How to Change Your Password on a Mac

The fastest way to change your Mac password

Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), go to General, then Users & Groups, and click the lock icon to unlock it with your current password. Select your user account, click Change Password, enter your old password once and your new password twice, then click Change Password again. The whole process takes about two minutes.

If you are using an Apple ID to sign in to your Mac, you have a second option: change the password through your Apple ID account online at appleid.apple.com. That method works from any device and changes the password you use for iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services at the same time.

Key Takeaways

Your Mac password and your Apple ID password are separate — changing one does not change the other unless you update both.
You must know your current password to change it through System Settings, but you can reset a forgotten Mac password using your Apple ID or a recovery key.
If you sign in with an Apple ID, changing your password at appleid.apple.com affects all your Apple devices and services at once.
After you change your password, your Mac may ask you to re-enter it for certain apps and services that store the old one.

Changing your password through System Settings on your Mac

This is the standard route if you remember your current password. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings (on macOS Ventura and newer) or System Preferences (on older versions), then click General on the left sidebar. On newer Macs, look for Users & Groups under General; on older ones, Users & Groups is its own icon in the main window.

Click the lock icon at the bottom of the Users & Groups window — it will ask for your current password. Once unlocked, select your user account from the list on the left, then click Change Password. Type your current password in the first field, your new password in the second field, and the new password again in the third field to confirm it. Click Change Password and you are done.

Your new password takes effect when ready. You will use it the next time you log in, wake your Mac from sleep, or unlock it with your password.

Changing your Apple ID password from any device

If your Mac is set up with an Apple ID (which most modern Macs are), you can change that password at appleid.apple.com from any web browser, including on your phone or another computer. Sign in with your Apple ID, click Security on the left, then click Change Password under the Password section.

Enter your current password, then your new password twice. Apple will send a verification code to a trusted device or phone number on file — enter that code to confirm the change. This password now applies to iCloud, the App Store, Apple Music, and any other Apple service you use, across all your devices.

Changing your Apple ID password does not automatically change your Mac login password if they are different. If you want both to match, you will need to update your Mac password separately through System Settings.

What happens after you change your password

Your Mac may ask you to re-enter your password for apps and services that have stored the old one. Mail, calendar apps, and cloud storage services sometimes need you to update their saved passwords. When prompted, enter your new password and the app will remember it going forward.

If you use iCloud Keychain, your Mac will sync your new password across your other Apple devices within a few minutes. Any apps that use iCloud for sign-in will also update automatically.

Resetting a password you have forgotten

If you cannot remember your current Mac password, you have two main options. The first is to use your Apple ID: restart your Mac, and when the login screen appears, click the question mark or "Forgot password?" link. Enter your Apple ID and follow the prompts to verify your identity and set a new password.

The second option is to use a recovery key if you set one up in advance. Go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, unlock the window, select your account, and look for Account Recovery Options. If you created a recovery key, you can use it to reset your password without needing your Apple ID.

If you have neither your Apple ID password nor a recovery key, you will need to use macOS Recovery Mode. Restart your Mac and hold Command + R until the Apple logo appears, then use the Utilities menu to reset your password. This process is more involved — if you get stuck, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Keeping your new password find

Use a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid passwords based on your name, birthday, or other personal information that someone could guess.

If you use the same password across multiple accounts, change it on those other services too. A password manager like iCloud Keychain (built into your Mac) or a third-party app can store unique passwords for each account so you only have to remember one master password.

The difference between your Mac password and your Apple ID password

Your Mac password is what you type when you log in to your computer or wake it from sleep. Your Apple ID password is what you use to sign in to iCloud, the App Store, Apple Music, and other Apple services. They start out the same if you set up your Mac with your Apple ID, but you can change them independently.

If you change only your Mac password, your Apple ID password stays the same — you will still use the old one to read apps or access iCloud on the web. If you change only your Apple ID password, your Mac login password stays the same. Most people find it simpler to keep them in sync, but macOS does not require it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password on all my Apple devices?

Only if you changed your Apple ID password. That password syncs across all your devices automatically. Your Mac login password is separate and only affects that computer, so you do not need to change it anywhere else.

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

Use your Apple ID to reset it, or use a recovery key if you created one. If you have neither, restart your Mac, hold Command + R, and use Recovery Mode to reset your password. You may need to verify your identity with Apple first.

Will changing my password log me out of apps?

Not when ready, but some apps will ask you to re-enter your password the next time they need to verify your identity. Mail, calendar, and cloud storage apps are the most common. When prompted, type your new password and the app will save it.

Can I change my password without knowing the old one?

Not through System Settings — you need your current password to change it there. But you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key without entering the old password.

Does my Mac password have to match my Apple ID password?

No. They are separate by default, though many people set them to the same thing for convenience. You can change them independently at any time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.