Forgot Mac Password? How to Reset Your Mac Password (with or without CD)
So you forgot your Mac password… uh oh. Don’t worry, it happens and you aren’t out of luck. You’ll need to reset the forgotten password and there’s several ways to do this, we’ll focus on the two best methods; one does not require a Mac OS X installer CD and is a great hack, and the other is much more simple if you happen to have a Mac OS X DVD laying around.
Reset Mac Password – without a CD
Using a pretty nifty trick you can reset a forgotten Mac password without a Mac OS X installer CD/DVD. The steps may seem a little intimidating at first but I assure you it’s easy if you follow them exactly, here is exactly how to do this in three stages:
Stage 1) Boot into Single User Mode and remove a setup file
- Restart the Mac holding down the Command+S keys, this will take you into Single User Mode and it’s Terminal interface
- You’ll need to check the filesystem first:
- Next, you must mount the root drive as writeable so that changes will save:
- Now, type the following command exactly, followed by the enter key:
- After removing the applesetupdone file, you need to reboot, type ‘reboot’ and hit enter
fsck -fy
mount -uw /
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
Stage 2) Create a New User Account upon System Boot
You aren’t finished, but the hard part is now over – no more command lines, you’ll now be in the familiar Mac OS X GUI to finish the password reset process. In this step we just create a new user account as if you just got a new Mac:
- Upon reboot, you will be presented with the traditional “Welcome Wizard” startup screen just like when you first get a Mac
- Follow the welcome wizard and create a new user account – making the account name different from the account whose password you want to recover
- Continue on and boot into Mac OS X with this newly created user account, this new user account is an Administrator and has administrative access
Stage 3) Reset the Forgot Password via System Preferences
You are almost done, now you just need to reset the forgotten user account password using the Accounts control panel:
- Once you are booted into Mac OS X, click on the Apple logo and then navigate down to “System Preferences”
- Click on the “Accounts” icon in System Preferences
- Click on the Lock icon in the lower left corner of the “Accounts” preference window and enter the newly created user credentials, this enables you to change other user accounts and reset other users passwords
- On the left side user panel, select the user account containing the forgotten password
- With the user of the forgotten password account selected, click on the “Reset Password” button
- Enter a new password for that user, be sure to include a meaningful hint so you don’t forget it again!
- Close System Preferences and reboot the Mac
- You can now login to the previously inaccessible user account using the newly reset password! All user files and settings are maintained as before the password was forgotten
Optional: If you’d like, you can delete the temporary account you created to reset the users password. This is wise for security purposes.
Here’s how this works: by deleting the .applesetupdone file, you are telling Mac OS X to re-run the setup wizard, which by default creates a new user account with Administrative abilities, which can then reset the forgotten password of any other user on the Mac. This is a great trick and excellent troubleshooting technique if you don’t have a Mac OS X installer CD/DVD laying around, which is pretty much the norm as many people tend to lose or misplace the installer disks that come with their computers. I have used this exact method multiple times to restore various Macs with forgotten/lost passwords.
Reset Mac Password – with the installer CD/DVD
Resetting a forgotten Mac password is easier if you have an installer disk handy, we have covered this tip before on it’s own:
- Boot from the Mac OS X installer disk by inserting it into the Mac and holding down the “C” key on boot
- Select your language preferences and then under the “Utilities” menu select “Password Reset” (it may say “Reset Password” instead, depends on the version of Mac OS X)
- Select the hard disk that the forgotten password is on, then select the username of the forgotten password, you’ll then be asked to select a new password
- Reboot as usual from the hard drive, using your newly reset password as the login!
This is borrowed from our article on how to reset a lost password with a CD. This is obviously an easier method but it’s of no help if you own a MacBook Air with no DVD drive, or if you just don’t have the installer Mac OS CD laying around. If you’re in that situation, the best alternative is to use the above method that does not require a CD to reset the password.
[...] you do not have an installer CD or DVD handy, you can also reset a forgot Mac password using a crafty [...]
No you can not you have to replace the hard drive and start from scratch
This is not true
It works
Try it
it say’s
“no such file or directory”
it happened to me too help
Yeah, maybe if the hdd is bad…but this worked fine for me.
holy f’ing sh*t !!!!!!!!!!
it worked !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man, i just said the same thing. xD
Your a Lifesaver. I would have been in forever detentions if u werent alive
Yes you are a lifesaver. It really does work, I can’t believe my own eyes. THANK YOU.
Thank you!!!
Followed advice and get
override -w—-r– root/wheel for /var/db/.applesetupdone?
What next??
I get the same thing. Did you get it figured out? I tried “yes”, then reboot. Still didn’t work.
idiot you must have done something wrong it worked for me
hi i get this to and i dont whats the next step did u figure it out
I did this and my keyboard won’t work. I hear a “pong” when I try and type (like the registry screens) but nothing is typing – help!!
This is happening to me too… HELP! Pong! Pong! Pong!
Were you able to get your keyboard to work, and to create a new user? How?! Please help.
you need to shut down the computer first. when you reboot, press command and s at the same time right after you turn it back on.
I reached the point of typing in the rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
but when i type it in and hit enter, it says that no file exists. so when i reboot, the welcome wizard does not come up and everything’s the same. why is that?
Hey were you ever able to figure it out?
Type in rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
i got the same thing!! someone please help!! I dont know what to do!
Will resetting your admin erase anything on my computer and I or will everything be safe????
If you would of read carefully then you knew that the answer would be NO – because it deletes your user so it deletes all the files on it too
You should read carefully, the answer to Tim’s question is YES. The steps here do not erase the original account. Deleting the file mentioned only causes the Mac to enter into a “First Boot” mode.
Go through the steps mentioned above and create a new user (and it will have admin rights). After logging in as the new user, the old user acct still exists. Reset the password on that acct and you can log in and all the data will be intact.
Let me restate something, just to be clear: These steps do not erase any data from the Mac. All data will be safe.
