Recover Admin password

[Ziggyj32]

Hi All

I am running Mac OS Catalina v10.15.7
I have a separate admin password for my mac and enabled filevault - i wrote both the admin password and the recovery key into a black book which my wife threw out. This is obviously very unfortunate. I tried to reset the admin password using the mount method (Command S) but it does not allow me to mount the drive, also internet recovery and resetting the password in terminal are both not working.

Any help would be hugely appreciated

Regards
Jack

 

[chrfr]

Hi All

I am running Mac OS Catalina v10.15.7
I have a separate admin password for my mac and enabled filevault - i wrote both the admin password and the recovery key into a black book which my wife threw out. This is obviously very unfortunate. I tried to reset the admin password using the mount method (Command S) but it does not allow me to mount the drive, also internet recovery and resetting the password in terminal are both not working.

Any help would be hugely appreciated

Regards
Jack

Without the recovery key or password, you have no way to recover your data if the disk is FileVault encrypted. You should back up whatever data you can access in your account and then reformat and start over.

 

[Ziggyj32]

OK thanks really appreciate your help - do you know how can i reformat when i cant access the disk utility? Is it the erase mac option in the top left of the screen?

 

[Fishrrman]

I think Apple can do this at an Apple Store genius bar.

HOWEVER, and THIS IS IMPORTANT:
You MUST have PROOF OF OWNERSHIP, or they will refuse.
Do you still have your original sales receipt?

My advice:
In the future, DO NOT use filevault or a firmware password.
Because you see now "what can happen" if you do...

 

[chrfr]

OK thanks really appreciate your help - do you know how can i reformat when i cant access the disk utility? Is it the erase mac option in the top left of the screen?

Can you start up from internet recovery or does the computer prompt for a password when you try that? If you can get into internet recovery, open Disk Utility from the menu that comes up and choose "erase" from there.
Edit: the advice not to use FileVault is not a good suggestion if you are at all concerned about your data integrity and security. It's just a necessity to take the appropriate precautions regarding the password.