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
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
6
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).
2 of 8
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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
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 - Yes, MacBook can be unlocked via password recovery using macOS Recovery or other available tools depending on each particular case. ... You can bypass the password on your MacBook by using the built-in macOS Recovery tool, which allows you to ...
Videos
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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 you bypass the password on a MacBook?
You can bypass the password on your MacBook by using the built-in macOS Recovery tool, which allows you to regain access to your system without a password.
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]
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 - This part contains two main sections, where we will discuss how to factory reset your MacBook Air with Erase Assistant and how to reset Mac password. You can unlock your MacBook Air by resetting your Mac password with the Apple ID. Therefore, ...
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 ...
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 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”. If so, follow these steps. Step 1. Select the reset message. Step 2. If offered a choice between reset options, choose the one you prefer. If you chose to log in using your Apple ID, continue here.
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.
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.
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 - If you forgot your password, you can unlock your MacBook without it or even your Apple ID. Arnold Zafra takes you through the steps to do so.
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.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
Unlock Any MacBook Without The Password - YouTube
Share this video with anyone you know that uses a Mac. Trust me, they'll thank you.At some point last night I learned of a software flaw in Mac OS High Sierr...
Published November 29, 2017
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 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 Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254717084
Locked out of MacBook Air with no option to login
2- Do not attempt a Restart to access this feature. The computer Must be Shutdown and pause for about 10 seconds before moving forwards · 3 - Press and hold the power button on your Mac until you see “Loading startup options.” ... MacBook Pro is not accepting correct password The opening screen of my new 2024 MacBook is not accepting my correct password, so I can’t get into my computer.
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. When your Mac starts up and shows the login window, enter the password that you use to log in to your Mac user account.
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 - You can use your Apple ID to unlock your MacBook Pro without a password. Utilize another account to bypass the security measures on a MacBook Pro. To regain access to a locked MacBook Pro, initiating a reset procedure while in Recovery Mode ...
TikTok
tiktok.com › amin shaykho (@aminshaykho) official | tiktok › if you forgot your laptop (macbook) password, i will show you how to recover it 💻 #macbook #computertricks #computer #laptop #lifetips #learnontiktok
If you forgot your laptop (MacBook) password, I will show you how to recover it 💻 #macbook #computertricks #computer #laptop #lifetips #learnontiktok | TikTok
14.1K Likes, 274 Comments. TikTok video from Amin Shaykho (@aminshaykho): “If you forgot your laptop (MacBook) password, I will show you how to recover it 💻 #macbook #computertricks #computer #laptop #lifetips #learnontiktok”. forgot macbook password. How to “hack” into a computer | This is useful if you forgot your passwordoriginal sound - Amin Shaykho.
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 - Share this trick to help others reset a MacBook to factory settings without password. Single User Mode is a troubleshooting mode on Mac that provides users with direct access to the operating system through a text-based terminal. You can utilize it to factory reset your Mac when you don't have the correct admin password or Apple ID. How to factory reset MacBook Air without password or Apple ID:
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › computer › npzxu-unlock-2017-macbook-air-without-passcode.html
How to Unlock MacBook Air Without Password | Expert Q&A
2017 MacBook Air users often face activation lock and inability to reset without original Apple ID credentials. Without the passcode, Wi-Fi, or Command+R access, unlocking a 2017 MacBook Air is challenging due to Activation Lock. This security feature ties the device to the original Apple ID.
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?