Hi I did the above and I am able to get into account but it seems to now have lots of software missing, like advanced photoshop type of software I had here before…can u help please why this is? Thanks
I was trying to work around the password for a friend who lost it, and didn’t know where the install cd was. I even called Apple, and the only advise they could give me, was to take it to an Apple store. These instructions worked perfectly and saved a lot of time!!! Thanks so much!!!
What can I do if command + S keys does not work. I’ve tried over a dozen times and it won’t boot. Help please!!!
Sorry if i insult you as i currently think you may be new to mac. Are you hitting the power button then command S or just command S?
I do not see anything where I can check the filesystem or mount the drive as writable after I click command S.
will this delete all my old info?
One word “AWESOME”. It’s the right thing to do. If u r not an expert in computers or Macs, so you have been messing up your computer and it needs some order back again so it runs like it should and all does files u shouldn’t had move but you did, then this is the best way to go. You will be happy with your “new Mac” and I still have the apps I installed wich is even better. For best practice, follow the instructions to do this from your phone. Oh!! And don’t forget to write somewhere your network connection password, you will be asked to entered it again.
I am new to a mac computer-mine is old and was used by my ex-i want to change the password-but since he is no longer living I do not know the old one-I don’t even know where the command button is-my computer is a mac10.04 can any one help make sense of the instructions?
I tried this on my macbook pro and it doesn’t work – any suggestions?
All that happens is I get back to my home screen, “utilities” doesn’t appear nor ‘language selection’. I tried both methods same result – its about to go out the window and I’m on the 2nd floor.
HELP
When i Press Command+S nothing happens,
Someone Help Me, Please!!
mines either!!
do it wright after the chime
Wow, just tried it, and it worked like a charm. And I had already called Apple tech support, and they didn’t have a clue, had no idea there was this fix.
I did this and was about to click reboot when my computer shut off. Now it will not turn on or connect to the charger
Help me.
Worked Perfectly for me Guys!!! life saver
Yep this works, much to my surprise.
BTW should add my thanks to whoever posted this, forgot my manners.
Would be screwed without this tip.
Brilliant. Worked like a dream. Thank you so much!! x
Let me explain why this works for some and not all.
you have to write it like this
/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /
Then the
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
[...] If you don’t have a CD or DVD handy you can still reset your forgot Mac password. [...]
i forgot my password i even forgot about my mac too!
lol I don,t undersand how you can forget about your mac…
os x daily
how do i delete the applesetupdone file
The no CD technique is really crafty, I haven’t heard of that one before.
Does this mean you can hack into any mac this way by just resetting the password??
Yup, you can prevent that by using FileVault or a boot level password though
So how could you get around that?
reset the motherboard… just unplug the machine for a while and press the power button(hold it on a laptop) and if there is a “clear cmos” button push that…
Does what you just mentioned remove the Firmware Password that someone can place on your computer if they have the Mac OS X Install DVD’s. I heard that you had to change the amount of ram in the computer. For example if there is 2 GB of ram, take one out, then turn the computer on and the Firmware Password would be gone. Then you would put the ram back in. Is what you said an easier way of doing it? Also, could you please be more specific in the process of resetting the cmos. How long do you have to unplug the machine for? Also, do you plug the machine back in then hold the power button or do you do it while it is unplugged then plug it back in to turn it on. Also, I am doing all of this on a recent generation iMac. Please help me out; I would very highly appreciate it. Thanks!
@ Mathias:
Technically, yes. Please use responsibly.
Thanks for the replies! This means I will finally do something to encrypt my data.
at the startup:
1. Cmd-s (boot in SUM)
2. mount -uw /
3. launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
4. cd /var/db/shadow/hash/
5. guid=`dscl . -read /Users/myuser GeneratedUID | awk ‘{print $2}’`
6. cp $guid $guid.old
7. passwd myuser
Changing password for myuser.
New password:******
Retype new password:******
8. reboot
tested on 10.5
one that’s easier to remember than that is
1. cmd-s
2. mount -uw /
3. cd users
4. ls (list the shortnames of all profiles)
5. “shortname” passwd (type the shortname of desired profile — minus the quotations
new password ******
retype password ******
6. reboot
Thanks for saving my bacon. What a relief to know there are people out there who are not as thick-headed as I am!
This is the best solution and the quickest one
Agree this is the easiest and best. BUT got caught on number 5. You need to put passwd shortname – not shortname passwd as I read the instruction at first. So happy it worked and I’m in !!!
I press command+S and doesnt do anything
((((
this is frustrating
Followed directions and hit reboot, now I just get a grey screen and the circle of death, any fixes for that????
Ive got the same thing its been doing it for about a week haha. Did you manage to fix yours?
Does this change the Keychain’s password to the new password?
No, if you change the passwd from CLI
whats the point of setting a password if its this easy to bypass it then?
That password is big joke if that can change so easily! Apple should inform more of this to basic users so they could protect data and files much better!
I agree with other posts. People say Mircosoft has bad security thinking, but this is redicilous. I really hope Apple fix this “bug” asap.
no an apple bug as much as it is a unix feature — can do the same thing to linux boxes. like the others have mentioned the firmware password is the “fix”……..but there’s a work around for that as well
Since Mac OS X Lion is now the OS for new Macs, I decided to try this “hack” out on my iMac. It didn’t work for me. Maybe I’m doing something wrong or maybe Apple changed something, but you could try it out for yourself to see if it can be done to your Mac (if you have Lion of course).
I just tried it out on my mac I bought straight from the apple store, Lion and all, and it worked perfectly. Pretty paranoid now!
I want to have a direct chat with u pls.
If someone can get physical access to your machine, they can get in no matter the platform. Encryption is the solution. Truecrypt for Win, OS X, and Lin. Filevault is OS X only.
Apple did recently hire a heavy-duty security guy. So here’s hoping they lock things down better. But they’re never going to take away the ability to reset the pw if one has physical access to the machine.
Basic user here.
