How do I change my account password in Mac OS X?

How do i change my password on my Mac OS X system, Dave? I looked when I was logging in and didn't see any sort of button or configuration option!

Dave's Answer:

This is an easy task once you know where Apple stores this sort of data. To change your account password, you need to go to the "Apple menu" and choose System Preferences..., then click on the Accounts button. You'll see this:

You should be able to click on "Change Password" directly, but if you can't get to your account or the change password option is grayed out or unclickable, you'll need to "unlock" or verify your administrative access capabilities by clicking on the little padlock on the lower left and typing in your administrative password (the password to the admin account, not necessarily your current account). It'll look like this:

Mac OS X: System Preferences: Accounts: Admin authentication password

Once you've unlocked it, click on "Change Password" and you'll see this:

Mac OS X: System Preferences: Accounts: Change Password

Enter your existing password for verification, enter your new password twice, and add a hint if you'd like.

Done!

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Categorized: Mac OS X Help (Article 5986, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: account password, change password, mac os x
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Reader Comments To Date: 61

Ras said, on February 26, 2006 10:40 PM:

I think the real Question should be:

How can you change "Short Name" of your account (it is "tylor" in the figure) ?

It is easy to change your account's user name and passwords, but not your "short name"

Dave Taylor said, on February 27, 2006 9:55 AM:

Generally, you don't want to change your short name, especially if it's the admin account.

restv22 said, on September 26, 2006 6:36 PM:

But that still doesn't answer the question on how you change it

Dave Taylor said, on September 26, 2006 10:30 PM:

Um, the illustrated steps above *does* change the admin password. The key is to change the account password for the admin account and you're done! :-)

Jim said, on October 11, 2006 6:17 PM:

Hi Dave
My hard drive crashed I did a reinstall, but now my computer
doesn't recognize me?
Help!
thanks jim

mptrav said, on November 26, 2006 10:44 PM:

I have not opened my laptop for a few months. It is a titanium running OS 10.4. It is asking me for the password to unlock the FileVault which I do not remember. How can I get into my computer without losing my info? Actually I do not ever remember having to put this in before.
Please help. Desperate.

Diana said, on December 2, 2006 12:22 PM:

Hi Dave!
I'm so glad to have found you!! I just purchased a used iBook G4 and I can't change the admin password. I tried the initial reinstallation of the Mac OS X software, but it asks for the password when I hit the restart button. It won't even begin to reinstall w/out the admin password.
The account is under "John Does". Thanks so much for your help.

Dave said, on February 27, 2007 9:08 PM:

I was wondering I forgot my admin root password I went into single user mode and then i made a new account with admin priv. and then i was able to get on again but i dont remember setting up a filevault i dont know if this was done because the system went into sleep mode or if it was turned off by me shutting the computer screen. I was wondering is there a way to unlock my filevault if i dont know the password anymore? If so how and where?
Thanks

Liam said, on March 29, 2007 6:35 PM:

I cant login to my mac os x desktop because I forgot my admin password. Its a 1999 version and Aplle. com or any mac 1800 # wont supply me with info. Please help.

Andy said, on March 30, 2007 5:59 AM:

When I originally set up this iMac I did so with NO password, now it is asking for one, and not very happy when I leave the field blank... got any tips?

david said, on April 2, 2007 1:51 PM:

yo nigga

Dee said, on April 10, 2007 1:14 PM:

I have a feeble-minded mother who will never remember a password, and happens to be the admin on her mac osx. I need to know how to change an admin password to blank on panther. thanks!

Sylvia Spingler said, on May 3, 2007 9:17 AM:

how_do_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_root_password.html

detail - settings for my iBook were done in Florida-now am in NY and can't change the phone# - can't remember admins password to be able to do this- he and I have tried every combination of our passwords - no go.

Zach said, on May 29, 2007 7:08 PM:

Hi Dave

Do you have a list of instructions on how to change the short name on an admin account?

I heard it's a lengthy process? So since I just bought the laptop should I just do a complete reinstall instead? And if so can you send me the instructions on how to do that as well?

Thanks

Zach

prak said, on July 20, 2007 11:59 PM:

hai
i have one mac os x laptop that i didnt use for a long time and i fogot my password ,how to start the computer please help me

MAS said, on August 22, 2007 8:46 PM:

I just purchased a used iBook G4 and I can't change the admin password. I tried the initial reinstallation of the Mac OS X software, but it asks for the password when I hit the restart button. It won't even begin to reinstall w/out the admin password.

PLEASE HELP.
THANKS

joe said, on September 7, 2007 8:32 AM:

who could change the account password or make a new account without password

Javier Meza said, on October 17, 2007 10:04 PM:

I was wondering I forgot my admin root password I went into single user mode and then i made a new account with admin priv. and then i was able to get on again but i dont remember setting up a filevault i dont know if this was done because the system went into sleep mode or if it was turned off by me shutting the computer screen. I was wondering is there a way to unlock my filevault if i dont know the password anymore? If so how and where?
Thanks

ryan said, on October 27, 2007 8:23 PM:

I bought a used apple computer with mac osx on it. I dont have any disks to it and want to change out old users password. How can I do this without using a disk, if at all possible?

glenn fleming said, on November 1, 2007 2:20 AM:

Hi Dave

I messed up - I can't find or remember my password for my G5. How do I change it? My support told me to re-install and hold down the 'C' button - which disk do I use?! I'm running OSX

Hope you can help me.

