How to Recover Password on Mac Desktop

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Forgetting passwords can be frustrating, especially when you have important documents or files stored on your Mac desktop. Fortunately, Mac desktops offer various methods for recovery. In this blog post, we will discuss several methods for recovering passwords on Mac desktops and provide step-by-step tutorials on how to perform them. Whether you’ve forgotten your login password or your keychain password, read on to find the solution that works best for you.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before we jump into the methods for password recovery, we need to make sure you have the necessary tools at hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Another Mac computer with access to the internet (optional)
  • A bootable USB drive or DVD
  • Access to the Terminal app on your Mac desktop

What Requires Your Focus?

It’s important to stay focused and calm when recovering passwords on Mac desktops. Make sure to follow the steps carefully and double-check your inputs to avoid any mistakes. Additionally, it’s recommended to take a break if you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.

Different Methods to Recover Password on Mac Desktop

Method 1: Using another Mac computer

If you have another Mac computer with access to the internet, you can use it to directly reset your forgotten password. Here’s how to do it:

  1. On the other Mac computer, go to the Apple support page and download the macOS Recovery Disk Assistant.
  2. Connect your USB drive or DVD to the other Mac computer and launch the Recovery Disk Assistant.
  3. Follow the Recovery Disk Assistant’s prompts to create a bootable USB drive or DVD.
  4. Insert the bootable USB drive or DVD into your Mac desktop and restart it.
  5. Hold down the Option key while your Mac desktop is restarting to boot it from the USB drive or DVD.
  6. Once you see the macOS Utilities screen, select "Utilities" from the menu bar and click on "Terminal."
  7. Type "resetpassword" in the Terminal and press Enter.
  8. Follow the prompts to reset your password.
  9. Once you’ve reset your password, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "Restart."
  10. Remove the bootable USB drive or DVD and log in to your Mac desktop with the new password you’ve just set.

Pros:

  • Doesn’t require any previous technical knowledge or experience with Mac desktops.

Cons:

  • You need access to another Mac computer.
  • Creates a new keychain, which means you’ll lose access to your previous saved keychain items.

Method 2: Using Apple ID

If you have linked your Apple ID to your Mac desktop, you can use it to reset your password. Here’s how to do it:

  1. On your Mac desktop, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "Restart."
  2. Hold down the Command + R keys while your Mac desktop is restarting to enter Recovery mode.
  3. When prompted, enter your Apple ID and password.
  4. Select "Reset Password" from the "Utilities" menu.
  5. Follow the prompts to create a new password.
  6. Once you’ve reset your password, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "Restart."
  7. Log in to your Mac desktop with the new password you’ve just set.

Pros:

  • Easy and straightforward if you have linked your Apple ID to your Mac desktop.

Cons:

  • Requires a stable internet connection.
  • You need to have linked your Apple ID to your Mac desktop beforehand.

Method 3: Using FileVault Recovery Key

If you have enabled FileVault on your Mac desktop before forgetting your password, you can use the FileVault recovery key to reset your password. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Enter any random password three times in the login window to see the "Reset Password" option.
  2. Click on "Reset Password" and you’ll see a prompt asking you for your FileVault recovery key.
  3. Enter your FileVault recovery key and follow the prompts to create a new password.
  4. Once you’ve reset your password, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "Restart."
  5. Log in to your Mac desktop with the new password you’ve just set.

Pros:

  • Doesn’t require access to another Mac computer or the internet.
  • Uses the FileVault recovery key, which is specifically designed for password recovery purposes.

Cons:

  • You need to have enabled FileVault and noted down your recovery key beforehand.
  • Creates a new keychain, which means you’ll lose access to your previous saved keychain items.

Why Can’t I Recover Password on Mac Desktop?

While password recovery on Mac desktops is generally straightforward, there are several reasons why you may encounter issues. Here are some common reasons and their fixes:

  • You can’t reset your password because your Mac desktop is encrypted with a firmware password: In this case, you’ll need to enter your firmware password before you can reset your login password. If you don’t remember your firmware password, you’ll need to contact Apple Support for assistance.
  • You can’t see the "Reset Password" option when booting your Mac desktop: This may happen if you’ve upgraded to macOS Catalina or later. In this case, you’ll need to use the Terminal app or another method to reset your password.
  • You can’t reset your password because the Terminal app doesn’t recognize your administrator account: This may happen if you’ve changed your administrator account’s username. In this case, you’ll need to use a different administrator account or a different method for password recovery.

Implications and Recommendations

It’s crucial to keep your passwords safe and secure to avoid any unauthorized access to your digital life. We recommend regularly updating your passwords and storing them in a secure password manager. Additionally, it’s essential to note down your FileVault recovery key and store it in a secure location separate from your Mac desktop.

5 FAQs about Recovering Password on Mac Desktop

Q1: How do I enter Recovery mode on my Mac desktop?

A: Restart your Mac desktop and hold down the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo.

Q2: Can I recover my keychain items after resetting my password?

A: No, resetting your password creates a new keychain, which means you’ll lose access to your previous saved keychain items.

Q3: Can I use a non-Apple USB drive or DVD to create a bootable drive using the macOS Recovery Disk Assistant?

A: No, the macOS Recovery Disk Assistant only works with Apple USB drives or DVDs.

Q4: Can I recover my password through the iCloud website?

A: No, you can only reset your password through a Mac computer or the internet recovery mode.

Q5: What should I do if I don’t have access to my FileVault recovery key?

A: Unfortunately, there’s no way to recover your FileVault recovery key if you’ve lost it. You’ll need to perform a clean install of macOS and set up your Mac desktop from scratch.

Final Words

Forgetting passwords can be a frustrating experience, but with the right tools and methods, password recovery on Mac desktops is generally straightforward. Be sure to follow the steps carefully and note down your FileVault recovery key in a secure location to avoid any issues in the future.