Does using the above simply create a new user account? By that I mean that browser history and passwords would not be accessed? Also what about if particular folders were password protected, could they be accessed??
(In case of Read-only file system) First you have to use this command:
mount -uw /
before you can use:
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
Question #1: This has no effect on the information on the hard-drive does it? (This wont whipe the harddrive clean will it?)
Question #2: Once shes created her new account, i dont think the information from the original one will be there…how would you access it? Or am i wrong entirely? jajaja
*im asking for a friend who is locked out right now hahaha
I should’ve mentioned…she locked out on the Login screen…like the MAIN one you use when you startup the comp or when u bring it back from sleep before you can even see the desktop
Will this still apply?
yes it works fine. just transfer all files from the old user to the new user and you’ll have no problem.
it works because the newly created account is superuser, and can see files from all users on the machine. you just navigate to their directory and copy the files.
your hard drive information will be fine, it doesn’t effect anything except create a new user account.
you can also do this but it might be above your skill level:
1. command-s on boot
2. mount -uw /
3. cd users
4. ls (list the shortnames of all profiles)
5. passwd username (type the username of desired profile)
new password ******
retype password ******
6. reboot
What do you mean by profile? Do you mean Short Name? Also, how would I separate each profile name, would use a comma? Thanks!
Hi Moz,
Your code worked for me, but I have a problem. 1. some of the keys on my board dont work so I have had to be VERY delicate to input your code. It was the only code that actually got some where. 2. the top left hand side of my screen has a big blob, but i can still see alot.
Once I was able to use your code it went back to the same login in screen that I am trying to get away from. I know my password I just can’t type it in because of all the key letters that I need. Help!
Do you just type these steps or what? Will you explain more details please
Thanks a lot
this thing help me alot but i have one question.
does this will erase my all data also?
please give me reply on my email just in case if i don’t find out this web again cause i am searching on google.
again thanks a lot sir
[...] enabled only in the form of a user login and password. If this is the case, you can use methods to reset a forgotten Mac password to get around the user login [...]
Weird. My Macbook running 10.6.4 doesn’t have /var/db/.applesetupdone .
Granted, I didn’t boot into single-user mode, but I did open Terminal and check from there. I even did “sudo bash”, in case it was restricted to root. The file just ain’t there.
I tried to enter rm /var/db/.applesetupdone. My mac then says override rw——- root/wheel for /var/db/.applesetupdone?
What should I type next?
If I use the option 2 with the disk, will I lose the files I have on my computer?
This is what I got too!
Someone please clarify what we should do!
Please
[...] can check out some other articles related to password recovery, including how to reset a forgot Mac password and how to bypass a Mac firmware [...]
I appreciate the help, but after using the no cd method it booted up as if I was setting up the new user account. Thing is, it asks me what language to use. I select English, but it just reloads back to the same language screen over and over. I tried safe boot, it just gray screens with the wheel running forever. Any suggestions?
same problem here. did you get this resolved?
[...] you happen to forget your Mac password, you can reset it through a few different [...]
I am surprised a person can get a shell or command prompt without being prompted for user name and password. Which I am sure could be very easily added as a feature, then what you would do in theory is boot from a usb drive using a temporary ram drive placed on the installed hard drive and an os using the same file system as mac, the os you boot would be modified to read and write from the user information already on the hard drive after you have already booted with administrator on another copy of mac os you would then add change and remove as usual, however if these files were encrypted you would have more trouble, but seeing we know what the files should look like, we could compare and make deductions pragmatically and fairly quick if we are able to recognize where the start and end of a file are and could match them by name, so if we just encrypted the file names and added decryption into the browser retained only during session where the key is entered when you log on, then a successfully logged on user would in theory be able to differentiate file names, where user holds private key and his profile has the public key stored. Seeing the machine loads certain files in a specific order with file names, system files used in the boot would have to remain named correctly, the best thing to do is create your own file system and conversion where you boot and everything you look at is in a way unzipped as you browse. You could really make things confusing by encrypting the directory structure and any type of registry, where when it is decrypted it get placed in a temporary ram disk or (temporary store on hd) so then you stay compatible, with all but detour anyone with a common knowledge of the directory structure, they then will have to attempt to recognize the hd fragmentation in comparison to other drives they have studied…. How to do this not sure, I am still working on distributed session and user management with php considering a high level of information encryption so I figure by the time I get to studying file systems and hard drives more in depth I will be a weary old man who has forgotten why he started, so if you encrypt files that are the same throughout installations, make sure they look like one big clump with a hundred different files un-determinable, like save ten bytes in Florida, ten bytes in Minnesota, 10 bytes in California, ecetera. So yes your right it is almost impossible
you guys make this sound so eazy
yeah’ a big thanks.. my maC will now be fixed…
Tried stage 1 after that nothing happened. can’t get to stage 2, just getting a white screen with the apple logo and the little round circle keeps going and thats it.Please help soon.
hi,
Doing this on a black macbook… After Stage 1 it all seemed to be restarting – but it never made it. I get the apple, the spinning round circle, and then blue. Then grey with a big black square in the centre, only for a moment. Then blue again. Then grey, then blue… and it stays on blue.
I used my install disk from a macbook pro 13″ (more recent, running 10.6, while the macbook in question is running something earlier, .4 or .5) – and ran repair disk – it said it had repaired something. Tried to restart though and same problem occured again.
I have no clue what to do… can’t restart, and continue with Stage 2. Any help hugely appreciated.
This will be a new one for all you whiz’s out there…The situation goes as follows:
Forgotten password for login so:
Entered SUM, Changed password for admin..gained access.
Shutdown mac, Turned back on and Login screen appeared. Attempted to login….No go.
Entered SUM again, Deleted applesetup done, Created new Admin account. Changed passwords, restarted system, attempted login, No GO.
Entered SUM AGAIN!!…enabled root user, changed Passwords for all accounts…Restarted system and you guessed it….STILL cant login to any user account. SO…..Did some research and tried Resetting Login Keychain. Still not able to login after restart.
