How to Unlock a MacBook Without an Apple ID

Locked out of my MacBook & I don’t remember my login password! (And maybe my Apple ID too?) This actually happens to many of us. So, don’t panic, because I’ve got a couple of easy ways for you to get back into the system, assuming it’s your MacBook.”

Important: These are the instructions for your own device, not for someone else’s MacBook or a used MacBook with Activation Lock enabled when it was connected with another person’s Apple ID. In this case, you don’t have the ability to disable it yourself. Apple does this because it’s very secure, so no one can steal it.

Quick Overview: What Kind of Lock Do You Have?

• Login password lock → You see the regular login screen with your username and password field, but you can’t remember the password. (This is the most common one.)
• Activation Lock → It asks for an Apple ID and password during setup (usually after erasing the Mac or on a used one you just got).

Most people are dealing with the login password. If it’s Activation Lock instead, jump to the last section—it’s a lot trickier to deal with.

Method 1: Reset Your Login Password in Recovery Mode (Easiest & Most Common)

This is the classic Recovery Mode method to reset your MacBook’s login password. It works on almost all MacBooks (Apple silicon or older Intel ones) and usually doesn’t require your Apple ID. Your files stay safe too.

Here’s how to do it, step by step:

• Turn off your MacBook completely. (Hold the power button if needed until it shuts down.)

If you have a newer MacBook with Apple silicon (M1, M2, M3, or M4 chip):

• Press and hold the power button until you see the “Loading startup options” screen.
• Click Options → Continue.

If it’s an older Intel-based MacBook:

• Turn it on and, right away, press Command (⌘) and R until it displays either the Apple logo or a globe.
• You will find yourself in Recovery Mode (it will look like the Utilities window).
• In the top menu bar, click **Utilities > Terminal**.
• Type the following command exactly in the Terminal window, and press Enter: resetpassword (no spaces between the words, one word only).
• A Reset Password window will appear.
• Select a user account from the list.
• Click Reset Password (or ‘I forgot my password’ if that’s the option).
• Type in a new strong password, verify it, and optionally add a tip.
• Click Save or OK.
• Click on Restart from the Apple menu in the upper left corner.
• Your Mac will then reboot, and you’ll be able to log in with your new password.

Quick tips:

• It takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
• If it asks you for Wi-Fi, you can go ahead and connect.
• Once you’re back in, you might need to re-enter passwords that you used for Wi-Fi or an app or two.

Method 2: Use Your FileVault Recovery Key (If You Turned On FileVault)

FileVault is Apple’s built-in encryption that keeps your MacBook’s data super safe. If you turned it on, you should have gotten a long recovery key (it looks like a string of letters and numbers, usually in groups of four like XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX).

If you still have that key, you can use it to reset your password right from the login screen—no need for Recovery Mode.

Here’s how:

• At the login screen, enter the wrong password three times.
• You’ll see a message pop up that says something like “Reset it using your recovery key” with a small arrow next to it.
• Click that arrow.
• Type in your recovery key exactly as it is (watch for the dashes and capitalization).
• Follow the prompts to create a brand-new password.
• Restart your Mac, and log in with the new password.

Easy, right? Your files stay safe and untouched.

Don’t have the recovery key anymore? No worries—just skip this and go back to the earlier methods (like using your Apple ID or Recovery Mode).

Pro tip for the future: If you ever enable FileVault again (go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → FileVault), make sure to write down or save that recovery key somewhere secure—like in a password manager or printed and stored safely. It’s a lifesaver!

Method 3: Use Another Admin Account (If You Have One)

Got a second admin account on your MacBook? That’s a lifesaver when you’re locked out of your main one. You can use that other admin account to reset the password—no Apple ID or Recovery Mode required. This works great for family setups or shared computers.

Here’s the simple way to do it:

• At the login screen, switch to the other admin account. (Click the user name or the little user icon to see the list.)
• Log in with that admin account’s password. (If you don’t remember it either, this method won’t work—try the other ones we talked about.)
• Once you’re in, click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner → System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
• Scroll down and click Users & Groups (or Users & Groups in older versions).
• Click the lock icon at the bottom left of the window, then enter the admin password to unlock the settings.
• In the list on the left, select the locked account (the one you can’t log into).
• Click Reset Password (or sometimes it says Change Password).
• Type in a new password, confirm it, and add a hint if you want.
• Click Change or OK.
• Log out of the admin account (Apple menu → Log Out).
• Back at the login screen, switch to your original account and log in with the brand-new password.

That’s it—super straightforward! Your files and everything else stay exactly where they are.

Method 4: Unlock with Your Apple Watch (If You Set It Up Before)

If you’ve paired your Apple Watch with your MacBook and turned on the “Unlock with Apple Watch” feature, this is one of the quickest ways to get in—no typing passwords at all.

Here’s how it works:

• Make sure you’re wearing your Apple Watch and it’s close to your MacBook (like on your wrist).
• At the login screen, double-click the side button on your Apple Watch (the one below the Digital Crown).

Your MacBook should unlock right away—like magic! (It uses Bluetooth and stays secure since only your Watch can do it.)

Not set up yet? No problem—you can enable it anytime once you’re back in: Go to System Settings → Touch ID & Password → turn on Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac. Super handy for everyday use!

What About Activation Lock? (The Tough One)

If your MacBook is showing an “Activation Lock” screen or asking for an Apple ID during setup, here’s the deal:

This is a built-in security feature that ties the Mac to the original owner’s Apple ID. It’s designed to stop thieves from using a stolen device, so you can’t just bypass it yourself.

The best ways forward are:

• Contact the previous owner (if you bought it used or got it from someone else). Ask them to go to iCloud.com, sign in, click Find My, select the MacBook, and choose Remove This Device (or Erase This Device then remove it). Once they do that, you can set it up with your own Apple ID.
• If it’s yours and you have proof of ownership (like a receipt, original box, or serial number matching your records), take it to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider. They can verify it’s yours and remove the lock for you.
• If you forgot your own Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com to recover or reset it. That’s usually the quickest fix if the Mac is tied to your account.

Important warning: Stay away from any websites, software, or “unlock services” that claim they can bypass Activation Lock for a fee. They’re almost always scams, and some can even brick your Mac or steal your info.

Extra Tips to Make Life Easier Next Time

Here are some quick, easy tips to never get locked out of your Mac again:

• Write down your FileVault recovery key and store it somewhere safe (not on the Mac!).
• Add a second admin account as a backup.
• Use a password manager (like iCloud Keychain) for your Apple ID.
• Back up with Time Machine regularly.
• If all else fails, call Apple Support—they’re great.

Wrapping Up – Unlock a MacBook Without an Apple ID

There you go, simple ways to unlock your MacBook without needing your Apple ID in most cases. Recovery Mode or a FileVault recovery key usually does the trick fast, with no data lost. These steps are for your own device only; if it’s not yours, reach out to the owner or Apple with proof. Stay safe, and hit up Apple Support if you get stuck.