Reset admin password Mac: single user mode, OS X

Reset admin password Mac: single user mode, OS X

This tutorial will teach you how to reset your admin password in Mac OS X 10.6 without the installation discs. This method will be done through a system reboot in Single User Mode.

Reset the admin password on Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6

The below instructions also applies to Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard).

  • Boot your Mac while holding the Command + S keys down to access the Single User Mode. Then run the following commands:
  • Type mount -uw / and press Enter.
  • Type launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist and press Enter.
  • Type ls /Users and press Enter (this command list the all users accounts registered on the computer).
  • Type dscl . -passwd /Users/username password and press Enter. Replace username by the name of the desired user account. Replace password with your new password.
  • Type reboot and press Enter.

Reset Admin Password on Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

The procedure is slightly different for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger). Restart the Mac in Single User Mode and run the following commands:

  • Type sh /etc/rc / and press Enter.
  • Type passwd username and press Enter. Replace username by the name of the desired user account.
  • Enter the new password (it does not appear on screen).
  • Type reboot and press Enter.
Any more Mac questions? Check out our forum!
Subject Replies
I can't open my flash drive files 33
DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET 5
Launching Internet After DNS Probe 82
3 beeps....won't turn on 1
How to type square bracket on MacBook Pro 3
My laptop does not recognize my mp3 player 82
How to execute .exe file in MacBook 21
DNS probe finished no internet on Mac 14
Error code: DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET 5
Excel and keyboard problems on a mac 23

MacOS