Can't set account password in Sequoia

[richardallan]

I have been using my computer with no account password. I have an administer account and there are no other users. I want to set an account password but there is only an option to change the password not just set one. If I enter a new password without an old one it tells me the old password is incorrect. Surely there is an easier way to do this.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

You're not "Supposed" to be able to set up the user with no password.... so however you did that, might impact how you add one.

 

[DigiH]

I'm pretty sure you must have set a password when creating your initial and only user, the fact that you think you might not have a password is that you likely have Automatic log in set for that single user, so you've never been asked for a password when starting your Mac.

Turning Automatic log in off will ask you for the password whenever you log in, probably what you are trying to achieve. The big problem here being that you don't seem to remember which password you might have chosen during the initial setup.

Any possibility it might be some password you prefer to use for any of your Macs/iPhones … best to try changing the password until you get the correct old one accepted, then make sure to enter a memorable new one and only turn Automatic log in off then.

Alternatively create a new user, also with Admin rights, move all your stuff over to that new user, then delete your old 'forgotten password' user, leaving you with a single user again with a known password for you to turn off Automatic log in.

 

[richardallan]

I was able to set up a new Admin account. I was just going to use this to log in then switch accounts. I went back to the original account and was able to set a password. Don't know if I was having a brain explosion or something but anyway, thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

Also, you can have an account with no password. It says enter a password of four or more characters or leave the password field blank. Something like that.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Also, you can have an account with no password. It says enter a password of four or more characters or leave the password field blank. Something like that.

Hmm 🤔 Nothing about "Blank," even for a Standard user

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I was able to set up a new Admin account. I was just going to use this to log in then switch accounts. I went back to the original account and was able to set a password"

That's the way to do it.
Good solve.

 

[richardallan]

Here is a screenshot of the Change Password Box: