Type it in slowly and count the “•”s to see if they match. If not, plug in a keyboard, it may be the internal board. You can also reset the password from the recovery partition, but you will have to unlink and relink your iCloud account if you do. There are apple help articles you can find that will walk you through it. Once done, you may lose saved passwords and whatnot, but you’ll be able to get all your files back. Lastly, if your Apple ID is linked, you can use that to reset the password without losing everything. If you have that turned on. Good luck. Answer from Guardian1030 on reddit.com
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102633
If you forgot your Mac login password - Apple Support
If your keyboard has Caps Lock turned on, the password field shows a Caps Lock symbol. Check the Input menu in the corner of the login window to be sure that your keyboard is set for the correct language. If your login password still doesn’t work, continue to the next steps. If you see a question mark next to the password field, click it. You might then see: A password hint—if you added a hint when setting up your account. A reset message, such as “Restart and show password reset options” or “Reset it using your Apple ID” or “Reset it using your recovery key.”
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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.
People also ask

How to factory reset MacBook Air when locked out?

To factory reset MacBook Air without password, restart the system. Enter the Recovery mode by pressing the Command and R keys. From the Utilities window, choose Disk Utility. From there, you need to select Macintosh HD. Press the Erase button. Now, you can reinstall macOS.

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easeus.com
easeus.com › computer instruction › locked out of macbook pro, air? you can reset macbook password now
Locked Out of MacBook Pro, Air: How to Reset Password - EaseUS
How long can you be locked out of MacBook Pro after entering the wrong password?

Entering the wrong password can lock you out of MacBook Pro for 8 hours. After that, you can try entering the password again. If you still can't remember it, you must reset the password.

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easeus.com
easeus.com › computer instruction › locked out of macbook pro, air? you can reset macbook password now
Locked Out of MacBook Pro, Air: How to Reset Password - EaseUS
How to unlock a MacBook Pro without a password?

Go to the login screen to unlock a MacBook Pro without a password. Select the user account and tap the question mark. Click the arrow beside reset it using your Apple ID. Here, you can create a new password and follow the on-screen instructions.

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easeus.com
easeus.com › computer instruction › locked out of macbook pro, air? you can reset macbook password now
Locked Out of MacBook Pro, Air: How to Reset Password - EaseUS
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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
You may land here automatically, ... and more. Step 6. In the menu bar, select “Terminal”. Step 7. Type "resetpassword" in the terminal window....
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255996245
Locked out of new Macbook Air - Apple Community
I understand how frustrating it can be to get locked out of a new MacBook Air. Here are your options to regain access: ... At the login screen, click on "Forgot password?" or the question mark icon next to the password field · If you set up your Apple ID during setup, you can use it to reset ...
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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 - On some Macs, you may see a different screen, including the option to directly reset your password using your Apple ID, or if enabled, the option to reset using your recovery key which you made with FireVault. We've covered it in more detail towards the end of this guide. You may also see a message that says "Your account is locked.
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EaseUS
easeus.com › computer instruction › locked out of macbook pro, air? you can reset macbook password now
Locked Out of MacBook Pro, Air: How to Reset Password - EaseUS
September 17, 2025 - Go to the login screen to unlock a MacBook Pro without a password. Select the user account and tap the question mark. Click the arrow beside "reset it using your Apple ID". Here, you can create a new password and follow the on-screen instructions.
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NordPass
nordpass.com › blog › how to reset mac password
How to reset or change your Mac password | NordPass
Locked out of your Mac and can't remember your password? Don't worry, we have you covered. Learn how to change or reset your Mac password quickly and easily.
Find elsewhere
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Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102656
If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support
Click [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Change Password. Follow the onscreen instructions to reset your password.
Published   October 28, 2025
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Iboostup
iboostup.com › blog › how-to-reset-macbook-password
Reset Your MacBook Password When Locked Out - macOS blog
These 2 things will save you lots of time if you're ever locked out of your Mac again: Link your Apple ID to your Mac; do this by signing into your Apple ID from System Settings > Sign in.
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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 - Select the locked account and click the ‘Reset Password’ button. Sometimes you might just want to change your password without getting locked out.
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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 😅

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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.
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Apple Magazine
applemagazine.com › how-to-unlock-a-macbook-pro-without-a-password-or-apple-id
How to unlock a MacBook Pro without a password or Apple ID - AppleMagazine
October 14, 2024 - Select “Log Out” from the Apple menu. Re-enter the new password and username to log in. If you are trying to figure out how to unlock a MacBook Pro without a password, you can do it by erasing your Mac password.
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iDiskHome
idiskhome.com › resource › computer-instruction › locked-out-of-macbook-pro.shtml
Locked Out of MacBook Pro, Air: How to Reset Password - Qiling
December 4, 2023 - To unlock a MacBook Pro without a password, go to the login screen, select the user account, tap the question mark, and click the arrow beside "reset it using your Apple ID". From there, you can create a new password and follow the on-screen ...
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254717084
Locked out of MacBook Air with no option to login
My macbook says "Your Password is needed to enable touch ID" when I try logging in. Despite using the correct password, it won't let me in and when I click on question mark, there is no option to reset password either. I am very stressed as I have an exam.
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254982519
I forgot my MacBook password and it doesn… - Apple Community
... Enter your Apple ID information. You might also be asked to enter the verification code sent to your other devices. If you see an Activation Lock window, click Exit to Recovery Utilities. Then continue as described in the next section, “Use the Reset Password assistant.”
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YouTube
youtube.com › shorts › 4YNtZaRwIB8
How to Reset MacBook Password (M1 & Above) | Works on Older MacBooks Too! - YouTube
Forgot your MacBook password? This guide shows you how to reset it using recovery mode, which is compatible with the MacBook M1 series and newer models, as w...
Published   December 10, 2024
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Asurion
asurion.com › connect › tech-tips › how-to-remove-or-change-macbook-password
Need to remove or change your MacBook password? Here's how | Asurion
5 days ago - If you have not already done so, turn off your MacBook. Press the Power button, but quickly press and hold command and R until you see a progress bar appear. For newer models that use Apple's M1 processor, hold down the Power button until you're given a list of options, then select Recovery.