Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read more than 500 million times---and thats just here at How-To Geek.

With the default settings, you can simply try logging into your Mac.

Ag For Password With Your

Fail enough times and youll be able to reset your password with your Apple ID.

Ag For Code You Were

If you have enabled FileVault, youve got two potential options: your Apple ID can work if you have one, or you can use the passcode you were shown after starting the encryption process.

If none of that works, youre files are gone, and youll simply have to reinstall macOS.

If you gave that other user account permission to decrypt your Mac with its password, youll be able to sign in and access a desktop.

And if the account is an administrator account, you can then change the password for your primary account.

If you enabled FileVault, youll need to try one of the other options we discuss later in this article.

After three wrong answers, youll see a If you forgot your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID message.

This boots your Mac into a special recovery mode, also known as macOS Recovery.

From macOS Recovery, you can access a hidden a password reset tool and use it to change any user accounts password on the Mac.

The password reset tool launches, allowing you to change the password of any non-encrypted account.

This helps prevent thieves from just erasing the UEFI password of a MacBook after they steal it.

This will be text at the bottom of the screen, and it will tell you to hold down your power button in order to turn your Mac off.

Turn your Mac back on after doing this, and your Mac will boot into Recovery Mode, directly opening the password recovery tool.

Instead, you can enter your Recovery Key directly into the password prompt of the login screen.

Thisaside from the passwordis the only thing that can decrypt the files stored on your Mac and give you access to them.

Once youre signed in, you can change the password from the usual Users Groups tool in the System Settings window.

You hopefully have backup copies of these files elsewhere, as the originals are encrypted and without your password or recovery key, you simply cannot access them.

You can reinstall macOS and start from scratchlosing access to the files currently on your Mac, but regaining the ability to actually sign in and use it.

Click the Reinstall macOS option here, and then go through the installation process to reinstall macOS.

Chris has written for The New York Times, been interviewed as a technology expert on TV stations like Miamis NBC 6, and had his work covered by news outlets like the BBC.

Mac Install Asking For Password