It's generally not possible to completely reset an iMac to factory settings without the Apple ID password. If Activation Lock is enabled, the device is essentially locked to your Apple ID, making it impossible to erase or use without the correct credentials. Answer from Deleted User on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/macos › reset imac without apple id password?
r/MacOS on Reddit: Reset iMac without Apple ID password?
August 17, 2024 -
Hi @all,
my elderly neighbor has an iMac she got from her brother when he died. She can login to the system using the admin account, but she does not have the Apple ID password. We can close the popups that come after login, but now she wants to give this iMac to her grandkid, and asked me to help her reset it so he can use it with his accounts.
Does the administrator password for the system login suffice for resetting the iMac from the recovery menu? So erasing the main disk and reinstalling the system? Or do we have to invest the time and look at all the paperwork she got from her brother (a LOT) and try to figure out the Apple ID password?
Thanks!
Top answer 1 of 5
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Apple has policies for this. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102431
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It's generally not possible to completely reset an iMac to factory settings without the Apple ID password. If Activation Lock is enabled, the device is essentially locked to your Apple ID, making it impossible to erase or use without the correct credentials.
iBoysoft
iboysoft.com › home › how to tips › factory reset macbook pro/air without password or apple id
Factory Reset MacBook Pro/Air without Password or Apple ID
1 week ago - However, if you have a T2 Mac, there's still a chance to remove the firmware password by restoring BridgeOS with a second Mac and Apple Configurator 2. The process will also erase the entire hard drive, reset the NVRAM, and reinstall the operating system. Restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator · Restore an Apple Silicon Mac using Apple Configurator · If Find My is turned on on your MacBook, the Activation Lock is enabled to prevent anyone from accessing, erasing, or reactivating your Mac without your Apple ID password or device passcode.
Erase MacBook without admin ID - Apple Community
Yes, you can completely erase the Mac without the login ID. However, it's possible that it may ask for the Apple ID and password during the factory reset process. This process is shown on the article that you already checked out. More on discussions.apple.com
Reset password with no WiFi - Apple Community
MacBook Air - password forgotten, ... an older MacBook Air, and I can't login. I don't remember the password. It gives me the option of trying to reset it by logging in via my Apple ID -- but it won't connect to the Internet (probably an older WiFi password, and it won't let me update the WiFi). I haven't tried erasing the laptop because without WiFi, I don't ... More on discussions.apple.com
Reset iMac without Apple ID password?
It's generally not possible to completely reset an iMac to factory settings without the Apple ID password. If Activation Lock is enabled, the device is essentially locked to your Apple ID, making it impossible to erase or use without the correct credentials. More on reddit.com
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August 17, 2024reset macbook pro without password
Yes, using recovery mode https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201255 More on reddit.com
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May 15, 2022Can you factory reset a Mac without the password?
Yes, you can factory reset the Mac without the Password by entering the Recovery Mode and then choosing the Disk Utility or Reinstall macOS option.
easeus.com
easeus.com › computer instruction › factory reset mac without password [for macos ventura/monterey]
Factory Reset Mac Without Password [for macOS Ventura/Monterey]
How do I find my password and factory reset Mac?
You can get back your administrator password with your Apple ID, and you need to enter three random passwords and reset the password step by step. Then you can enter your Mac and factory reset it.
Step 1. Click System Preferences from the Apple menu.
Step 2. Click the Erase All Content and Settings button.
Step 3. Enter the Mac administrator password and click OK.
Step 4. The Mac will remind you to back up the whole data with Time Machine. If you already have a backup, click Continue.
Step 5. Choose Continue and confirm your request.
easeus.com
easeus.com › computer instruction › factory reset mac without password [for macos ventura/monterey]
Factory Reset Mac Without Password [for macOS Ventura/Monterey]
How do I restore my Mac to factory settings without a password?
You will need two or three steps to factory reset your Mac without a password.
Step 1. Entering the Recovery Mode using the power button or the Command and R keys.
Step 2. Use the Disk Utility to erase all the data on your startup disk.
Step 3. Use the Reinstall macOS to reinstall macOS and reset your Mac.
easeus.com
easeus.com › computer instruction › factory reset mac without password [for macos ventura/monterey]
Factory Reset Mac Without Password [for macOS Ventura/Monterey]
Videos
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How To Reset Password on Macbook Air Without Apple ID - YouTube
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Simple Steps to MacBook Password Reset Without Apple ID - YouTube
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 252225432
Reset MacBook without apple ID - Apple Community
December 28, 2020 - We're sorry to hear about your loss, and understand you're trying to erase a MacBook that belonged to your brother but can't due to prompts for his Apple ID. We'd like to share some resources that may help. If Activation Lock has been enabled, take a look at this page: About Activation Lock on your Mac · The information here may also help: How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple accounts · Check out this page for how to erase the Mac: How to erase your Intel-based Mac
MacPaw
macpaw.com › how to › tips & tricks › guides
How to unlock your Mac without password or Apple ID
September 20, 2023 - If there is no other admin user account on your Mac, but you use FileVault, you can reset your password using the FileVault Recovery Key. The FileVault Recovery Key is the series of letters and digits that you will have received when you turned ...