So I tried resetting the memory upon start up by holding Option Cmd R+P until 4 chimes have sounded. Still not able to login.
So I once again changed the admin password via SUM and downloaded a MAC OS X 10.8 upgrade. Installed to a new Administraor Account and restarted the system. STILL CANT LOGIN!!!!!
I have been sitting on this bloody machine for 4days straight now trying to gain access to it without having to change the password through SUM everytime I login, and It seems that no matter what I do.. The mac just reboots with the old Account login settings once I shut it down and try to restart with a new login.
WHAT AM I MISSING HERE PEOPLE? how can I try all of these things and still not be able to login to my damn computer? LMFAO!!!
To sum it up I’ve tried:
CMD+S
/sbin/mount -uw /
cd db
ls
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone (and) rm ./.AppleSetupDone
reboot
FAIL!!!….
CMD+S
/sbin/mount -uw /
passwd admin
NEW PASSWD
REPEAT NEW PASSWD
exit
login with above^…..shut down>attempt login with above^
FAIL!!!
OPT CMD R+P
Hold until 4 chimes have sounded ( resets memory )
attemp login
FAIL!
Repeated CMD+S admin passwd change and once into comp..reset Keychain…changed passwords for all accounts
Attemped login after restart
FAIL!
SO to sum it up…I can gain access to thee mac through SUM, but no matter what I do once I’m in.. once I shut down the Comp and Turn it back on…I still can’t login to any of the user or Admin accounts. I have even tried enabeling the Automatic login and restarting. Nothing is working.
Does anyone have any suggestions of how I can fix this problem, without having the Discs to restore Factory settings?
i make Stage 1) Boot into Single User Mode and remove a setup file
•Restart the Mac holding down the Command+S keys, this will take you into Single User Mode and it’s Terminal interface
•You’ll need to check the filesystem first:
fsck -fy
•Next, you must mount the root drive as writeable so that changes will save:
mount -uw /
•Now, type the following command exactly, followed by the enter key:
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
but i cant open system preferences why?
Some people should just stick with making an appointment and going to the Genius Bar. Just sayin’
Does it cost money? I don’t have a warranty anymore! and some of my keys on the board don’t work, unless i type carefully.
How can I reset password on Macbook Air..?i also lost the disk
after that i cant in my macbook air
damn stuck at loading very long…still cant in how help me ?
I already sucessfully reset the password, but when i open mail dan safari, the system ask for old login keychain. How can I solve this? Please help.
I didn’t bother reading the comments but once you mount the filesystem type
passwd USERNAMENEEDINGPASSWORD
and it will ask you for the password you want to use
This is how one can break into Linux too. Single User on GRUB+Password change. Nice to see someone found a way to do that trick on Mac. I am new to Mac but a very old Unix/Linux hand…
For those who are having problems here is my experience:
Step 1: Keep rebooting and pressing Command+S till you get to the black terminal. Read Apple’s comment on “keep on trying”:
After typing in rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone make sure the file is really removed by typing
ls -a /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
In my case it did not remove the file.
So I entered:
su
You will see the prompt changing to something else.
Then type again:
mount -uw /
Now try the rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone and it should delete the file. Make sure to check if the file is deleted before typing in reboot.
You saved me and my Mac!!! After long hols I even forgot that I had changed my password…. Instructions are so clear even for a non techy savvy like me
thx again!
if you use the one without a disk, and you have software installed, i have office 2011 on there and i was wondering if it would delete anything because i don’t want to loose anything :0 someone please reply if they know the answer
No its will not delete anything. The whole purpose of deleting the applesetupdone file is to prompt you with a setup wizard screen so that you can create a new Admin account and reset the old acount’s password. Worked for me like a charm. Follow the instructions carefully.
I did this and created a new Admin account, but I can’t find the files from my old admin account (like my itune, iphoto and important excel docs are MIA). How do I now access them with my new Admin account?
You don’t, from the new admin account, you go into system preferences and reset the password for the old account. You don’t use the new account as your primary account.
THANK YOU! You totally saved my butt. Well-written instructions. I’m so happy to have my MB Air back!
[...] menu item that used to be in place prior to OS X 10.7, which was one of two original methods of resetting a Mac OS X 10.6 or prior password. Why the change to the Terminal method? Probably for increased security now that recovery [...]
will doing this with the disk delete old files, for example- songs on itunes?
No, no files are deleted.
thank you! this works perfectly!
Does this method erase all of your documents and photos?
NO. Other comments like yours all get the same answer, so browse the comments before posting.
Worked like a charm on osx lion MacBook Air! Followed Kaushik’s advice to keep checking to see if the .AppleSetupDone was deleted before rebooting. Awesome!
Just want to say “Thank You”! You are awesome. It worked in just as little as five minutes.
After I reboot system sits on grey screen and just spins what am i doing wrong !
i tried command+s didn’t work….please help!
Thanks so much for this – it worked!!
I’m using MacBook Pro 15″ 10.5.08, I’ve tried all the cmnd up here but when I typed in
“….applesetupdone” it says “No such file or directory”
I rebooted it and it brings up
“the mac has been offline for more than two months. As a result this mac has become unusable”
yet in a voice prompt
“help I’m a stolen mac computer, please return me to the rightful owner”
please I need your help, what do I do or how do I restore it back to normal status. I will appreciate your swift response.
I tried following the instructions on resetting password without a cd and it got me to the point of setting the Mac like when it was new. The only problem is it just keeps on going back to registration over and over again. It just won’t log on… Is there any help out there?
Not sure if this will work but go into Single User Mode again, do these commands.
cd /var/db/
touch .applesetupdone
If that doesn’t work, do:
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
cd /var/db/
touch .AppleSetupDone
Will this work on a new MB Pro running Lion? Thanks!
Yes.
[...] you ever forget your administrative password, there are two easy methods to reset the password. One requires the Mac OS X Install CD and the other does [...]
