How to Reset Mac Password without Question Mark
Are you locked out of your Mac due to a forgotten password and are struggling to reset it? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many Mac users face this issue at some point. In this article, we will guide you through the process of resetting your Mac password without encountering the dreaded question mark issue. Let’s dive in!
Method 1: Resetting with an Admin Account
If you have an admin account on your Mac, you can easily reset the password by following these steps:
1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Command + R keys immediately after hearing the startup sound.
2. This will boot your Mac into Recovery Mode.
3. Once in Recovery Mode, select the language and click on the “Utilities” menu at the top of the screen.
4. From the Utilities menu, choose “Terminal.”
5. In the Terminal window, type the following command: `resetpassword`.
6. Press Enter, and you will be prompted to choose the disk on which your user account is stored.
7. Select the disk and press Enter.
8. Next, you will be asked to choose the user account whose password you want to reset.
9. Select the user account and press Enter.
10. Now, you can set a new password for the user account. Make sure to choose a strong password to enhance security.
11. Once you have set the new password, press Enter.
12. Restart your Mac and log in with the new password.
Method 2: Resetting with a Bootable Installer
If you don’t have an admin account or if the first method doesn’t work for you, you can try using a bootable installer to reset your Mac password:
1. Download a bootable installer for macOS from a trusted source.
2. Create a bootable installer using a USB drive or external hard drive.
3. Restart your Mac and hold down the Option key immediately after hearing the startup sound.
4. From the startup options, select the bootable installer you created.
5. Once the installer loads, go to the “Utilities” menu and choose “Terminal.”
6. In the Terminal window, type the following command: `resetpassword`.
7. Press Enter, and you will be prompted to choose the disk on which your user account is stored.
8. Select the disk and press Enter.
9. Follow the same steps as in Method 1 to set a new password for your user account.
10. Restart your Mac and log in with the new password.
Conclusion
Resetting your Mac password without encountering the question mark issue can be achieved by following these methods. Whether you have an admin account or not, you can easily reset your password and regain access to your Mac. Remember to choose a strong password to protect your data and ensure a smooth experience.
