Reset the Admin Password in MacOS

Last Updated on May 14, 2020 by Next Century

This tutorial will teach you how to reset your admin password in Mac OS X 10.6 without the installation discs.

This method will be done through a system reboot in Single User Mode.

Reset Admin Password on Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6

The below instructions also applies to Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard).

  • Boot your Mac while holding the Command + S keys down to access the Single User Mode

Then run the following commands

  • mount -uw /

    Press Enter

  • launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist

    Press Enter

  • ls /Users

    Press Enter

    This command list the all users accounts registered on the computer

  • dscl . -passwd /Users/username password

    Press Enter

    Replace username by the name of the desired user account

    Replace password with your new password

  • reboot

    Press Enter

Reset Admin Password on Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

The procedure is slightly different for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger).

  • Boot your Mac while holding the Command + S keys down to access the Single User Mode

Then run the following commands

  • sh /etc/rc /

    Press Enter

  • passwd username

    press Enter

    Replace username by the name of the desired user account

    Enter the new password (it does not appear on screen)

  • reboot

    press Enter

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