EaseUS
easeus.com › computer instruction › factory reset mac without password [for macos ventura/monterey]
Factory Reset Mac Without Password [for macOS Ventura/Monterey]
Yes, you can factory reset the Mac without the Password by entering the Recovery Mode and then choosing the Disk Utility or Reinstall macOS option. You need to force a factory reset on your Mac in the Recovery Mode.
Published 5 days ago
LastPass
blog.lastpass.com › posts › forgot-mac-password
Forgot Mac Password? Here's How to Reset It Easily - The LastPass Blog
December 4, 2024 - Yes, you can use your Apple ID or run Recovery Mode to create a new password and unlock your Mac. Note: If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password, recovering with this option won’t be possible.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 253649918
Erase MacBook without admin ID - Apple Community
February 9, 2022 - Otherwise, the Mac is bricked. To erase your Mac, turn off Find My Mac in System Preferences -> Apple ID -> iCloud -> Find My Mac. Then, erase your Mac: Use macOS Recovery: You can erase your Mac and reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery even if you don't know the admin password.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 251272129
Reset password with no WiFi - Apple Community
April 15, 2020 - I usually use the on screen keyboard. I forgot my password to log on to my Mac and when I open recovery mode to reset it asks me for my Apple ID password and I must be connected to the WiFi for it. My WiFi password has an i in it and I cannot access the on screen keyboard.
Case Monkey
case-monkey-1.myshopify.com › home › blog › unlocking macbook pro without password or apple id
Unlocking MacBook Pro Without Password or Apple ID – Case Monkey
July 30, 2024 - Select your startup disk (usually named "Macintosh HD"), then click "Mount". Go to the menu bar at the top of the screen, click "Utilities", then select "Terminal". In the Terminal window, type "resetpassword" (without quotes), then press Enter.
LinkedIn
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How to Unlock Your MacBook Pro Without a Password ...
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JumpCloud
jumpcloud.com › home › blog › how to reset your mac password
4 Ways to Reset Your Mac Password - JumpCloud
Afterwards, press the power button to restart your Macbook. You will see an arrow icon (Figure 1) with an instruction: “if you forgot your password, you can… Restart and show password reset options.” Click on the arrow. The system will automatically restart for you. Your device will reboot into Recovery Assistant. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
Published July 10, 2024
Setapp
setapp.com › how-to › how-to-reset-lost-mac-password
Forgot Mac password? Easy ways to reset it without loosing any data
February 8, 2025 - Reset Mac passwords with Apple Account, recovery mode, another account, recovery key, and more. Learn how to never forget your passwords again with Secrets 4.
Currys
currys.co.uk › techtalk › computing › forgot-your-mac-password-heres-how-to-reset-it.html
Forgot your Mac password? Here's how to reset it | Currys
October 28, 2025 - Not directly. You can’t reset your Mac password from an iPhone or another computer. But you can go to appleid.apple.com on another device to reset your Apple ID password, which might help you unlock your Mac if it’s linked.
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102633
If you forgot your Mac login password - Apple Support
June 13, 2025 - If asked to sign in to your Apple Account, enter your Apple Account email or phone number, then enter its password. You may be asked to enter a verification code sent to your other devices. You can then select the user to reset the password for. If asked to select a volume to recover, select ...
Macworld
macworld.com › home › software › how-to
How to recover and reset a forgotten Mac password | Macworld
May 14, 2025 - Click on Restart and show password reset options. Your Mac will restart in the Recovery assistant. Enter your Apple ID email address.
CNET
cnet.com › tech › computing › laptops › forgot your mac password? here are 4 easy ways to regain access
Forgot Your Mac Password? Here are 4 Easy Ways to Regain Access - CNET
April 11, 2025 - A new window will show up, waiting for you to enter a command. Type "resetpassword" as one word, without the quotes, and press Return. Close the Terminal window, where you will then find the Reset Password tool.
Wikihow
wikihow.com › computers and electronics › computers › laptops › macbook › how to factory reset macbook without password: easy guide
How to Factory Reset MacBook Without Password: Easy Guide
August 7, 2025 - Force your MacBook to reset using Disk Utility Did you receive a secondhand MacBook and want to erase everything? To reset a Mac without the password, you'll need to erase the disk using Recovery Mode. This wikiHow will show you how to...
Back Market
help.backmarket.com › hc › en-us › articles › 5715862214044-I-forgot-my-password-and-I-m-locked-out-of-my-Mac
I forgot my password and I'm locked out of my Mac – Back Market - Help Center - USA
If none of the above are true for you, check out Apple Support’s guidelines on resetting a forgotten Mac password · You might see one of several password reset messages, like “Restart and show password reset options” or “Reset it using your Apple ID” or “Reset it using your recovery key”.
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102656
If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support
The easiest way to reset your password is with your iPhone or other trusted Apple device — one that’s already signed in to your Apple Account, so that Apple knows that it’s yours. You also need a passcode (or password on Mac) set up on that device. Resetting your password on the web when you don’t have a trusted device is another way to regain access to your account. Apple ID is now Apple Account.
Published 1 month ago
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › mac-computers › nkv00-i-m-locked-mac-os-forgot-password.html
Locked Out of Your Mac? Expert Solutions to Reset Password and Recover Access
If locked out of your Mac without a backup, start by restarting in Recovery Mode (Command + R). Use the Terminal to reset the password with 'resetpassword' command. Alternatively, try Apple ID password recovery if linked.