Is this going to delete all my files and work?
I need help! I did that and I just see a grey screen with my mouse! That’s it!
I need help! I did that and I have the set up screen but now my keyboard won’t work and I tried multiple keyboards. Every time I press a key all you hear is a sound.
If I restart my MacBook, because I forgot my password,will all of my pictures and downloads like skype and quicktime be lost? Will I have to re-download all this? I do have the CD so it can be easily done. I’m just scarred it will delete my files.
NO.
[...]All user files and settings are maintained as before the password was forgotten[...]
Love it worked great thank you!!!
To answer a question already answered:
No, neither method will erase any files except for the NOCD method which deletes a single file. This is not a normally used file by the user.
I have a MacBook pro Smith MAC os x 10.6.3 and i forgot The password TO login. I read the info in this blog, but the problem is that I have to press “alt” when I turn the computer on, so I can pick the Mac os drive instead of the windows drive. And after I do to this, if I press cmd+s it doesn’t do anything. Please help.
Had to do this because I bought a corporate used Macbook off Ebay that included no disk or password…worked like a charm…and I know nothing of script.
[...] you keep that disc with your computer and your computer is stolen, a thief can just as easily change your master password of the administrator giving them access to all your [...]
I’m using the metode with a CD and i got a little bit of a problem here, I restarted the Mac by pressing the off button, and holded the C-key, as told. But the screen is now just blue (after the rs) and it seems like nothing is ever going to happen here, so my question is, how do i solve this problem and is it dangerous to do a new restart after i did it once and pressed C ?
Okay, so NVM people, i figured it out, but still, i didn’t figured it out, I restarted it again, and the screen is still just blue? it seems like it doesn’t reed the CD or something… Any suggestions of what i should do?
Okay, so I’ve tried this option, and on reboot it asks for a software key to redo the setup. am I missing something here? I acquired my machine from an out of business ISP. Apple won’t support it because it’s in the VINTAGE era. It’s a G4 Xserve. If I had the install CD, this really wouldn’t be an issue, but I don’t.
I’ve had this machine for awhile and hadn’t booted it up, so I never thought about it. Now that I need it, I can’t even get into it other than in Single User Mode.
Anyone have some extra ideas?
Thanks!
my administrator account stays logged in, so when i turn my computer on, it goes straight in. the problem is that i cannot download any softward becasue there is a password on the account. and i cant access it, i got my macbook OSX from my aunt that died and have no way to recover the password. do i have to log out of the account and then shut off the computer? i tried the method and it didnt work for me so i was wondering if i need to just log out THEN shut down the computer and restart the process? please i need this done ASAP!!
Thank’s a lot! It was a life saver!
Excellent work. I rescued my old Mac Mini with your help.
Thank You very much!
You saved my life.
Thanks heaps, very helpful & well written instructions
will this erase any of the files on my mac? please help thanks
I did, and all my files gone, Please help Thanks
Hey,
I am at the moment still not able to solve this problem. I forgot my initial admin password and have successfully set up a new admin with another name and a password i remember. However, my system is set up so that i automatically log in to the admin account whose password i forgot which is useful cuz it has all my stuff. Is there a way to change my original admin password via the admin rights of the second admin i made?
It is suggested to do so via ‘system preferences’ and then change password but even if i log into the second admin i cannot change the password from the first login (maybe because i am at the time logged into that first admin as well). Is there a way around this???
Thanks
This tip worked great. I acquired a Mac from someone but had no CDs with it and was able to erase everything from the previous owner and start from scratch. Thanks!
Saved my life!!! Thank you!!!!
This was brilliant, thanks so much for posting!
You can also make a usb drive into a copy of the disc if you have an air. Borrow a friends computer to make it.
This worked great for my college daughter and now I am a HERO!! Thanks
have no idea what happened but my mac just doesn’t let me to log in . tried your suggestions but Cmd S doesn’t work on y Mac 10.6.4. don’t know why
Plz help , people
I had to press applekey+s multiple times at boot. Just holding it did not work. Furthermore for me just mount -auw worked. mount -uw did not remove all write restrictions.
That was cool!!!!! Thank you for posting! Saved me a lot of headache
what version did you use while booting/resetting your mac? mac os x? version 10.6.4?
I typed “exit” instead or “reboot” after issuing the commands, and was brought to the grey boot screen. After 15 minutes I manually powered down and tried to reboot. But I’m still getting hung up at this grey boot screen.
Help, anyone?
Boot into safe mode and see what happens, or boot from Lion Recovery HD by holding down Command+R
Thanks for the reply Dou.
I ended up unplugging the unit from the wall and waiting for awhile, then plugged back in and booted up. I don’t know if my logic was correct, but it worked! I got past the grey screen and was able to finish the rest of the guide successfully.
(typing this from the MacPro in question…yay!)
you can change the password without cancel install folder.. You can use passwd after remount filesystem for change root password and then you can use su “username” for log as user and use passwd for change personal password.
Fanatastic. I was able to change password with no problems following instructions.
Thank you.
cmd+s isnt rebooting plz help me…this was a ray of hope…but ain’t working!!!awaiting your reply
one thing i noticed is that once you’re in terminal mode, the first command:
fsck -fy
takes a long time to execute. You’ll have to wait (at least I had to) until you get “the volume (whatever your hard disk is named) appears to be OK.” And the rest of your directions worked perfectly.
To everyone who asked this question: Will it wipe out my hard drive? Read through the threads! The answer is NO!
Please friends I really need help I just brought a new MacBook Air 13inch and my password doesnt work Im locked out on the Login screen…the main first screen just after you wake it up.
The problem is I dont even get to the desktop and Holding COMMAND & S doesnt do anything
Id appreciate any advice
Nice! Thanks buddy!
it worked thks
Tried to use the install disk and when ask to select a disk the only disk it showed was the install CD, no Mac HD was listed.
So I used the rm .AppleSetupDone method and it worked great!
Thanks
Well like magic !!!!
