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Can I reset my MacBook Pro M4 password without using my Apple ID


Yes, you can reset your MacBook Pro M4 password without using your Apple ID. Here are the detailed steps for different scenarios:

Using Recovery Mode

1. Restart your MacBook Pro M4: Hold the power button until you see the startup options.
2. Enter Recovery Mode: Click on Options and then Continue.
3. Open Terminal: From the Utilities menu, select Terminal.
4. Reset Password: Type `resetpassword` in the Terminal window and press Return. This will open the Reset Password tool.
5. Select User Account: Choose the user account for which you want to reset the password.
6. Create New Password: Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new password for the selected user account.
7. Restart: Once the password is reset, restart your MacBook Pro M4 and log in with the new password[1][2][5].

Using a FileVault Recovery Key

If you have a FileVault Recovery Key, you can use it to reset your password:

1. Enter Incorrect Password: At the login screen, enter an incorrect password three times.
2. Restart and Show Options: You will see an option to "Restart and Show password reset options." Click this.
3. Enter Recovery Key: After restarting, select the option to reset using your recovery key and enter the 28-character key.
4. Reset Password: Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password.
5. Restart: Once done, restart your MacBook Pro M4 and log in with the new password[1][2].

Factory Reset (Data Loss Warning)

If you don't have access to any recovery methods and are willing to erase all data, you can perform a factory reset:

1. Enter Recovery Mode: Follow the steps above to enter Recovery Mode.
2. Erase Disk: Use Disk Utility to erase the startup disk.
3. Reinstall macOS: Reinstall macOS from the recovery environment. This will erase all data on the MacBook Pro M4[2][8].

Important Considerations

- Activation Lock: If Activation Lock is enabled, you may need the Apple ID password to fully reset the device. In such cases, contacting Apple support might be necessary[8].
- Data Backup: Always ensure you have a backup of your important data before performing any reset or erase operations.

Citations:
[1] https://setapp.com/how-to/how-to-reset-lost-mac-password
[2] https://applemagazine.com/how-to-unlock-a-macbook-pro-without-a-password-or-apple-id/
[3] https://www.rogers.com/support/mobility/how-to-reset-your-apple-id-password
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89zLXfZpmxc
[5] https://blog.lastpass.com/posts/forgot-mac-password
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1nt2fzEkw
[7] https://support.apple.com/en-us/102673
[8] https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/1euqsa1/reset_imac_without_apple_id_password/