If you click on the "Recovery Assistant" menu in the top left, there should be an option for "Erase Mac". Alternatively, if you click "Forgot all passwords" this will do the same thing. It'll erase the drive. Then it'll reboot back into Recovery, go to the Activation check, and then once that Activation check is passed, it'll pass you, still in Recovery Assistant, to a place where you can download and install Sonoma (or Ventura, depending on the age of the Mac). Answer from damienbarrett on reddit.com
TechToro
techtoro.io › home › blog › how to unlock macbook without password: 7 ways
How to Unlock Macbook without password: 7 Ways - TechToro
August 23, 2024 - This is an easy and secure way to regain access to your MacBook if you can't remember your password: Enter any password three times in the login window to trigger the option to reset with Apple ID.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/applehelp › erase macbook air without a password
r/applehelp on Reddit: Erase MacBook Air without a password
September 17, 2024 -
I have a MacBook Air, a new one I believe (probably M2 or M3), that I do not know the password for. I have tried to erase the Mac, but as soon as I press options in the recovery mode it wants me to “select a user you know the password for”.
As I said, I do not know the password to the previous user, so I tried to sign in with my own Apple-ID. However, it does not allow me to sign in. It says I use the wrong ID or password, even though I know for sure that I have typed everything correctly.
In all the guides I have seen, no one has included this step. The former user worked with cybersecurity, so maybe it has something to do with that.
I would really appreciate some help :)
FYI, it was my dead uncle’s computer, I’m not a thief 😅
Top answer 1 of 8
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If you click on the "Recovery Assistant" menu in the top left, there should be an option for "Erase Mac". Alternatively, if you click "Forgot all passwords" this will do the same thing. It'll erase the drive. Then it'll reboot back into Recovery, go to the Activation check, and then once that Activation check is passed, it'll pass you, still in Recovery Assistant, to a place where you can download and install Sonoma (or Ventura, depending on the age of the Mac).
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There used to be an option to immediately erase it by clicking recovery assistant at the top left. Try clicking it. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/102673
Videos
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How to factory reset your MacBook Pro without Apple ID?
You need to boot up your MacBook Pro to Recovery Mode first. And then, click Recovery Assistant on the top menu bar and select Erase Mac. After the erasure, your Mac will automatically restart. Next, reboot your Mac into Recovery Mode and click Reinstall macOS.
iboysoft.com
iboysoft.com › home › how to tips › how to unlock macbook pro without password or apple id
How to Unlock MacBook Pro Without Password Or Apple ID
How do you unlock a MacBook if you forgot the password?
If you have forgotten your password, to unlock your MacBook use the reset function through macOS Recovery mode available when you boot your computer. You need to press Command+R at startup and use the standard utility.
techtoro.io
techtoro.io › home › blog › how to unlock macbook without password: 7 ways
How to Unlock Macbook without password: 7 Ways - TechToro
Can a locked MacBook Air be unlocked?
Once you've found your Mac, use the passcode you made when you locked it using Find My to open it. If you forget that passcode, you have three choices: After logging in, choose your Macbook from the Devices option at iCloud.com//find. Follow the directions after selecting Unlock to confirm your authenticity.
easeus.com
easeus.com › computer instruction › how to factory reset macbook air without password 🍎
How to Factory Reset MacBook Air Without Password [NEW]
PowerMax
powermax.com › home › blog › how to › how to unlock macbook air without password or apple id: ultimate guide
How to Unlock MacBook Air Without Password or Apple ID: Ultimate Guide – PowerMax
October 7, 2023 - To do this, first navigate to their account recovery page and enter your Apple ID, and then answer a couple of security questions and reset your password. In the event that you do not have access to the authenticated Apple ID, you can use iCloud to unlock the Mac.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255996245
Locked out of new Macbook Air - Apple Community
For M1/M2/M3/M4 MacBook Air models: Completely power off, then press and hold the power button until "Loading startup options" appears ... If you continue to have issues, an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider can help verify your ownership and assist with unlocking it.
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
March 4, 2024 - Summary: This guide covers different ways to factory reset your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air without password or Apple ID password.
The Mac Observer
macobserver.com › home › how to unlock your macbook without your password or apple id
How to Unlock Your MacBook Without Your Password or Apple ID
September 30, 2025 - The last one may not be an option if you’ve forgotten the password for your Apple ID as well as your macOS password. If you’re in the Restart and Show Password option, click to restart your MacBook Pro. Once your MacBook Pro is at the login window, follow the steps below to reset your password. Note that for this method to work, you must have enabled FileVault before you forgot your password. However, this method will allow you to unlock your MacBook even without its password or your Apple ID.
