I have a couple of MacBooks that need the password reset for the sole local admin user account (M1 MacBook Pro running macOS 12.x and Intel MacBook Air running macOS 10.15.x). When I boot into recovery mode on both Macs (press & hold power button on M1, Command + R keys on Intel) it puts me straight to the Password Reset screen. The problem is this Password Reset screen prompts for the Apple ID account and the client's (deceased) estate lawyer does not know these credentials, nor does any of the client's family members. Is there a way to reset the local user password without trying to reset it via Apple ID?
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Can't reset password for Mac login, Apple ID unknown
- Thread starter crashintoty
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Yeah, I told the lawyer they likely have to contact Apple with the death certificate.
So, what prompts Recovery mode to go straight to the Password Reset screen instead of the normal Recovery mode screen where you have the option to restore from Time Machine, reinstall macOS, run Disk Utility, etc.?? I tried to re-create the same problem on a 2017 MacBook (sole local admin account linked to Apple ID), but I get the normal Recovery mode screen and not Password Reset screen. I could run resetpassword in Terminal too and it prompted me to change the password, no Apple ID stuff. Any ideas?
Totally guessing. But maybe multiple incorrect password attempts if somebody has been trying to get access.
Yeah, good guess. I just tried 50+ wrong attempts on the test MacBook Air and it still allows password reset in Recovery mode. Weird.
Apple has a page that might be useful:
support.apple.com
How to request access to a deceased family member’s Apple Account - Apple Support
This article explains how to request access to or delete someone’s Apple Account and the data stored with it after they have passed away.