Macbook admin user is locked?

Tried to log in to an admin user account on my MacBook, but received a message that this account was locked. Most likely, this is because someone in my family attempted to log in to this account by mistake and entered an incorrect password several times.


The password that I have for this account should still be valid and has not been compromised. Is there a way to "unlock" this admin user account so that the correct password can be entered, or is the only option to reset the password?


Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.0

Posted on Jan 4, 2023 09:25 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 5, 2023 03:07 PM

Hey mar9801,


To regain access to your account, the password would need to be reset.


You can find the steps to do that here: If you forgot your Mac login password


"Option 1: Restart and show password options

Login window showing option to restart and show password reset options

  1. If you see the option to restart and show password reset options, click it to restart your Mac. Then take one of these steps:
    • Sign in with your Apple ID, if asked. You might also be asked to enter the verification code sent to your other devices.
    • Enter your FileVault recovery key, if asked. It's the long string of letters and numbers you received when you turned on FileVault and chose to create a recovery key instead of allowing your iCloud account (Apple ID) to unlock your disk.

2. Select a user that you want to reset the password for, then click Next.

3. Enter your new password information, then click Next. 

4. When the password reset is completed, click Restart.

Option 2: Reset using your Apple ID

Login window showing option to reset it using your Apple ID

  1. If you see the option to reset using your Apple ID, click it.
    • If your Mac restarts, follow the steps for option 1, above.
    • If your Mac doesn't restart, but immediately asks for your Apple ID, enter that information and click Reset Password.

2. If you're asked to create a new keychain to store the user's passwords, click OK to restart your Mac.

3. If you're asked to select an admin user you know the password for, click “Forgot all passwords?”.

4. If you see a Reset Password window with the option to Deactivate Mac, click Deactivate Mac, then click Deactivate to confirm. This is temporary.

5. Enter your new password information, then click Next.

If this window shows multiple user accounts, click the Set Password button next to each account name, then enter the new password information for each account.

6. When the password reset is completed, click Restart.

Option 3: Reset using your recovery key

  1. Click the option to reset using your recovery key.
  2. Enter your FileVault recovery key. It's the long string of letters and numbers you received when you turned on FileVault and chose to create a recovery key instead of allowing your iCloud account (Apple ID) to unlock your disk.
  3. Enter your new password information, then click Reset Password."


Thanks!

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 5, 2023 03:07 PM in response to mar9801

Hey mar9801,


To regain access to your account, the password would need to be reset.


You can find the steps to do that here: If you forgot your Mac login password


"Option 1: Restart and show password options

Login window showing option to restart and show password reset options

  1. If you see the option to restart and show password reset options, click it to restart your Mac. Then take one of these steps:
    • Sign in with your Apple ID, if asked. You might also be asked to enter the verification code sent to your other devices.
    • Enter your FileVault recovery key, if asked. It's the long string of letters and numbers you received when you turned on FileVault and chose to create a recovery key instead of allowing your iCloud account (Apple ID) to unlock your disk.

2. Select a user that you want to reset the password for, then click Next.

3. Enter your new password information, then click Next. 

4. When the password reset is completed, click Restart.

Option 2: Reset using your Apple ID

Login window showing option to reset it using your Apple ID

  1. If you see the option to reset using your Apple ID, click it.
    • If your Mac restarts, follow the steps for option 1, above.
    • If your Mac doesn't restart, but immediately asks for your Apple ID, enter that information and click Reset Password.

2. If you're asked to create a new keychain to store the user's passwords, click OK to restart your Mac.

3. If you're asked to select an admin user you know the password for, click “Forgot all passwords?”.

4. If you see a Reset Password window with the option to Deactivate Mac, click Deactivate Mac, then click Deactivate to confirm. This is temporary.

5. Enter your new password information, then click Next.

If this window shows multiple user accounts, click the Set Password button next to each account name, then enter the new password information for each account.

6. When the password reset is completed, click Restart.

Option 3: Reset using your recovery key

  1. Click the option to reset using your recovery key.
  2. Enter your FileVault recovery key. It's the long string of letters and numbers you received when you turned on FileVault and chose to create a recovery key instead of allowing your iCloud account (Apple ID) to unlock your disk.
  3. Enter your new password information, then click Reset Password."


Thanks!

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Macbook admin user is locked?

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