Change your Mac password through System Settings

Open System Settings (the gear icon in your Dock or Applications folder), then click Users & Groups in the sidebar. If the lock icon at the bottom left is closed, click it and enter your current password to unlock the panel. Select your user account from the list on the left, click the Password tab, and enter your current password in the first field. Type your new password twice — once in the "New password" field and again in the "Verify" field — then click Change Password.

Your new password takes effect immediately. You'll use it the next time you log in, restart your Mac, or wake it from sleep. Make sure you remember it before you close System Settings, because you'll need it to access your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You must unlock the Users & Groups panel with your current password before you can change it.
  • Your new password must be entered twice to confirm you typed it correctly.
  • The change takes effect right away, so you'll need the new password at your next login.
  • If you forget your new password, you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key.
  • A strong password uses uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to protect your account.

What happens if you forget your new password

If you change your password and then forget it before logging out, restart your Mac and try logging in with your Apple ID instead. At the login screen, click "Forgot password?" and follow the prompts to reset it using your Apple ID credentials. This works as long as your Mac account is linked to an Apple ID, which is the default for most newer Macs.

If your Mac is not linked to an Apple ID, or if you don't remember that password either, you'll need to use a recovery key or restart in Recovery Mode. Recovery Mode lets you reset your password using your Mac's built-in tools, but the process is longer and requires you to restart your computer.

Why you might want to change your password regularly

Changing your password periodically makes it harder for someone else to access your account if they've learned your old one. This is especially important if you've shared your password with someone in the past, used the same password on multiple websites, or suspect someone may have seen you type it.

You don't need to change your password constantly — once or twice a year is reasonable for most people — but doing it after a security concern is always a good idea. A new password also locks out anyone who may have gained access to your account without your knowledge.

Creating a password that's hard to guess

A strong Mac password combines uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using your name, birthdate, or common words that appear in the dictionary. "MyDog2024!" is stronger than "password" or "12345678", but "Tr0pic@lSunset#42" is even better because it mixes character types throughout.

Your Mac will accept passwords as short as one character, but longer passwords are harder to crack. Aim for at least 12 characters if you can remember it. If you struggle to create and remember strong passwords, consider using a password manager like Keychain (built into macOS) or a third-party app that stores passwords securely.

Changing your password on a Mac you share with others

Each person who uses a shared Mac has their own user account and password. When you change your password, it only affects your account — other users' passwords stay the same. You can only change the password for the account you're currently logged into; you cannot change another person's password unless you have administrator access.

If you're the administrator and need to reset someone else's password, open System Settings, click Users & Groups, unlock the panel, select their account, and click the Reset Password button. They'll need to set a new password the next time they log in. This is useful if someone forgets their password, but it also means the administrator can access any account on the Mac.

Using your Apple ID to sign in instead of a password

Modern Macs let you sign in with your Apple ID at the login screen, which means you don't have to remember a separate Mac password. If you want to use this method, go to System Settings, click Users & Groups, unlock the panel, and look for the option to sign in with your Apple ID. You can still set a local password as a backup in case you forget your Apple ID password.

Signing in with your Apple ID is convenient because you likely already remember that password, and it syncs your settings across your Apple devices. However, some older apps and features may still require your local Mac password, so keeping one set is usually safer than removing it entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my old password to change to a new one?

Yes. System Settings requires you to enter your current password before you can create a new one. This prevents someone from changing your password if they gain temporary access to your unlocked Mac.

Can I change my password from the login screen?

No. You must be logged into your account first. If you're locked out, you'll need to use your Apple ID or a recovery key to reset your password, then log in and change it through System Settings.

What if I see a message that says the password is too simple?

macOS sometimes warns that your password is weak or commonly used. You can ignore the warning and use it anyway, but a stronger password protects your account better. Try adding numbers, symbols, or uppercase letters to make it harder to guess.

Will changing my password affect my stored Wi-Fi passwords or saved credit cards?

No. Your Mac password and your Keychain (which stores Wi-Fi passwords and payment information) are separate. Changing your Mac password does not affect what's stored in Keychain, though you may need to re-enter some passwords if you've changed your Apple ID password.

How often should I change my Mac password?

There's no strict rule. Once or twice a year is reasonable for most people. Change it sooner if you suspect someone knows your password, if you've used it on a website that was hacked, or if you've shared it with someone you no longer trust.