Lost password and now totally locked out!

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Level 1

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Lost password and now totally locked out!

Hi!

I have a massive problem that makes you cry, figuratively speaking. Locked out of the computer. Work files, pictures and documents in general.

Thought my password was in my muscle memory, but unfortunately not. So now I have tried everything in the following order that Apple wants me to do.

Last thing I remembered was to deactivate the computer, new keychain over my other Apple products. And it happened. But now I can't get further than selecting my admin account and entering the password. The password that I don't have. And if I enter it wrong, the ability to try another password is blocked for 15 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, etc. It's terrible! I don't want to erase my computer and everything I have on the computer. Cmd + R, or option blah blah doesn't seem to work either. I can't get the Terminal up. What can I do?

Please, can someone help me?

Mac mini (M1, 2020)

Posted on Mar 21, 2025 8:06 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

199,174 points

Mar 22, 2025 8:42 AM in response to Phreakii

“Lost password and now totally locked out!: ”

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Thank you for the Photo.

Links to Go By:

If you Forgot your Mac Login Password - Apple Support

: If you can't Reset your Mac Login Password - Apple Support

Contact Apple Support:

Looks like you can’t go through iCloud. So, a reinstall would be the route to take, if you can’t get past this. I’d say give Apple a call before proceeding with doing so. While speaking with them, you can put your iPhone on speakerphone > turn on the camera > open the Camera app > and then hover the camera over what you Clare seeing. Doing so, then can run you though this easier: See my User Tip: Screensharing MacOS FaceTime to Easily Converse Over-the-Phone with Apple Support - User Tip

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

199,174 points

Mar 21, 2025 8:25 PM in response to Phreakii

"Lost password and now totally locked out!: [...]And if I enter it wrong, the ability to try another password is blocked for 15 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, etc. It's terrible! I don't want to erase my computer and everything I have on the computer. Cmd + R, or option blah blah doesn't seem to work either. I can't get the Terminal up. What can I do?"

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Troubleshooting Locked Mac Account Login:

I. Wait Out the Time Allotted:

If prompted to wait for a certain amount of time before trying this once more, then you need to STOP fiddling with it. Once this time has passed, reset the password, sign the following info...

Reset the Mac Password:

Where to Reset it...

Start Here: Reset your Mac Login Password - Apple Support. Reset it using the login screen. You'd go through your Apple ID to perform this. Find out more here: If you Forgot your Mac Login Password - Apple Support. Make sure that caps lock is not enabled when typing it.

II. Troubleshooting the Reset:

A. Go here, if having issues: If you can't Reset your Mac Login Password - Apple Support

B. Learn from This:

Important: Keep a handwritten, hardcopy list of your passwords. Store it in a secret location that only you are knowledgeable of, and only you have access to. And, on top of that, don't share you passwords with anyone whomsoever.

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

199,174 points

Mar 22, 2025 12:51 AM in response to Phreakii

“Tested with a-id too, so I'm past that. I'll take a picture of the screen tomorrow if that can help more. Now I don't have the phone yet.”

———-

All another reason to write down passwords. :)

Getting into your Mac from Here:

Go Here: Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple Silicon - Apple Support

Yes. Providing a photo of your screen would be great. IMPORTANT: Be certain to block any personal information (ie names and time) by covering it with red-colored rectangles and such, through use of the Photos app.

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Answer 4

Phreakii Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 21, 2025 10:57 PM in response to TheLittles

Thanks for your long and detailed answer!

Unfortunately, I've done all this and ended up further along in the problem.

I don't end up on the regular login page anymore. Now it starts up directly in the recovery manager. Where in the top left there is only delete, restart and about application. Is there still an option to start in the recovery mode, cmd + r something like that. Seems like I never end up there so I can’t try the terminal. Read and tried most of the stuff on the links you gave me.

Only that I should fill in the admin account password. But then a single box opens where I then made a mistake again. I've never had to write down passwords for the computer itself, but for my programs. I wish I had done the same today. Been away from the computer for a long time due to illness so everything has become as it is.

Tested with a-id too, so I'm past that. I'll take a picture of the screen tomorrow if that can help more. Now I don't have the phone yet.