It is a good security practice to change your Mac Passwords periodically.
A Mac User Password is the password associated with a user account on a Mac computer. It is used to log in, install software, change system settings, and perform administrative tasks.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What are the types of Mac Passwords?
Login (Mac User) Password: The password you use to sign in to your Mac.
Administrator Password: Required for making system changes, installing apps, or managing other users. (Can be the same as your Login Password)
Apple Account (ID) Password: Used for iCloud, App Store, and Apple services (separate from your Mac login password).
Firmware Password (optional): Adds security by preventing unauthorized booting from external drives.
FileVault Password (optional): Apple’s disk encryption feature that secures the entire contents of your Mac’s startup disk, protecting your data from unauthorized access. (Usually the same as your Login Password)
Screen Time Password (optional): a four-digit code used to control and manage Screen Time settings on a Mac, iPhone, or iPad. It prevents unauthorized changes to app limits, content restrictions, and privacy settings.
What are the differences between a Login Password (User) and an Administrator Password (Admin) and how should I choose which to use?
Feature
Login (User) Password
Administrator (Admin) Password
Purpose
Used to log in and access personal files.
Used for system-wide changes, installing apps, and managing other users.
Privileges
Limited to personal account settings and files.
Full control over system settings, software installations, and user management.
System Changes
Cannot modify system settings that affect all users.
Can change security settings, create/delete users, and modify system files.
Software Installation
Cannot install apps that require admin approval.
Can install, update, and remove apps that require system permissions.
Required for FileVault
Needed to unlock the Mac if FileVault is enabled.
Needed for enabling/disabling FileVault encryption.
Which Should You Use?
If you own the Mac or need full control, use an administrator account with an admin password.
If multiple people use the Mac, it’s best to have one admin account for system management and separate user accounts with standard (non-admin) passwords for daily use.
For better security, use a standard account for everyday activities and keep an admin account separate for system changes. This reduces the risk of malware or accidental system modifications.
How Do I change a Login Password on a Mac?
Open System Settings (Apple menu > System Settings).Go to Users & Groups.Select your user account.Click Change Password.Enter your current password, then type and confirm your new password.Click Change Password to save.
An Administrator on a Mac can change another user’s Login Password (including a standard user or another admin) without knowing their current password. Here’s how:
How to Change Another User’s Login Password from an Admin Account:
Log in to the Administrator account.
Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu > System Settings.
Go to “Users & Groups”.
Select the user account whose password you want to change.
Click “Reset Password”.
Enter a new password and confirm it.
Click Change Password to save.
✅ The user can now log in with the new password, but they may lose access to some Keychain-stored passwords if they don’t remember the old one.
💡 Tip: If the user had important passwords saved in their Keychain, they may need to reset the Keychain when they log in.
How Do I change an Administrator Password on a Mac?
Go to System Settings: Click the Apple menu > System Settings.
Select “Users & Groups” from the sidebar.
Click Your Admin Account and select Change Password.
Enter Your Current Password, then type and confirm the new password.
Click Change Password to save the update.
✅ Your administrator password is now updated!
A standard (non-admin) usercannot change an Administrator password on a Mac. Only an Administrator can reset or change an admin password.
How Do I change a Firmware Password on a Mac?
Changing or removing a Firmware Password on a Mac requires macOS Recovery Mode because it protects low-level system settings from unauthorized changes.
How to Change or Remove a Firmware Password on a Mac
Step 1: Enter macOS Recovery Mode
Shut down your Mac completely.
Turn it on and immediately press & hold:
Intel Macs: Command (⌘) + R until the Apple logo or spinning globe appears.
Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macs: Press and hold the Power button until you see “Loading startup options”, then select Options > Continue.
Step 2: Access the Firmware Password Utility
From the Utilities menu at the top, select “Startup Security Utility” (on newer Macs) or “Firmware Password Utility” (on older Macs).
Click Turn Off Firmware Password (or Change Password if modifying it).
Enter the current firmware password when prompted.
If changing, enter a new firmware password, confirm it, then save.
Click Quit Firmware Password Utility and restart your Mac.
Important Notes:
If You Forgot the Firmware Password: Apple does not provide a public reset option for security reasons. You must take your Mac to an Apple Store or authorized repair center with proof of purchase.
A firmware password is different from your Mac login password—it prevents unauthorized booting from external drives or recovery mode.
How Do I change an Apple Account (Apple ID) Password?
Changing your Apple ID password is an important step to keep your account secure. Here’s how you can do it on your Mac or other devices:
How to Change Your Apple ID Password on a Mac:
Open System Settings:
Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings.
Go to Apple ID:
In the sidebar, select Apple ID (you might need to click on your name at the top).
Password & Security:
Click on Password & Security on the left side.
Change Password:
You’ll see an option to Change Password. Click it.
You may be prompted to enter your Mac login password (this is the password you use to log into your Mac).
Enter New Password:
Follow the on-screen instructions to enter and confirm a new password.
Make sure the new password is strong (ideally, 12 characters or more, mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols).
Complete:
Once you’ve entered the new password, click Change to confirm.
