Administrator password reset on old macbook pro

Question

Level 1

15 points

Administrator password reset on old macbook pro

I have an old 2012 Macbook that has a disc reader. We are trying to read and copy an old dvd from family event. The macbook can read the disc but we need to the admin password to install software to copy. We can't recall the admin password. When prompted to reset using the apple id, it says the apple id is incorrect. We reset the apple id password and it still says it is incorrect. Is there some reason it does not recognize the current apple id and password? Using same email address for Apple id as we did 13 years ago.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Jul 20, 2025 2:40 PM

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Answer 1

MartinR

Level 7

23,638 points

Jul 20, 2025 4:40 PM in response to JudyV63

It would help to know the exact model Mac that you have and the version of OS X/macOS that is on it.

Can you get to System Preferences > Users & Groups to see what user accounts exist on the Mac and which one(s) are admin accounts? Best if you can post a screenshot.

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Answer 2

Jul 20, 2025 3:41 PM in response to JudyV63

JudyV63 wrote:

I have an old 2012 Macbook that has a disc reader. We are trying to read and copy an old dvd from family event. The macbook can read the disc but we need to the admin password to install software to copy.

We can't recall the admin password.

And how are you logged into the mac without the passwd..?

Are you say the logged in account is not the admin account?

Did you try using Disk Utility to create a disk image of the DVD and then burn a copy from that image?

See if there is anything useful here—

best way,copy dvd onto hard drive - Apple Community

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Answer 3

JudyV63 Author

Level 1

15 points

Jul 20, 2025 6:02 PM in response to MartinR

4 GB memory 2.3 GHz Quad core intel core i7

macOS Catalina version 10.15.7

I can log in under my user id but need the administrator approval for the software. My husband had the administrator account and password isn't what he thought. Not recognizing his current apple id to reset and he just did a password reset.

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Answer 4

JudyV63 Author

Level 1

15 points

Jul 20, 2025 6:03 PM in response to leroydouglas

I can log into my user account but my husband can't log into the admin account. We have a newer mac and rarely use this old one. I will try the disk utility.

Thank you!

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