. Restart and log in with the new password. If your Mac says it couldn't unlock your login keychain, choose Create New Keychain. Passwords saved in iCloud Keychain come back once you're signed in to iCloud.

The login window steps are the same on macOS 26 and 27. If another administrator resets your password, the button in Users & Groups is Reset Password… on macOS 26 and Reset… next to Password on macOS 27.

Still not fixed?

1. If the question mark or reset option never appears, start up in macOS Recovery. On a Mac with Apple silicon, shut down, hold the power button until you see Loading startup options, click Options, then Continue. On an Intel Mac, hold Command-R as it starts.

2. In Recovery, if you're asked to select a user you know the password for, click Forgot all passwords? and follow the reset steps.

3. If someone else on the Mac has an administrator account, they can reset your password for you. They log in, open Users & Groups, click the info button next to your name and choose Reset Password… (on macOS 27, Reset… next to Password).

   macOS 26 Tahoe Users & Groups›ⓘ›Reset Password…

   macOS 27 Golden Gate Users & Groups›ⓘ›Reset…

4. If the Mac belongs to a school or company, ask its IT team. They often manage the password and can reset it for you.

5. If none of these work, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store with your proof of purchase. They can't look up your password, but they'll go through your options. Erasing the Mac is the last resort and removes your data unless you have a backup.