How to Change Your Apple ID Password Using an iPhone or iPad:
Open Settings:
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
Tap Your Name:
At the top of the Settings menu, tap your name (Apple ID).
Go to Password & Security:
Tap Password & Security.
Change Password:
Tap Change Password.
You’ll need to enter your device passcode to proceed.
Enter and Confirm New Password:
Enter your new Apple ID password, confirm it, and tap Change.
Type in your Apple ID email address and click Continue.
Follow the Steps for Recovery:
Apple will guide you through the recovery process. You may need to use your email or answer security questions, or use your trusted device to reset the password.
Important Notes:
After changing your Apple ID password, you’ll need to sign in again on all your Apple devices and services (iCloud, iTunes, App Store, etc.).
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) may require you to verify your identity on a trusted device after changing the password.
How Do I change a FileVault Password on a Mac?
A FileVault password is the same as your Mac login password when FileVault is enabled. To change it, you must change your login password.
If You Remember Your Current Password
Go to System Settings: Click the Apple menu > System Settings.
Select “Users & Groups” from the sidebar.
Click your user account and select Change Password.
Enter your current password, then enter and confirm a new password.
Click Change Password to save.
✅ Your FileVault password is now updated!
If You Forgot Your FileVault Password
Use Your FileVault Recovery Key
On the login screen, click “Forgot Password?”
Select “Enter Recovery Key” and type in your FileVault Recovery Key (provided when you enabled FileVault).
Reset your password and log in.
Erase Your Mac (Last Resort)
If you lost both your password and recovery key, there is no way to decrypt your data, and you must erase the Mac using macOS Recovery Mode.
How Do I change a Screen Time Password on a Mac?
If you need to change your Screen Time password on a Mac, you can follow these steps, depending on whether you remember the current password or not.
If You Remember Your Current Screen Time Password:
Go to System Settings: Click the Apple menu () > System Settings.
Select Screen Time from the sidebar.
Click Change Screen Time Passcode at the bottom of the settings.
Enter your current Screen Time passcode.
Choose Change Passcode and enter a new passcode.
Confirm your new passcode to complete the change.
Use Apple Account (AppleID) to reset Mac Passwords.
The following passwords on a Mac can be reset using your Apple ID:
1. Login Password
If FileVault is not enabled, you can reset your Mac login password using your Apple ID from the login screen.
On the login screen, after entering the wrong password a few times, you may see the option to reset using Apple ID.
2. Screen Time Password
If you set up Apple ID recovery for Screen Time, you can reset your Screen Time passcode using your Apple ID.
When you try to enter the wrong passcode, you may see an option to reset it through your Apple ID.
Not Possible to Reset with Apple ID:
Firmware Password: Apple Account cannot be used to reset or recover a Firmware Password. You would need to use macOS Recovery Mode or take the Mac to Apple Support.
FileVault Password: The FileVault password is the same as the login password, and it cannot be reset using Apple Account unless you use your recovery key or follow specific FileVault recovery methods.
Administrator Password: While the login password can be reset through Apple Account, the admin password (for system-wide changes) may not always have Apple Account recovery enabled. You may need another admin account, Recovery Mode, or a FileVault recovery key.
How to Reset Your Mac Password Using Apple Account:
Go to the Login Screen
Shut down your Mac and then power it on again.
When the login screen appears, enter the wrong password three times.
Look for the “Reset it using your Apple Account” Option
After entering the wrong password three times, you should see a message like: “If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it using your Apple Account.”
Click Reset it using Apple Account (this will appear if you’ve enabled Apple ID password reset at login).
Enter Your Apple Account Credentials
You will be prompted to enter your Apple Account email and password.
Once entered, you can create a new login password for your Mac.
Complete the Process
After resetting your password, you’ll be able to log in with the new password.
What Happens After Resetting the Password?
Keychain Access: If you reset the password using Apple Account, your keychain (saved passwords) may not sync with the new login password. You may have to reset or delete the keychain if you encounter issues with saved passwords.
Important Notes:
This method works only if FileVault is not enabled, or if you have set up Apple Account password recovery for your Mac.
If FileVault is enabled, you may be prompted to enter your FileVault recovery key or use other recovery options.
How do I create a secure Password for my Mac?
Use at Least 12 Characters The longer the password, the harder it is to crack. Aim for 12 characters or more.
Mix Uppercase and Lowercase Letters Combine both uppercase (A, B, C…) and lowercase (a, b, c…) letters to make your password harder to guess.
Include Numbers and Symbols Add numbers (1, 2, 3…) and symbols (like @, #, $, %, &, *) to increase complexity.
Avoid Common Words and Phrases Don’t use easily guessable words like “password”, “123456”, or your name. Avoid using common phrases, birthdays, or any personal information.
Use Random Combinations Use a combination of random letters, numbers, and symbols. For example: C9!vA7r$zP is much more secure than a word-based password.
Consider a Passphrase A passphrase can be easier to remember but still secure. Combine random words with symbols or numbers, like: Blue$Tree!76Mountain This is long and contains a variety of character types.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) If available, enable 2FA for an extra layer of security. This requires not only your password but also a second piece of information (like a code sent to your phone).
