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nicolasmacario
User level: Level 1 (10 points)

How to log in to a new Macbook Air M1 with forgotten Mac account password?

Hi there, I recently bought a new Macbook air M1 for my mother, to replace her old machine. I set it up as a new mac since I had no time machine on her old one.

The mac asked me for a Mac account pass and I thought I knew What I had put in. But I did not. The rest I jotted it down so I have her apple ID and pass, but now she cannot log into her new laptop since we don not know what I put as a first password, and when doing all the process of ressting it with terminal it takes me to a place where it asks for a recovery key I did not put either. How can I sort this out? Thanks in advance.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Can't log in

Posted on Oct 3, 2026 1:32 PM

8 replies

Chattanoogan
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)

Oct 3, 2026 1:36 PM in response to nicolasmacario

It sounds like the Mac login password was somehow “fumbled.”


Your process ahead is described here:


If you forgot your Mac login password - Apple Support


Don’t rush thru this procedure.


It covers a LOT of hardware and software. Not all steps will apply to your particular setup.




Chattanoogan
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)

Oct 3, 2026 1:55 PM in response to Chattanoogan

Also, MacBook Air M1s were produced in 2020-2022; are you sure that it’s “new” ???


As far as the File Vault Recovery Key, see this:


See the FileVault recovery key for your Mac in Passwords - Apple Support


If it’s asking for the File Vault Recovery Key (24-characters long), one was presumably created and displayed on the screen during setup.


Chattanoogan
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)

Oct 3, 2026 1:55 PM in response to Chattanoogan

Also, MacBook Air M1s were produced in 2020-2022; are you sure that it’s “new” ???


As far as the File Vault Recovery Key, see this:


See the FileVault recovery key for your Mac in Passwords - Apple Support


If it’s asking for the File Vault Recovery Key (24-characters long), one was presumably created and displayed on the screen during setup.


Limnos
User level: Level 10 (462,771 points)

Oct 4, 2026 8:47 AM in response to nicolasmacario

If it truly has a filevault key set on it then it was not refurbished properly and you should return it, or at least contact the vendor about what to do next. Note this warning:

WARNING: Don’t forget your recovery key. If you turn on FileVault and then forget your login password and can’t reset it, and you also forget your recovery key, you won’t be able to log in, and your files and settings will be lost forever. - Protect data on your Mac with FileVault - Apple Support


nicolasmacario Author
User level: Level 1 (10 points)

Oct 4, 2026 6:51 AM in response to Chattanoogan

New, for her, I meant.

It is a refurbished certified machine.

nicolasmacario Author
User level: Level 1 (10 points)

Oct 4, 2026 6:52 AM in response to Chattanoogan

I never set or put this key code, never had I done it in any of my other machines.

Chattanoogan
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)

Oct 4, 2026 8:45 AM in response to nicolasmacario

The code is set automatically by the machine if the individual setting it up selects “Enable File Vault”


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256369854