How do you bypass if its firmware locked??
please I’m having a problem like some of the commenters here.
i do everything as going to the single user mode and run the commands but when the machine is asked to reboot with the ”shutdown -r now” command, the grey screen doe snot take me to the screen where i have to setup the account to logon. can someone help me please. i have this problem and now this is the second day that it is happening. i have very important work but i dont know when this can be resolved. i see some people here have done it without a hitch and surprisingly i have done the same thing but mine wont work.
So what screen do you end up at?
the grey one with with the around circle spinning as if something is happening in the background and ofcourse the apple logo. from there it does nothing. i left the machine on the all night thinking it will work in the morning for me to proceed to the screen where i can use the new account(administrator)
the grey one with with the around circle spinning as if something is happening in the background and ofcourse the apple logo. from there it does nothing. i left the machine on the all night thinking it will work in the morning for me to proceed to the screen where i can use the new account(administrator)
Thanks! Worked like a charm!!
Thank you VERY much !!
I had my Pro back up drive connected to a new Mac mini during first time set up and it just grabbed my PRO user name, ( w/o asking me! ) but NOT my actual password.
Saved me lots of driving, thanks again.
Thank you so much! This worked perfectly!
Thank you so much for this, I left my installer CD in the US where I bought my Macbook pro from.
thanks very much
really
I completed the first step.
I got the wizard screen as you would on the very first start up.
However I can’t type in ANY of the fields.
I tried restarting the Mac and repeating step 1.
Again the same problem…
I can’t type on any of the 5 keyboards I hooked up to the Mac.
PLEASE HELP!!!
Were you able to fix this problem? I can’t type either!! I’m going insane. I just get the PONG! sound. Please, help. I’M DESPERATE.
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for creating this post.
My landlord found a mac book pro in the middle of the road this morning, and thanks to this post, I was able to bypass the main log in screen in an attempt to find out who owned the laptop.
Access to the laptop provided a name found on a photo; a Google name search lead to a YouTube video, which in turn lead to a former employer.
A couple of phone calls later, I was able to connect with the owner and return her laptop.
Thanks again, this information was a big help in finding the laptop owner, and couldn’t have been done without it.
Brilliant, I really appreciate the help, this worked great. many thanks
Hey if you can some how disable the s key on boot up you can’t access the root mode,is this possible ?
please help me loll D;
Holly F…ing Crap… I could kiss you silly right now. I can believe I got this to work!!! Thank you soooo much!!!
I could kiss you silly right now. I can believe I got this to work!!! Thank you soooo much!!!
i done stage 1 and 2 sucesfuly.but in the end , after registration, new window come “create your account” i fill all the fields but i m unable to add a photo.on the right side “select a picture from the list above” there is no list.plz sum body help md.
need to know how to reset master password on a apple computer desktop mac os 9.1
does it erase all of your pictures and files and etc
thank you.
Ive gotten to the screen where it says “Finishing Up” with the multi-touch gestures, but it wont let me click “Start using Mac OS X Lion.” Can anyone help me out?
I followed the instructions to reset my Mac password without a CD, when I get to the final step to reset the password of the administrator it takes me through the process then comes up with the message reset password failed. What can I do to remedy this problem I’m having?
Can anyone PLEASE tell me how to delete the admin account I just created..
From another admin account. Go to Users & Accounts, select the account, press the minus button.
Lifesaver! Can’t thank you enough!!! cheers!!
buddy u have saved me n my mac…………
thanks a lot………..
Thanks! It worked perfectly!!!
Followed the steps thru Stage 2. I created a new user account. But instead of logging on, it goes right back to the beginning of the account setup. I setup an account over and over again without going anywhere. If someone has an idea of what may be wrong, please let me know.
Works great, thank you!
Does this erase all my files?
Hello,
I am trying to do this on my Mac os x 10.7.4, but as soon as I check the filesystem I get this:
Clares-MacBook-Pro:~ claregrogan$ fsck -fy
** /dev/rdisk0s2 (NO WRITE)
Can’t open /dev/rdisk0s2: Permission denied
/dev/rdisk0s2 (hfs) EXITED WITH SIGNAL 8
Clares-MacBook-Pro:~ claregrogan$
Can you please help me, I’m a basic mac user!
Best Regards,
Clare
Type this first:
mount -uw /
then type:
fsck -fy
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your reply! Unfortunately I still got
Last login: Tue May 15 12:39:59 on console
Clares-MacBook-Pro:~ claregrogan$ mount -uw /
GetMasterBlock: Error 13 opening /dev/rdisk0s2
mount_hfs: Operation not permitted
Clares-MacBook-Pro:~ claregrogan$
Any more Ideas?
Best Regards,
Clare
Does this work in a MAC OX S? VERSION 10.6.4?
I did step one but when i go to step tow the computer doesn’t give me wizered set it return me to the same screen
I Did this thing and after
rm /ver/db/.applesetupdone
it’s say that this file not exsist…
what i did wrong?
/ver isnt a directory, /var is
syntax is everything
It worked!!
You are a genious!!!
Thank you very much
Ugggghhhh I don’t understand any of it!
never mind! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You saved my life! (And my macbook air)
thanks very muck you’re the best
Man it doesn’t work it shows no such a file applesetupdone
what should i do
DOES THS MEAN EVERYTHING ON MY COMPUTER WILL BE ERASED AFTER I DO THIS…?
After typing rm /var/db/.applesetupdone it continues saying “No such file or directory” then makes me type it again.. What do I do???
me too
I tried 3 times with whole steps as above
i buy a new macbook pro md313 . but i didn’t lock it any more. it requires a password to make changes to my preferences or requires a password to install software.
can i do something else without reseting my password ??
actualy im afraid of doing this.
i cant get command + s to work !
Thank you. My father really should have paid more attention when setting this up at the Apple store!
This was very easy and straightforward, even without a disc.
I have done the back to factory standard reboot apple set up done thing but now my keyboard won’t work for me to input my username, password etc. how can I fix this.