Use a Password Manager Password managers can generate complex, random passwords for you and store them securely, so you don’t have to remember them all.
Change Passwords Regularly It’s good practice to change your passwords periodically, especially for sensitive accounts.
Example of a Strong Password:
@v8tX!kP5w$F4a3&
It’s long, contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, and it’s random.
Avoiding Weak Passwords:
Don’t use personal information (like your name, birthdate, or username).
Don’t use dictionary words (even when combined with numbers) as they can be cracked with “dictionary attacks.”
What are some tips for remembering my passwords while keeping them secure?
Remembering your passwords while keeping them secure can be a challenge, but here are some tips and strategies to help you maintain security without forgetting your passwords:
1. Use a Password Manager
Password managers securely store all your passwords and can generate strong, random passwords for you.
Popular password managers like 1Password, LastPass, and Bitwarden allow you to keep track of all your login details without having to remember them.
Most password managers are encrypted, so even if your vault is accessed, the information inside remains secure.
2. Create a Memorably Complex Passphrase
Passphrases are longer and easier to remember than complex passwords but still very secure. For example, a random collection of words mixed with numbers or symbols, such as:
“Purple$Sky42!Tree”
“Coffee*Tiger7#Moon”
The longer and more random your passphrase, the stronger it becomes.
3. Use a System for Memorizing Passwords
Mnemonic devices or creating associations between random passwords and something familiar to you can help. For example, use the first letter of each word from a favorite quote or phrase:
“The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog!”
Could become “TqbfJ0v3r!T@dog”
4. Leverage Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
2FA adds an additional layer of security. Even if you forget your password, the second factor (usually a code sent to your phone) ensures you can still access your accounts.
Some password managers even integrate 2FA, so they manage that process for you.
5. Create a Master Password (for Multiple Accounts)
If you find it challenging to remember many different passwords, you could create a secure master password (with strong randomness) and use it for accessing accounts in a password manager.
Only one password (the master one) needs to be remembered.
6. Write Down Your Passwords (Securely)
If you feel uncomfortable storing passwords in a manager, you could write them down on paper in a secure place(like a safe or locked drawer). Make sure the password list is not accessible to others.
Never store passwords on sticky notes around your desk or computer!
7. Avoid Reusing Passwords
Never reuse passwords for multiple accounts. If one account is compromised, it’s an easy way for hackers to access your other accounts.
A password manager can help generate unique passwords for each account, making this easier to manage.
8. Set Password Reminders, Not Passwords
Use security questions or a trusted person to help remind you of your passwords if needed. Some people use a trusted friend to help keep track of critical information securely.
9. Use Biometric Authentication (if available)
Many devices now support fingerprint scanning or face recognition. This can be a secure, easy way to access your accounts and reduce the need to remember passwords.
Just make sure your biometric data is protected by a strong password!
10. Regularly Update Your Passwords
Regularly updating passwords is an important security practice. With a password manager, it’s easier to change passwords frequently without worrying about remembering them all.
Bonus Tip: Keep Backup Access Options
For important accounts (like email or banking), set up backup recovery options like alternative email addresses, security questions, or trusted contacts, so you can always regain access if you forget a password.
Why should I remember my Mac Password if I have TouchID?
While Touch ID offers a convenient and secure way to unlock your Mac, there are still a few important reasons why you should remember your Mac password:
1. Touch ID Isn’t Available at All Times
Touch ID only works when your Mac is awake and in use. If your Mac is restarted, turned off, or you’re in macOS Recovery Mode, you’ll need to enter your password to unlock it.
Some applications and services might also ask for your password even if Touch ID is enabled for system login.
2. Touch ID Can Fail
While rare, there are times when Touch ID might not recognize your fingerprint, especially if your fingers are wet, dirty, or if the sensor is malfunctioning.
In these cases, having your password as a backup ensures that you can still access your Mac without issue.
3. System Preferences and Security Settings
Certain system settings, including security preferences (like changing your password or enabling FileVault), may require you to enter your password directly instead of using Touch ID.
When updating important system settings or making security-related changes, you may be prompted to enter your Mac password.
4. FileVault and Encrypted Disks
If FileVault (full disk encryption) is enabled, your Mac’s hard drive is encrypted, and the system will often require your password during startup to unlock the disk. Touch ID cannot be used for this process.
You need your password to access encrypted files in certain scenarios where Touch ID can’t authenticate.
5. Touch ID for Multiple Users
If you have multiple users on your Mac, Touch ID is tied to your fingerprint and works only for your account. If you’re sharing your Mac with someone else, each user may need to remember their password to switch users or make system changes.
6. Account Recovery
If you forget your Touch ID settings or need to reset your device (due to a system failure or other issues), you may need your password for account recovery and Apple ID access.
Summary:
Even though Touch ID makes it easier to unlock your Mac and authenticate actions, remembering your Mac passwordis still essential for system recovery, making security changes, and ensuring you can access your device in case Touch ID isn’t available or fails.
