I changed the account name on my Admin account and now I can't log in

[mango2016]

Macbook Pro 2017 running on macOS High Sierra.

Okay, so I can log into my computer fine (so far) but if I were to try to make changes, like in System Preferences and it asked for my Admin Username and Password, both slots show up empty and if I put in my username and password as they are, it won't accept it. I am still on my admin account by the way.

Yes, I was one of those idiots that ignored the warning when I went to Advanced Options that I might not be able to log in if I changed that info. I had just really wanted a new username in the corner of my Macbook *sigh*

How can I fix my mistake?

 

[chscag]

See if this LINK helps.

 

[hobowankenobi]

I would consider setting up a new admin account, via command line. Once you have a new fully functioning admin account, you can more easily fix or replace your previous account to get back to your data.

Here is a good write up for resetting the preference that you get on a new Mac to setup a new account.

Do steps 1 to 6 and you will have a new account.

Once that is done, you can work on fixing your previous account. Remember this will build a new, fresh account, and not touch your old account.

 

[Fishrrman]

Changing the name of your user account is something you should NEVER attempt to do unless you have the knowledge as to WHAT to do and how to accomplish it.

Change the password? Yes, that's fine.
But the account name?
You could end up in a bag of hurt.

I'd try the link hobo suggested above.
If that just confuses you, come back, and perhaps we can make other suggestions...

 

[mango2016]

Okay, so I haven't tried any of the links yet since I haven't had time, but earlier today I connected my laptop to my university's wifi and was prompted to enter my username and password. It was normal -- my username was there, I entered my password and it went through.

But it still doesn't work when I do anything else, why did it work with the wifi situation? I will still go ahead and try that link, though.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Accounts are much more messy than they appear at first glance.

Even more so if you are connecting to an enterprise network with a directory server...sounds like that is not the case. If you have a directory server, the credentials would get passed to it for logging in and perhaps other services (wifi, email, etc.).

Just logging in does not mean you have access to many other services, not to mention have correct permissions.

There are ways to fix, but for me the easiest is have a working, fully functional admin account.

 

[mango2016]

Thank you! I used the link from maketecheasier and I think it worked. When it asks me for Admin permission it’s functioning like normal again.

 

[Ashishpanthi]

I would consider setting up a new admin account, via command line. Once you have a new fully functioning admin account, you can more easily fix or replace your previous account to get back to your data.

Here is a good write up for resetting the preference that you get on a new Mac to setup a new account.

Do steps 1 to 6 and you will have a new account.

Once that is done, you can work on fixing your previous account. Remember this will build a new, fresh account, and not touch your old account.

I have similar problem swapped Mac with friend and changed user name in setting and now unable to log in to Mac. I have another user account with admin privilege but unable to log into old user so cannot retirve data in previous user. I need those data as it contains my study material and passwords( System usage shows 80 gb with total of 130 gb used )

 

[Ashishpanthi]

Thank you! I used the link from maketecheasier and I think it worked. When it asks me for Admin permission it’s functioning like normal again.

Can I have that link from maketecheasier

 

[hobowankenobi]

Here is the old link. I don't know if this will still work on the lasted versions of MacOS.

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If you can log in with a different account, you can fix the busted one.

1. Log in with the alternate admin account.
2. In System Preferences/Settings, find the broken account.
3. Delete the broken account, being very careful to select the option to NOT delete or modify the user directory.


Step 3 will only delete the user name and password, NOT the home directory, so all user data is preserved.


4. In the /Users folder, find the home directory of the broken (now deleted) account.
5. Change the directory (folder) name if needed. Name it EXACTLY what you want the user short name to be.


Unix (MacOS) has both a long name and short name for all accounts...the short name must be lower case, no spaces. Example:

Long Name: John Smith
Short Name: johnsmith


Keep in mind, the short name can be anything you want, but you can't change it. Ever. And the user directory has to match the short name exactly.

6. Create a new user, and make sure the short name matches the home directory name exactly. When you hit the create button, you will get a prompt warning: "There is already an existing home directory. Do you want to use it?"

7. Yes! Now the new account will be linked to the existing directory, and all the permissions should be perfect.
8. Restart the Mac, and log into the new account, with the new password, to access the old data.

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In the example above, after deleting the old user account, one would rename the home directory: johnsmith, and then create a new user account with the long name: John Smith, and a short name: johnsmith.