Can't login after updating to Mojave beta

[hjfuezz57]

Hey everybody

I updated to macOS Mojave (beta) a couple of minutes ago, after enrolling my Mac and downloading the official, public beta.

However, when it was done updating, it returned to the login screen and asked for my password. Every other version of macOS has done this as well, even though I don't have a password. Everytime I'm asked to enter my password, I just hit enter and it was fine.

Mojave doesn't let me press enter, you have to type something there. But I don't have a password...
What should I do?

(I understand this is a bug, but even if they'd fix this in a later release, I can't update since I cannot log in!)...


Any input is more than appreciated!
Thanks!!!

 

[maflynn]

Go into Recovery mode and reset the password. I think because you don't use a password its not behaving normally. I suggest you use a password moving forward as Apple is a very security focused company, plus its the safest approach because you can then encrypt your drive and if your Mac was ever stolen your data will be safe.

 

[hjfuezz57]

Go into Recovery mode and reset the password. I think because you don't use a password its not behaving normally. I suggest you use a password moving forward as Apple is a very security focused company, plus its the safest approach because you can then encrypt your drive and if your Mac was ever stolen your data will be safe.

Thank you so much for your reply!

I understand having a password is always the right way to go, but I never really bothered since this is laptop sits at home all the time. I guess I will, though, to prevent situations like this (but it does kind of seem like a bug, right?)

I don't really know how to do this, though, but I found this video online. I know it's an older version of Mac OS X, but is this how it's done? I'll try it immediately when I get home!
(but doesn't this kind of defeat the point of having a password? )

Thank you so much, maflynn!

 

[maflynn]

bothered since this is laptop sits at home all the time.

Consider this, If someone breaks into your home and grabs your laptop. If you use the laptop like me, then your banking information, users, passwords, tax information will be quite easily accessible

You ought to encrypt the drive and put a password on it. I believe FileVault requires a password

 

[Fishrrman]

You don't have a password?
You BETTER START USING ONE.

 

[hjfuezz57]

If you use the laptop like me, then your banking information, users, passwords, tax information will be quite easily accessible

I totally understand where you're coming from, and looking back, it might be smart to just get a password.
Up until now, all you would get if you stole this laptop were some pictures (iCloud), documents that you can't do anything with, access to iMessage and my accounts like Amazon because of iCloud Keychain. Since I live in Europe, you can't access your bank account / tax information without your debit/credit card, ID or phone (or a combination, in some cases). My credit card information is in the cloud, but my phone needs to be in the same area where cc transactions are made, or need to be authorised with an extra password online.
+ I'd erase it with Find My iPhone/Mac immediately.

You'd be surprised how many people still don't use passwords (out in public), though!

You ought to encrypt the drive and put a password on it. I believe FileVault requires a password

I've done this on my old MacBook, and tried to do it on this one, but didn't like the fact that I needed a password (which I need for every single update/adjustment/new app/... as well + it said it was literally gonna take days to encrypt everything... But now that I have time, I'm definitely going to look into it again, because at this point you could pretty much steal most people's MacBooks if you can reset the password like that. They should come up with a verification method that requires another iDevice or Mac (like when you log into iCloud), but in my situation, I'm pretty happy/lucky I got to reset it this easily, lol!

You don't have a password?
You BETTER START USING ONE.

I kinda figured by now, lol! But thanks!
Should look into FireVault as well, cause even though I'm super grateful I got to reset my password because of you guys, I learnt that anyone could reset my password just like that!

---

Thank you all for your help and advice! It totally worked and I'll use a password from now on!
My first impressions of Mojave have been very positive. Totally loving it, so far!

 

[Mat Ives]

Although this thread was created a couple of months ago, as of today (Sept 24th 2018) the login issue still persists with the official release of macOS Mojave.
For anyone who doesn't have a password set for their user account, boot the computer in safe mode. This will allow you to log in to the problematic account by hitting the 'return/enter' key.
Navigate to System Preferences > Users & Groups. From there you can set a password for your user account.
Once done, reboot the Mac. When the login screen appears, enter your password and start enjoying Mojave

 

[Jeep0257wy]

I had the same problem due to not having a passsord. There must be millions of people that will have a similar problem. How do they let this happen? What a pain in the ass!
[doublepost=1538063683][/doublepost]

Although this thread was created a couple of months ago, as of today (Sept 24th 2018) the login issue still persists with the official release of macOS Mojave.
For anyone who doesn't have a password set for their user account, boot the computer in safe mode. This will allow you to log in to the problematic account by hitting the 'return/enter' key.
Navigate to System Preferences > Users & Groups. From there you can set a password for your user account.
Once done, reboot the Mac. When the login screen appears, enter your password and start enjoying Mojave

You nailed it for me. Thanks!

 

[GrowlyBird]

If we could put aside the soapboxes for a moment: there are cases and reasons for not having a password on a computer. (For example, all the sensitive data is otherwise encrypted.)

Mojave only needs a password the first time you login. I consider this a bug. Do the safe start as mentioned in an earlier post (hold down shift when you boot). Add a password, then restart into normal mode. Immediately go back to System Preferences and clear the password. The next time you restart it will work without needing a password.

 

[sstark]

If we could put aside the soapboxes for a moment: there are cases and reasons for not having a password on a computer. (For example, all the sensitive data is otherwise encrypted.)

Mojave only needs a password the first time you login. I consider this a bug. Do the safe start as mentioned in an earlier post (hold down shift when you boot). Add a password, then restart into normal mode. Immediately go back to System Preferences and clear the password. The next time you restart it will work without needing a password.

