Why is my password not recognized during a macOS Sequoia update?

Question

Why is my password not recognized during a macOS Sequoia update?

There's a new MacOS update available - Sequoia 15.1.1 - and I've downloaded it and I'm ready to install.

When I click on Update it asks for my password. I type it in, but the dialog box shakes its head in the "Wrong Password" way. It *is* the right password. I can log in with it, I can change it using Settings > Touch ID & Password, but the Update dialog won't accept it.

I've tried disconnecting all the peripherals and rebooting in Safe Mode, but still no joy. Any ideas?

MST

MacBook Pro M1 Max

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.1

Posted on Nov 20, 2024 1:13 AM

Reply

Answer 1

PRP_53

Level 10

91,933 points

Nov 20, 2024 4:27 AM in response to Martin S Taylor

Sorry, but using this Type of Setup, using what appears to be 2 Separate Partitions ( NOT Volumes ) on an Apple Silicon Drive ?

That this outside of my skill set

I do not understand why this would be needed but as it has been done, that might be reason enough .

It is far easier to add a Volume ( Not Partition ) and install a second version of macOS

Use more than one version of macOS on Mac - Apple Support

You may consider the below information as a starting point

Partition a physical disk in Disk Utility on Mac

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 20, 2024 3:44 AM in response to PRP_53

There was only one Administrator Account; I created another, but had the same problem.

So I tried to reset the password, as you suggested. When I typed resetpassword, I got this message:

followed by this:

When I clicked "Next" I got this:

which didn't allow anything useful.

I tried restarting using the other partition (Procyon) and updated this to 15.1.1 without problems. I then tried to set the start up disk back to my main partition (Aldebaran) and got this message:

Selecting Authorise Users... gave me a pop-up of all the users on Aldebaran. I was able to select the administrator, entered the password, etc. etc. but was then returned to the same screen pictured above ("This volume does not have any authorised users for this computer.")

So... where now? I tried completely reinstalling Sequoia on the drive, and this worked – I now have updated to 15.1.1 – but there's obviously something wrong, since "This volume does not have any authorised users for this computer." even after I've reinstalled Sequoia.

MST

Reply

Answer 3

PRP_53

Level 10

91,933 points

Nov 20, 2024 2:50 AM in response to Martin S Taylor

Is there more than 1 Administrator Account on this machine ?

If so, log out the current account and back into the Other Admin Account

Worst case scenario

Reset Computer Password for the Administrator Account Password

Apple Silicon M1 / M2 / M3 / M4 Computer

Choose Apple menu > > Shut Down

If using a Bluetooth Keyboard with Rechargeable Battery - Cable the Keyboard to computer for this unique purpose.

Do not attempt a Restart to access this feature.

The computer Must be Shutdown and pause for about 10 seconds before moving forwards

Press and hold the power button on your Mac until you see “Loading startup options.”

Click Options, then click Continue.

Top Tool Bar >> Utilities >> Terminal

Type resetpassword as one word and no spaces

Press Return key

Follow the prompts and remember the New Password

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 20, 2024 4:42 AM in response to PRP_53

Sorry, I mistyped. Aldebaran and Procyon are, of course, on the same partition but separate System Volumes. There's one physical drive, which holds one APFS Container, which holds two System Volumes.

Reply