This worked awesome!!! Don’t be intimidated by the terminal portion, it is super simple and works on pretty well any Mac THANK YOU!!!
I am so happy~~~~~~~ just follow everything and type in the stuff in shadow and follow the steps and everything shall be DONE~~~~~
Hey!
Ok so I have the CD but nothing happens when I restart holding command C ?! Help!!!
Fantastic used the method without CD worked perfectly… thank you!!!
Got the set up wizard part done, however system preferences and a number of other applications on the dock appear as question marks and do not open. Can anyone help me fix this ?
Ive just done this and it works perfectly
Im am not very good at computers and it took about 5 minutes
Thanks
Forgot the password to a MacBook I haven’t used in 3 years….followed your instructions and WOW I was able to get in and fix it….THANK YOU SO MUCH……
Awesome! Thank you!
Hi – did anyone resolve the problem with the keyboard not responding? It would really help to have an answer for this issue.
Thank you for saving access to my Macbook. One Wookie is very happy, and we were able to retrieve the plans to the Death Star.
Thanks so much.
Life saver. New MBP shipped with Lion, while the iMac we migrated from (with Migration Assistant) was running Mountain Lion. Account imports fine, but password is dead as a doornail.
Thanks very much for posting this simple workaround!
thanks you; this a miracle
) keep up the good work, god bless.
after filling new user account name and password, it doesnt go ahead.right side of this window, “select a picture from the list” and there is no any list.admin plz help me plz.
You are Super man…. Thank you so much
How do I reset my mac pc box password
Oh sweet baby Jesus, it worked!!! Thank your ever so much for helping me. You have no idea how much of a lifesaver you are. I will always be grateful for your help. You are a genius xxx
Thank you very much! Your instruction is simple and it worked like a charm.
if i do it with the cd installer to reset my password , does that mean that all my data pics videos documents etc … will erase ????
I tried this on my iMac (OS v10.4.1) and after following each step, my iMac will not start up unless I unplug and plug the power cable back in. The display on screen is completely black (nothing shows at all, nor do any lights start up). I can hear the fan working when it’s plugged in but I can not turn the computer off unless I unplug it? Do you have any idea why this has occurred?
thanks very much
I did what it said and it did work. However now the new user (which is also an admin) pops up first. It also shows that my new account is the main admin and my previous was the other account now. How do I get rid of the new account so I can just deal with my old account now?
How do I find the filesystem?
Where can I find the filesystem???
Hi! after writing applesetupdone.. it asks me applesetupdone?
<hat do I have to do before step2 pleeease!!
Thank you so much, I was able to reset my password! How do I delete the new user I created and leave my old one? When I start up my computer it boots up to the new user which is no big issue…. I just have to log out and back into the old user account. Do I type in the commands
fsck -fy
mount -uw /
rm /var/db/
And leave out the .applesetupdone ?
Thanks so much for you help!
Never mind…. Got it, duh! Lol thanks so much for your help! Amazing!!!!
Thanks! My mom really needed some remedial help.
Thank you, i’m able to login to my apple right now.. phew
So, I forgot my password a few days ago and followed the above steps in order to get back into my computer. They worked, and I can now access my account again; however, a lot of the apps no longer work, like photobooth or ms word. Does anyone know what I might have done and if there is any way to fix it? Thank you!
I’m actually quite surprised i didn’t botch that and have to call in my IT brother. Thanks so much for this help!
does anyone know if this works on a macbook air with lion
Tried it. Worked perfectly on macbook air osx lion. Thanks so much!
THIS DID NOT WORK FOR ME. I typed in every thing correctly and it rebooted. Then as its powering up, it had a loading looking bar. It seemed like it got to about 10% and then cut off, when I turn it back on, it does the same thing. PLEASE HELP!!! Now, my computer won’t get past that point and simply isn’t working anymore.
Thank you OS X Daily -_-
Reboot and follow the instructions here, it works.
http://osxdaily.com/2010/08/10/forgot-mac-password-how-to-reset-mac-password/
Would my file be lost after i reboot?
excellent tip, saved my bacon!
Hi
Thanks for the tip – it certainly works.
Unfortunately, you fail to point out that it also wipes the computer of all files and settings, so I have lost a whole load of work and all my email and contact settings too. Thanks for that.
Perhaps you should consider this sort of thing before giving advice – however effective it may be.
Marc
But it does work, and it did NOT wipe out al the settings or files! Those are still stored on the computer under the original user name that i forgot the password to, so you should re-check that Marc!
god bless you,hurra hurra
I did this and now I get the spinning circle, no sound and it eventually shuts down. I found my OS disc but it won’t let me repair the disk. I have some very sentimental pictures on there, can anyone help??
Thanks Much. Worked for me just like butter.
All the old accounts remain intact & could able to reset their password. Thanks again
This is useful indeed. And it is also a huge big humongous security flaw….. granted: one has to have physical access to the machine, but once it is stolen…………
This worked great, thank you very much!
Thanks! This worked perfectly.
It worked! Thanks!
thanks man,,that really helped..
i did everything and it says applesetupdone. read only filesystem?
Hi i have followed the instructions to the letter, as soon as i click to create a user account, it suddenly pauses after 1 – 2 seconds then repeats the whole brand new set-up cycle again with video and everything. I now effectively have a macbook air that is in a permanent loop!
Please help!!!
thnx………pfff
At first it didn’t work, but after 3 tries, it did……..
I followed these steps and am transferring files from my old mac. It has been hung up for 2 hours on “transferring your network settings. Less than a minute remaining”. The firewire cable is still connected and everything. What to do?
I have put the disc in but it has been on a black screen with white writing for ages and I’ve been pressing ‘c’ for ages or esc or eject but nothing is happening, this is on a MacBook Pro, what do Ido?
Thank you for the help this was brilliant (beginner)
This bricked my Mac after typing
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
What should I do now?
