Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD
Written on June 22, 2008 by Jenny Kortina and 31 people have commented
I wrote about this a while back on my blog, hackaddict, but it was such a popular post I thought I’d give it a revisit. A lot of people buy used Macs, and they often run into the problem of not knowing the admin password, so here is a way to get around not knowing the admin password on Macs.
To reset your OS X password without an OS X CD you need to enter terminal and create a new admin account:
- Reboot
- Hold apple + s down after you hear the chime.
- When you get text prompt enter in these terminal commands to create a brand new admin account (hitting return after each line):
- mount -uw /
- rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
- shutdown -h now
- After rebooting you should have a brand new admin account. When you login as the new admin you can simply delete the old one and you’re good to go again!
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#1 John says:So - it’s just that simple to hack a Mac OS machine if you have physical access? Are passwords basically useless then?
#2 EW says:You fail to mention that in the process you delete ALL of your information.
That is not resetting the OS X password, that is called creating a new account and taking over someone else’s computer with a fresh start. The title of this post should be changed.
#3 Todd Baur says:Yeah this is a bad idea. Sorry, but removing that file will just trick OS X into thinking its the first time its been powered up, and take you through registration.
So if you absolutely need to reset your password without an Apple CD available, you’re better doing this.
#4 flysi says:Does this work if a firmware password is enabled? Cuz otherwise it’s a little disappointing to think it would be that easy to snag a computer and wipe all of its data, even if the owner, thinking he’s being all security-conscious, has bothered to enable a firmware password…
#5 The Oz says:actualy no it does not delete the user account to do that you would have to do this
rm -R /Users/Username
The command simply deletes the prefs for the apple setup assistant and it could be another way to regain access should you not have your Install DVD. After running the command and rebooting youll be brought to the Apple Setup Assistant where it will allow you to create another admin user which in turn allows you to enable the root user and then regain access to your files.
Resetting a firmware password is as easy as changing the amount of ram in the machine and them zapping pram, that takes care of any firmware passwords.
#6 Honza says:>rm -R /Users/Username
That removes the users home directory. It doesn’t actually remove the account from the user list.
#7 Rick says:If you’re already going into single user mode, do it the right way
#8 SHRIKEE says:mount -uw /
passwd *username*
reboot now
Obviously replace *username* with the desired login name. If you don’t know it, go in to /Users and see which folders are available…
cd /Users
ls -a
#9 /I3az/ says:@John
All Personal Computers can be “hacked” this way. Even BIOS password can be got around by just pulling out the batteries!
Thats why on the first Mission Impossible film u have the computer locked up in a secure room
#10 The Tech Juice says:Awesome!
I had no idea. I recently just reformatted a Mac. Had I known this I could have saved valuable time and effort.
Thanks!
#11 devious says:Hi i have a dual os mac with windows and mac how do i get to command line on the mac as when my pc reboots it loads up windows asap or if i keep hold of alt it gives me option to choose but then when i click on mac and hold apple and s it doesnt take me to command prompt
#12 flysi says:@ devious: When booted into OS X, change your startup disk to the Mac HD in System Prefs > Startup Disk. When you reboot, it will boot into OS X by default (instead of Windows), and then you can boot into Single User mode.
Oh, and using punctuation is not a bad habit to get into.
#13 Nick says:This worked perfectly, thanks so much
#14 Jason Rogers says:Awesome, will definitly write this down. Will come in handy. Great post!!
#15 3G iPhone says:Excellent, I am printing this of mow. Will come in handy!
#16 cs says:Hi,
I tried this on my personal MacBook, which runs the latest version of Leopard and it worked exactly as advertised.
I REALLY want to do this with my MacBook Pro from work, which runs Tiger 10.4.10. Can anyone confirm that this also works with Tiger?? I’m a little concerned about trying it on my work machine. I can’t make a true backup without Admin rights…
If anyone knows if this works in Tiger, please let me know.
Thank you!
#17 antoine villalobos says:i tried everything thanx so much ur the best
im am so happy
#18 Laurens Bainton says:EW says:
You fail to mention that in the process you delete ALL of your information.
That is not resetting the OS X password, that is called creating a new account and taking over someone else’s computer with a fresh start. The title of this post should be changed.
MY REPLY: by the way i did that to my mac and i got all the data back. The hard drive didn’t
delete it
#19 NJ says:…So i did what was said, before knowing there was notes beneath, and the mac sounds the mac chime during start-up. However, upon entering the OS screen, where its loading…it has a small folder icon, and flashing to Mac face Icon….Wont do anything, acts as if everything is wiped…which means I would need a CD. I dont have one…Any words…..Thanx
#20 ModelBoi . . . says:Ok… Here is the Story… I have a Macbook SO X tiger… It was stolen 8 day’s ago… with all my stuff… including my battery, charger, CD and even my I-pod… I just got it back today… but the police told me the CD and ipod was no where to be found,,,
Here’s my issue… They never found the guy… But The Theif stole my password and changed everything !!! He put his own password! …. Plus now I don’t even Have a CD to reset it!!!!! Can someone please help me hack my own computer?!…. Does this work for my laptop?… All my modeling stuff and info has been lost!… I use this for work!… Please… Can someone be of any assistance… (These past few days have been crazy…. sorry for the begging….)
ModelBoi….
I’ll check this from time to time…. Thanks…
#21 ModelBoi . . . says:I will still be checking it from time to time… Any help would be appreciated . . .
-Modelboi
:]
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