EaseUS
easeus.com › computer instruction › how to factory reset macbook air without password 🍎
How to Factory Reset MacBook Air Without Password [NEW]
September 17, 2025 - You can unlock your MacBook Air by resetting your Mac password with the Apple ID. Therefore, you can continue typing a random password into the login box thrice.
iBoysoft
iboysoft.com › home › how to tips › how to unlock macbook pro without password or apple id
How to Unlock MacBook Pro Without Password Or Apple ID
August 5, 2025 - If the hint "…reset it using your Apple ID" appears (as below), click the arrow on it and enter your Apple ID to reset the password. Then you can access your desktop with the new password. If the message "Restart and show password reset options" shows up (as below), click the arrow to restart your Mac and launch the Reset Password Assistant. If you see the notification "Your account is locked," continue reading this guide to unlock your Mac without data loss: Locked out of MacBook Air/Pro?
Quora
quora.com › Is-there-any-way-I-can-open-my-MacBook-without-my-passcode
Is there any way I can open my MacBook without my passcode? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): Yes. Nothing stops the hinge from functioning without a passcode; you can open and close it as much as you want. You can also decide not to set a passcode or account password,such that you can boot without it, or once booted, ...
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102633
If you forgot your Mac login password - Apple Support
Every Mac has a power button. On laptop computers that have Touch ID, press and hold the Touch ID button.
iDiskHome
idiskhome.com › resource › computer-instruction › macbook-air-factory-reset-without-password.shtml
How to Factory Reset MacBook Air Without Password [NEW]
November 16, 2023 - If you've forgotten the passcode, you have three options: log in to iCloud.com/find, select your MacBook from the Devices list, and follow the directions to unlock it. Alternatively, you can choose to unlock your MacBook using the "Unlock" option, ...
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to Unlock MacBook Pro Without Password or Apple ID | Reset MacBook Pro | Gear Geeek - YouTube
Details Here: https://www.geargeeek.com/2024/05/how-to-unlock-macbook-pro-without-password-or-apple-id.htmlIn this tutorial video, we will guide you through ...
Published May 3, 2024
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254717084
Locked out of MacBook Air with no option … - Apple Community
How can I reset my MacBook Pro password? Hi im reaching because i forgot my new mac book password, and the touch id option is no longer showing, please how do i reset my password? as i can no longer attempt the password to avoid my mac book from getting permanently blocked. [Re-Titled by Moderator] 562 2 · Just bought my Mac air the other week , forgot my password to open I forgot my password to open my Mac air to enable Touch ID 892 1
CNET
cnet.com › tech › computing › laptops › forgot your mac password? here are 4 easy ways to regain access
Forgot Your Mac Password? Here's How You Can Unlock ...
April 11, 2025 - Hold Command+R until you see a progress bar show up below the Apple logo. You can also get into Recovery Mode by restarting your Mac and trying to time the keyboard combo of Command+R, but in my experience, starting with your Mac turned off ...
Quora
quora.com › What-should-I-do-if-I-bought-a-MacBook-Air-but-it-requires-a-password-and-I-don-t-know-it
What should I do if I bought a MacBook Air but it requires a password and I don’t know it? - Quora
The password on a Intel based MacBook Air can be reset by starting up with command-r and starting Terminal from the Utilities menu of Recovery Utilities and typing resetpassword and hitting return.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/mac › does anyone know how to get into a old mac without original apple id and password?
r/mac on Reddit: Does anyone know how to get into a old mac without original apple ID and password?
June 16, 2022 - Type rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone and press Enter. Type shutdown -h now and press Enter. The computer shutdowns, you can then reboot it, answer the questions, create your new user account and then access other Accounts in the System preferences to change their passwords.
MacPaw
macpaw.com › how to › tips & tricks › guides
How to unlock MacBook Pro 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 › fixed: locked out of macbook air 2022 | latest plans
Locked Out of MacBook Air 2022 | Reset Password and Unlock
September 17, 2025 - Step 1. Click the "Restart and show password reset options" button to restart MacBook Air. Then do one of the following: 1. If prompted, sign in with your Apple ID.
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 - Hold Command+R until you see a progress bar show up below the Apple logo. You can also get into Recovery Mode by restarting your Mac and trying to time the keyboard combo of Command+R, but in my experience, starting with your Mac turned off ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/applehelp › reset macbook pro without password
r/applehelp on Reddit: reset macbook pro without password
May 15, 2022 -
My fiancé passed away recently and while going through his things, I came across a macbook pro that was his but is password protected and I don't know the password. Is it possible to reset to factory settings to be used/sold?