Glenn

Jane said, on January 16, 2008 8:21 PM:

HI Dave,
Setting up my first new Mac and had to install Leopard over the existing Tiger . Set up a sole user account which shows standard user and therefore will not allow me to be system administrator. This should have been automatic but I understand this is a problem when setup is done as described above. I am unable to load any software or install the printer as all require the admin password. I have see a couple of complicated resolutions posted online but am hesitant to try on this new system and am looking for simple directions.
Thanks, Jane

Karin said, on March 17, 2008 2:34 AM:

Dave,how glad we are to find your site. New to this G4 we find our outgoing mail address arrives as Root Admin.
It then appears on my friends Emails as ROOT so they have no clue who it is from and may junk rather than open.
How do we delete Root Admin from the address?
Thanks for your help.

Karin said, on March 17, 2008 5:01 AM:

How do I delete "ROOT ADMIN" from my email address as they arrive as ROOT which my friends think is junk?

thomas said, on April 7, 2008 4:23 AM:

Hi Dave...I have a imac laptop notebook and when i first got it i guess somehow i forgot my admin name and password, and ive tried the whole reinstall with the mac osx install disc but when i try to click on the restart button it askes me for the admin password? any advice would be great...

Ali3N said, on April 25, 2008 7:13 AM:

"When I originally set up this iMac I did so with NO password, now it is asking for one, and not very happy when I leave the field blank... got any tips?"
Rats! that's the ecxact same thing that has happened to me,after a new install of Leopard.
What gives?

Jayakanthan said, on June 26, 2008 4:57 PM:

I forgot admin password for my LCD Tyle mac os x. I dont have CD for it . Is there any way to change my password. Please Help.

yousif said, on December 6, 2008 12:15 PM:

hey how are you guys i fdont know my account passord in mac and i need to change bu i dont remember my old one

Rebecca said, on February 10, 2009 7:20 AM:

GREAT HELP!!!!!!!!

charla boyett said, on February 25, 2009 8:54 AM:

hi, i am having trouble sending out email on my mac account but can receive it. hughes (my internet provider) and mac both are unwilling ot help me any advice?

mike said, on March 19, 2009 1:26 PM:

Hi Dave...I have a Mac laptop and i forgot my admin password, and ive tried the whole reinstall with the mac osx install disc but that didi not work. What can I do without reformatting the hard drive?

lee w.mendenhall said, on April 12, 2009 7:55 AM:

I HAD CANCELED EVERYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH YAHOO. AND YOU ARE STILL TAKEING MONEY OUT OF MY ACOUNT . NOW IF YOU DO NOT PUT THE PAYMENT BACK IN MY ACOUNT ,I WILL BEFORCED TO FILE FORGERY CHARGES A GENCED YAHOO. BECAUSE I HAD CANCELED EVERY THING THAT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH YAHOO.... LEE MENDENHALL PS, I EVEN CALLED AND THEY TOLED ME THAT NO MORE WOULD BE TAKEN OUD OF MY ACOUNT . THANK YOU...

Amanda said, on July 11, 2009 2:52 PM:

I have a Mac, is not new it was already used and I do not have the password... I would like to know how to change the administrator password without losing all of the information I already have in my Mac. I do not have the install disc.. how can I do this???help!!!

alex vega said, on September 26, 2009 2:28 AM:

Ibought I mac os9 for my kids. But we don't know the old password. It seems like that's the only way . Please help!

jef wallace said, on October 16, 2009 7:02 PM:

What if you don't know the OLD password for the user ? I had an employee leave and I don't know her password

dan said, on January 27, 2010 7:59 PM:

Hi Dave, I have just bought a ibook 2002 and upon start up there is a system log in and password, both of which i don't know, what do i do next.

thanks

Dave Taylor said, on January 29, 2010 9:30 PM:

Jef and Dan, you really need the system install DVD so you can sidestep a reinstall and reset the system password. Failing that, take it into an Apple replace place (or the Apple Store), along with some proof that you're the legal owner of the unit, and ask them to assist. If they say "we need to wipe it and start over", don't let them, it's an easy five minute fix.

jacquie said, on February 8, 2010 4:52 PM:

Hi, the same thing happened to me except my user account is set as standard, not as administrator...and there is no administrator account or password, and i am unable to make any changes on my computer. I really need some help, i have to Mac OSX restoring CD, but i cannot even restore, because it requires the user name and password.

elizabeth said, on March 17, 2010 7:18 AM:

How do i activate a password on a visitor account i set up on mac osx that my daughter uses. i have a password for the admin a/c but can't activate it too include the other account

Sandy said, on March 20, 2010 4:03 PM:

This answer does not help at all if you cannot remember your original password. That is what I can't remember

Terry said, on April 20, 2010 2:00 PM:

i need to know how to reset my user account password..... i forgot it that fast.... please help...

