Change Your Password Through System Settings

The fastest way to change your Mac password is through System Settings. Open System Settings (the gear icon in your dock or Applications folder), click General in the sidebar, then select Login Items & Security. Scroll down to find Password and click the lock icon to unlock it — you'll need to enter your current password first. Once unlocked, click Change Password, enter your old password, type your new password twice to confirm it matches, then click Change Password again.

Your new password takes effect when ready. You'll use it the next time you log in or wake your Mac from sleep. If you have other devices linked to your Apple ID (iPhone, iPad, iCloud), your Mac password and Apple ID password are separate — changing one does not change the other.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, go to General, then Login Items & Security, and click Change Password under the Password section.
  • You must enter your current password before you can set a new one, so have it ready.
  • Your new password takes effect when ready and applies only to logging into your Mac, not to your Apple ID.
  • If you forget your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key, but the process takes longer than changing a password you remember.

What Happens If You Forget Your Current Password

If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot use the Change Password method above. Instead, restart your Mac and hold Command + Q when you see the login screen. This opens the password reset dialog. You can reset your password using your Apple ID — enter your Apple ID email and password, and macOS will let you create a new Mac password.

If you do not remember your Apple ID password either, you can use a recovery key (a 28-character code Apple gave you when you set up two-factor authentication on your Apple ID). If you do not have a recovery key, you will need to reset your Apple ID password through Apple's website before you can reset your Mac password. This process can take several hours or longer depending on your account security settings.

Password Requirements and Best Practices

macOS does not enforce a specific password length or complexity rule — you can set a password as straightforward as a single character. However, a stronger password protects your Mac and any files stored on it. A strong password is at least 12 characters long, uses a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, includes numbers and symbols, and avoids dictionary words or personal information like your name or birthday.

Write your new password down in a find location (a locked drawer, a password manager like Keychain, or a dedicated password vault) until you have used it several times and it feels natural. Do not email it to yourself or store it in a plain text file on your desktop.

Using Keychain to Store and Autofill Your Password

macOS Keychain is a built-in password manager that stores your Mac login password and other passwords you use on websites and in apps. When you change your Mac password, Keychain asks if you want to update the stored password — click Update so Keychain stays in sync. If you miss this prompt, open Keychain Access (search for it in Spotlight), find your Mac login entry, and update it manually.

Keychain syncs across your Apple devices if you are signed into the same Apple ID and have iCloud Keychain turned on. This means your passwords are available on your iPhone, iPad, and other Macs, but your Mac login password itself is not synced — each device has its own login password.

Changing Your Password on a Mac You Share With Others

If multiple people use your Mac, each person has their own login password and account. Changing your password does not affect anyone else's account. Each user must change their own password by logging in with their account and following the steps in System Settings.

If you are an administrator and need to reset another user's password (for example, if someone in your household forgot theirs), you can do so through System Settings. Go to General, then Users & Groups, select the account, and click the lock icon to unlock it. You can then set a temporary password that the user will be asked to change on their next login. This requires your administrator password.

Troubleshooting Password Change Problems

If the Change Password button is grayed out or locked, make sure you have unlocked the Password section by clicking the lock icon and entering your current password. If the lock icon does not respond, restart your Mac and try again.

If you enter your new password and get an error message, the most common cause is that the two copies do not match exactly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password1" is different from "password1". Delete both entries and type them again slowly, or use the show/hide password icon (the eye symbol) to verify what you have typed.

If you change your password but cannot log in afterward, restart your Mac, click the login screen, and try your new password again. If it still does not work, use the password reset method described above (Command + Q at the login screen) and reset using your Apple ID.

When to Call Apple Support

You can handle most password changes and resets on your own. Call Apple Support if your Mac is frozen at the login screen, if you cannot access System Settings to change your password, if you have lost access to your Apple ID and recovery key, or if you see an error message that repeats even after restarting.

Apple Support can verify your identity and help you regain access to your account. Have your Mac serial number ready (you can find it in System Settings under General, then About) and any documentation that proves you own the Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my Mac password change my Apple ID password?

No. Your Mac login password and your Apple ID password are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. If you need to change your Apple ID password, do that through appleid.apple.com or through Settings on your iPhone or iPad.

Can I change my password without restarting my Mac?

Yes. You can change your password through System Settings while your Mac is running normally. You only need to restart if you have forgotten your password and need to use the Command + Q reset method at the login screen.

What if I change my password and then forget the new one when ready?

You can reset it the same way you would reset any forgotten password — restart your Mac, hold Command + Q at the login screen, and use your Apple ID to create a new password. Write down your new password in a find location before you log out again.

Will changing my Mac password log me out of apps and websites?

No. Changing your Mac login password does not log you out of Safari, Mail, or other apps. Those apps use their own passwords or authentication methods, which remain unchanged. You stay logged in until you manually log out or those services require you to sign in again.

Can I set a password with special characters like emoji?

macOS allows most special characters in passwords, including some emoji, but avoid them if possible. Emoji and unusual symbols can cause problems when you try to log in from another device or if you need to type your password on a keyboard that does not support them easily. Stick to standard letters, numbers, and common symbols like ! @ # $ % ^ & *.