Forgot macbook password - what to do? Password Reset on MacBook

Did it happen that you forgot the password on the laptop and did not know what to do? Or bought a laptop with your hands, and the last owner forgot to remove the password?

At such moments, usually many are advised to reset the password, but how? It turns out that if you can reset it, then why do you need a password? This article will help to understand the problem.

Is it easy to crack a password on a macbook, and what types of password bypass are there?

This is actually quite simple, but not every seasoned user can hack the system. Although experienced hackers easily, give them a little time, bypass the most complex cipher and get into a laptop!

Well, if you just forgot your MacBook password? What to do, because you do not want to part with valuable information? How does hacking happen? More experienced specialists will use the command line, but only "guru-masters" can do the code. Therefore, "novice crackers" can try the following:

  • Create a new user. Using the same command line, you bypass single-user mode. It is worth noting that all hacks occur using the command line, but depend on the degree of complexity.
  • A bunch of code is an effective method and will help to change the password, but it will take a lot of time. Also, it is not a fact that you will understand the first time, but you will have time to delve into the system settings.
  • Through the "recovery mode". A simple method that everyone will master.
New MacBook
  • Using the installation disk. A great option if you want to reset your password on a macbook without fear of reinstalling the operating system. For example, you just purchased it or it came from a relative. In this option, you will need the installation disk, you can ask it from friends or the same seller.

These methods are suitable for ordinary users, will be useful to system administrators.

Method 1. Reset password by changing user

Forgot your macbook password, what should I do? Use the instructions:

  • First you need to turn on the laptop and wait for a gray screen or a welcome screen.
  • Hold Command + S on your keyboard so you end up in single user mode.
  • It is necessary to check the hard drive. To do this, type fsck -fy and press Enter to fire it.
2 MacBook accounts
  • The disk will not be checked immediately, after a while look for the mount -uw / button and feel free to click on it!
  • Now the command is rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone, followed by shutdown -h now and Enter.

This method, as it were, deceives the operating system. She believes that at the moment it is not used, therefore, the password is reset. After that, go through all the registration steps again, but do not worry - your data will remain safe and sound. Just do not check the "data migration" field.

Method 2. Using code and command line

If the first option does not suit you and on the macbook valuable files that you are afraid to risk, then try the following:

  • How to unlock a macbook if you forget your password? Of course, with the help of commands. Turn on the laptop and wait for the gray screen to load or the welcome line to exit.
  • Repeat the same steps as last time, but stop at mount -uw /. After pressing it, select launchctl load, then /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist and the final button - Enter.
  • If you want to check all the users that are on the laptop, then click ls / Users. It will help both remove the password from the laptop and see all the available owners. A very useful command followed by pressing Enter.
  • Now the final stage. In the line "dscl. -Passwd / Users / username password", you need to change the name to yours (the name of the macbook system, it may be the name User, if you did not change it), then change the password.
  • Reboot and password reset.
Locked MacBook

This method is by no means a cracking option. If the user does not know what to do, because he forgot the password from the macbook, then using the code will help restore the system, saving all the data.

Method 3: Change data using simple code

The next method is much easier than the previous one. You will need to enter three times less characters, but the password will still be reset.

How to view passwords on a macbook? It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to this question, because there is a password for that and a password: it cannot be seen and found not simply. It is best to use a reset and come up with another protective combination.

  • As soon as you press the start button, immediately type Command + S. It is very important not to let the laptop boot.
  • The next step is to enter such characters in the line that appears: mount -uw / (file is being deleted, wait), rm /var/db/.applesetupdone and reboot.

What is this method based on, which helps both remove the password from the laptop and makes it possible to replace the combination with a new one? When you use such commands, you make the system think that it is not installed at all. By deleting just one file you open access to thousands of others.

Method 4. Recovery mode

The method also involves the use of a disk package. An ideal option that will help if you forget the password on your laptop.

  • After loading the laptop, go to "Recovery Mode" by pressing Alt (Option) on the keyboard. Now take the Recovery disc.
Macbook closed, pictures
  • Going to the "Utilities", you need to select the "Terminal" tab and enter a word that will reset both your password and the administrator password: resetpassword.
  • In the dialog box, enter a new password and perform a simple reboot of the system.

This method is only suitable if encryption is not enabled on the laptop. Otherwise, resetting the administrator password will be either difficult or impossible.

Method 5: Reset Using Bootstrap

Forgot your macbook password, what should I do? The following method is relevant for those who do not have the installation disk. The initial principle is the same as in the previous methods. As you load the MacBook, type a specific key cycle.

  • Once in the settings, switch to single owner mode and change the contents of the hard drive. To do this, find the system drive, which is installed in the form of a /.
  • The next step is to delete the file that informs the system about the successful download.
  • After removal, you get to the main page that appears after installing the operating system. You must skip 2 points.
MacBook Pictures
  • When you get to the page: “Do you have a Mac”, click on the last button, which says that you do not need to move files yet.
  • Click “Skip" to leave all the welcome windows and enter a new password.

How to protect your laptop from data theft?

Is it really that simple? All methods described in the article may well be used by cybercriminals to reset a password. How to protect yourself from hacking:

  • Create new keychains
  • use special encryption, but in no case do not forget the password, otherwise it will be almost impossible to restore it.
Locked MacBook

And a tip: use external drives. Then the question: "Forgot your MacBook password, what should I do?" will be less scary.

For example, discs that you can put in an envelope and store a bunch of information in them. Usual flash drives are suitable, but they are less resistant to breakage.

Of course, you do all this at your own peril and risk, but do not despair, because experience will be gained in any case. Your task is to correctly type commands and adhere to the instructions in a strict order.

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/C37969/


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