BJ said, on June 23, 2010 2:57 PM:

My Imac G3 10.2.8 only comes up when I hit apple command, and I hold down the S at the same time.
It then asks for the localhost: root #, and I don't knoew what that means. It is my computer.
thanks...bjb

Azahabu said, on August 2, 2010 5:12 AM:

This is an invaluable site for me. I want to thank you from my heart for being there to help me about my computer related issues.

Thank you all and wish you all, all good health and THE BEST in your lives.

beinser said, on September 22, 2010 9:31 PM:

need to know how to reset my user account password..... i forgot it that fast.... please help.

Eddie said, on December 18, 2010 2:37 AM:

Thanks for your website and help. I was able to reset my root password (using OS X install disc) and login as system administrator, but when I went to Accounts in System Prefs, it still shows System Administrator as a Standard account.
I checked the box: "Allow User to Administer This Computer" and then a dialog box appears stating, "For this change to take effect, you must log out then log in again." Did that and no change - still a Standard account. Tried to create a new admin account, but it doesn't work. How can I fix this?

Luis said, on February 25, 2011 12:31 PM:

hello there. i have a problem to get into my apple desk computer. it is asking me password than i forgot and i did more than 3 time. how i can start or open my computer. even its ok if i will lose my documents inside. please send me email as soon as u can . thanks alot HELLO FROM Philly.

dan said, on March 14, 2011 12:05 PM:

I am trying to help a friend gain access to an ibbok os x laptop without a user name and password. Any help with this? Thanks, Dan

Mike said, on April 17, 2011 8:58 AM:

Hi!My brother passed away and he had an old IBook and I was using it find for a few days last night I shut it down like normal and this morning it opened in sleep mode and its asking for a password before I can log in which I don't know. Please help! Thank you!!

lynda gavin said, on April 30, 2011 9:38 AM:

i bought a used mac mac os x i dont have a password HELP

Bob said, on June 14, 2011 7:53 AM:

I bought a used IBook at a garage sale and don't have the login password. Can you help? Thanks, Bob.

mayra ruiz said, on August 8, 2011 8:41 PM:

hey i have a question..... i forgot my password from my imac and now im trying to reset it with the disc and to be able to reset it i have to restart it but it requires my password and i dont remember it so what do i do ?????? help me

wagner said, on August 10, 2011 11:45 AM:

hey Eddie I've the same problem.. "Thanks for your website and help. I was able to reset my root password (using OS X install disc) and login as system administrator, but when I went to Accounts in System Prefs, it still shows System Administrator as a Standard account.
I checked the box: "Allow User to Administer This Computer" and then a dialog box appears stating, "For this change to take effect, you must log out then log in again." Did that and no change - still a Standard account. Tried to create a new admin account, but it doesn't work. How can I fix this?"

zack said, on August 13, 2011 3:59 PM:

Hi, I just bought an old iBook w/ OS X 10.4.11 at a yardsale. I would like to make it my own but have no password info. How can I change the amin. password so I can do what I want to do?

Thanks a Bunch

zack said, on August 13, 2011 4:04 PM:

I have no admin. password to unlock the padlock so I can change the password.

Deano said, on August 30, 2011 11:39 AM:

Hi, i've done the dumbest thing ever i quickly change my password for mac log in but now iv for gotten it :( so i can't log in no more and have Uni work to hand in im buggered. Is there anyway to fix this i tried command + s to bring up the terminal it didn't bring it up and i have osx cd so what can i do? please help

durga said, on October 1, 2011 4:11 AM:

i have ibook the compact book , but i forget password , how to reset the administrator password , pleasee help me ..........mobile no : 9001059999

abdez said, on December 27, 2011 2:09 PM:

hai
am using ibook mac os x and i accidently spilt some water on the keybord but i dried and turnd off imediatly. I tried to turn on after two days and evrythng is ok bt key m and the space bar are nt workn and i cant write ma passward coz of ths key m. Pliz help coz i lost the cd.

shauna said, on January 7, 2012 4:33 PM:

i've managed to forget my password to get into my desktop (which has all sorts of important files) and i need to get onto it as soon as possible PLEASE HELP! i just need to change it without logging on

julio said, on January 30, 2012 2:23 PM:

hi my girlfriend got a mac from her brother and she forgot the password now she can not log on and her brother does not remember he said that he has never logged off so he never used it
hope you guys can help me

paula said, on February 8, 2012 12:31 AM:

I have my daughters mac 10.5 and she can't remember her password, so i need to change it, can you help me please when I went to change it, It keeps asking me for the original password??? Can't get past it. Fustrating
Would appreciate a solution thanks

charlene said, on June 9, 2012 6:02 PM:

how do i change my password if i forgot my old password

LEILA said, on October 14, 2012 12:03 AM:

I have forgot my password in my macbookpro labtop
and i can not reset it i need your help

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I change my account password in Mac OS X?

Reader Comments To Date: 61

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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