[doublepost=1540452941][/doublepost]Thanks GrowlyBird.
I've tried your fix several times but each time the login is refused. What am I doing wrong????
My process -
1.turn off iMac
2. turn on iMac while holding the "Shift" key - I've tried this before the Apple sound and at the Apple sound and after the Apple sound
3. login page arrives so input a password - but no success, the password box just quivers.

Sooooo frustrating.

Can anyone help please.

 

[McNeese]

Consider this, If someone breaks into your home and grabs your laptop. If you use the laptop like me, then your banking information, users, passwords, tax information will be quite easily accessible

You ought to encrypt the drive and put a password on it. I believe FileVault requires a password

I know you think that is of the upmost importance, but Apple shouldn't force people to use a password. For instance, I run a lab full of public use computers. It is silly to put a password on those.

 

[chrfr]

I know you think that is of the upmost importance, but Apple shouldn't force people to use a password. For instance, I run a lab full of public use computers. It is silly to put a password on those.

It may be "silly" for the public user to have a password (though you can set them to automatically log in), but you surely don't want any random user to walk up to that computer and make system changes or perhaps even render the computer unbootable. This is what you'd get if there were no password.

 

[MasterAivan]

Hey everybody

I updated to macOS Mojave (beta) a couple of minutes ago, after enrolling my Mac and downloading the official, public beta.

However, when it was done updating, it returned to the login screen and asked for my password. Every other version of macOS has done this as well, even though I don't have a password. Everytime I'm asked to enter my password, I just hit enter and it was fine.

Mojave doesn't let me press enter, you have to type something there. But I don't have a password...
What should I do?

(I understand this is a bug, but even if they'd fix this in a later release, I can't update since I cannot log in!)...


Any input is more than appreciated!
Thanks!!!

Here we go my friend . . . sorry, too busy awhile ago
To start up in safe mode:

1. Start or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key. The Apple logo appears on your display. If you don't see the Apple logo, learn what to do.
2. Release the Shift key when you see the login window. If your startup disk is encrypted with FileVault, you might be asked to log in twice: once to unlock the startup disk, and again to log in to the Finder.
3. Go to System Preferences, click the lock to make a changes, supply a new password and restart.

To leave safe mode, restart your Mac without pressing any keys during startup.

 

[hobnail]

[doublepost=1540452941][/doublepost]Thanks GrowlyBird.
I've tried your fix several times but each time the login is refused. What am I doing wrong????
My process -
1.turn off iMac
2. turn on iMac while holding the "Shift" key - I've tried this before the Apple sound and at the Apple sound and after the Apple sound
3. login page arrives so input a password - but no success, the password box just quivers.

Sooooo frustrating.

Can anyone help please.

Did you get anywhere with this? I've just updated to Mojave and am having this problem. I don't have a password. I start in safe mode but it still can't get past the login page.

 

[MasterAivan]

Did you get anywhere with this? I've just updated to Mojave and am having this problem. I don't have a password. I start in safe mode but it still can't get past the login page.

Hi sstark,

I hope these would help you;
- Make sure you're on safe mode state before entering your un and pw
- You've mentioned when you enter your pw it was quivering, it simply means you've enter a wrong pw

• I guess you should try this . . .
  Use Recovery Mode
  1. Turn off your Mac.
  2. Press the power button whilst holding Command + R.
  3. The Mac will boot into Recovery Mode – when you see the load bar appear you can let go of the keys.
  4. Select 'Disk Utility' and press Continue.
  5. Go to Utilities > Terminal.
  6. Enter 'resetpassword' and press the Return key.

 

[hobnail]

Sorted, thanks.

 

[chibirakun]

Hi sstark,

I hope these would help you;
- Make sure you're on safe mode state before entering your un and pw
- You've mentioned when you enter your pw it was quivering, it simply means you've enter a wrong pw

• I guess you should try this . . .
  Use Recovery Mode
  1. Turn off your Mac.
  2. Press the power button whilst holding Command + R.
  3. The Mac will boot into Recovery Mode – when you see the load bar appear you can let go of the keys.
  4. Select 'Disk Utility' and press Continue.
  5. Go to Utilities > Terminal.
  6. Enter 'resetpassword' and press the Return key.

Hey there, I'm experiencing the very same problem, I followed your instructions, reached Disk Utility but can't find "Terminal" anywhere to reset my password...

 

[hobnail]

Hey there, I'm experiencing the very same problem, I followed your instructions, reached Disk Utility but can't find "Terminal" anywhere to reset my password...

Hi. I had the same issue. Use "safe mode". You'll see instructions higher up.
[doublepost=1543178475][/doublepost]Anyone using a windows keyboard - you won't be able to get into safe mode or recovery mode. Those commands don't work, so you'll think you're going into safe mode but it's just doing normal startup. You'll need to borrow or buy a mac keyboard. Took me ages to figure this out. Thanks, apple.

 

[jlcunnin]

Hi. I had the same issue. Use "safe mode". You'll see instructions higher up.
[doublepost=1543178475][/doublepost]Anyone using a windows keyboard - you won't be able to get into safe mode or recovery mode. Those commands don't work, so you'll think you're going into safe mode but it's just doing normal startup. You'll need to borrow or buy a mac keyboard. Took me ages to figure this out. Thanks, apple.

I did have a password before but after the update the screen goes black for a second after I enter it and then returns to the login screen again. This happens in safe mode as well. Also, going into recovery mode I could not find the "terminal" section in disk utility either. Please help!