UPDATE*Solution for – rm /var/db/.applesetupdone Bricking.
1) Take out battery and put it back in.
2) Hold power button for 15seconds.
3) Close the lid then plug power cord.
4) Mac boots up after a few minutes on it’s own.
This worked up until the point where I had to enter rm /var/db/.applesetupdone. My MacBook told me that no such file or directory exists. Please help.
WORKED GREAT!
THANK YOU.
It worked marvelous!
Thank you, this solution saved me a lot of time and I´ve won the recognition of my team at the office.
Hi. It worked! But when I try to change the password for the old account, it says “reset password failed” and “CSSM_ERRCODE_MEMORY_ERROR”. Any suggestions please?
So, I’ve tried both ways and when I tried without the disk the Command+S didn’t work and when I tried with the disk holding down “C” didn’t work either. Do I actually have to hit install again or am I supposed to just hold “C” down when you put the disk in. I feel like I might have misread the instructions, I’m really confused, any advice?
WTF!!!! You’re so good man!!!! You save my career! Thanks alot!
Worked perfectly. Making me look good for boys. Thanks do much!
My girlfriend changed her username so it had a peace symbol in it and then she couldn’t log on. This method worked for me.
Thanks!
Do you lose all your work and music?
Good job! It sure helped me!
Followed you instructions to the letter and it worked first time and only took a few minutes.
Thank you sooooooooo much for this information
Pfew! Thank you so much x
how can i recover all my old data please help:””’(
HI,
this worked. thank you very much. Great tutorial!
I am a complete amateur on this subject but I did find a way for this to work.
This is a great guide but I think that the language in the steps can cause a bit of confusion. The first time round in single user mode I didn’t type in “fsck -fy” or “mount -uw /”. This caused the following prompt to appear: “override -w—-r– root/wheel for /var/db/.applesetupdone?”. When this came up I typed in “exit”, which canceled the prompt, and then I typed “reboot” which restarted my mac. When my system turned on again nothing had changed.
The second time around I did the following in single user mode:
1. type in “fsck -fy”, press enter and wait for “:/ root# ” to appear.
2. type in “mount -uw /”, press enter and wait for “:/ root# ” to appear.
3. type in “rm /var/db/.applesetupdone” press enter and wait for “:/ root# ” to appear.
4. type in “reboot” and wait for system to restart.
When my system turned on the welcome wizard had launched and I followed steps 2 & 3. I created my admin account and then granted admin for my old account. Success!
THANK YOU SO MUCH. You saved me from so much grief!
Ive tried this and it is not working. Can anyone maybe give me more specific instructions?
Man U are d best. It worked like magic. Thanks man.
Thank you!!! This completely worked! –don’t forget to type ” reboot ” at the end. I almost missed that the tutorial said that.
This worked for me in terms of it creating a whole new account on the Mac. But omg now there are certain things missing – Like Safari the Internet browser. Would anyone please be able to help me with this? I can’t afford to bring this into a shop and I’m so upset that this happened.
I would be so greatful if anyone could offer advice on how I might be able to fix this.
Thank you!
I went through this to create a new account and reset a password without a cd. It worked, but now my bookmarks are gone!
There is not library/safari or library/firefox folder with a Bookmarks.plist on my hard disk or on my time machine backup.
I googled and did not see this mentioned anywhere. Can anybody help?
I figured it out. My mac(os 10.6.8) was logging me in under the new User Account which had no setup or bookmarks, etc. I have no login (password) when I power up so I did not know it logged me in under an admin account. I found the “change default login” under Account Preferences and changed this back to the original admin account. Bingo- my setup was all back!
worked fast and flawlessly. ( just a side issue that it asks for keychain pass. when i input the pass for the old problem acct, it does not accept it. but you know what, everything else works except keychain.) thank you people that pioneer these hacks and work-arounds. so good the way you guide us where the cosporates fail to support us. thanks!
Perfect, thanks!
Great help. Thanks!
Wow.
I just got a request to remove a local password on a MAC and I am surprised that it is that easy (using a MAC installer CD).
And I though Windows would be unsecured
Anyhow. In that case I am glad it is the way it is.
Hopefully it still works with the latest Version .
Thanks for the manual.
kind regards
edit: I assume the user won’t lose any data?
(Never touched a MAC before to be honest)
Brilliant
thanks to the person who made this.. it works in 5 minutes i am done…
p.s.
u will not loose any data.. purpose of this is you are creating another user with admin rights that will enable you to reset the old account.
tried Single User mode pwd reset
This worked like a breeze for me
tnx!
Everything worked wonderfully. The only issue is that after I logged in with new password it asked about the updating the keychain with the old password. What to do?
Update the keychain with the Admin password
it keeps saying no such file or directory when i type in rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
LOVED it… After trying many other webs this finally worked. Thank you so much.
10.8.3 OS X MacBook Pro. Worked well for me.
fsck -fy
mount -uw /
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
With one exception, obviously Home file is different, I have no log in icon, iPhone, iPad ect will not sync.. All programs think its a fresh install like user. I’m unable to delete “Super User”.
Also iTunes, iPhoto, everything gone. Any advise would be appreciated greatly. Oh, I took it to a friend and her created another Jon Doe, I know all PW and I honestly just wanted to see how it worked. I’m almost done reading C+ prog book, great book just not done or have executed many terminal commands. So frustrating I’ve noticed through Directory Utility jay•••35 short name which is original wheel, super user, my group ID used to be 403. Now I have 2 nested groups but can’t log in at all have to go through Jon Doe.
Forgot to mention, I know it’s 101 but I’ve never backed up untill now. To top it off my son locked his iPad, which will not synce to mbp. I can reboot but don’t want to start fresh in his iPad either. Any help would be a life saver. I have FV2 codes for 10.7 and 10.8 as well not sure if that will help..
[...] manager. Because of this, this is not a solution for retrieving forgotten Mac login passwords (go here for that instead) or other login information that isn’t specifically for a web site or service. [...]