Forgot MacBook password, recovery steps not matching instructions

I forgot my MacBook password (note: my Apple Account Password is fine, this is truly the device account-specific password), and am following the Apple Support instructions for recovery (If you forgot your Mac login password - Apple Support

).

I saw no message in the login screen, so I followed the Recovery Reset (link in the first step of Start up in Recovery Mode section).

Using Apple Silicon section, i got the Options screen (going through step 3).

Steps 4 and 5 both refer to things I might get — either a volume to recover or a user. However, I get a request for a Recovery Key, which I don’t have, so I’m a bit stuck. Any suggestions on how to move forward?

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Oct 11, 2025 8:00 PM

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Forgot MacBook password, recovery steps not matching instructions

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