Losing admin access to your Mac can be frustrating, especially if you need to make system changes or install software. Fortunately, macOS provides built-in recovery tools that allow you to regain admin privileges even without an existing admin account. In this guide, we’ll explore three effective methods to create a new admin account.
Method 1: Using Recovery Mode
Recovery Mode is a built-in feature that allows users to perform system repairs, reinstall the system, reset passwords, and create a new admin account.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Boot into Recovery Mode
- Shut down.
- Press and hold the Power button until you see the Apple logo or another image.
- Immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + R.
- Release the keys when you see the Apple logo
- Access Terminal
- In the macOS Utilities window, go to Utilities in the top menu bar.
- Click Terminal to open it.
- Create a New Admin Account
- Type the following command and press Enter:
resetpassword
- In the Reset Password window:
- Select your primary hard drive from the dropdown menu.
- Choose the user account you want to promote to admin.
- Enter a new password, confirm it, and add a password hint.
- Click Save to reset the password.
- Close the Reset Password window and Terminal.
- Restart and Log In
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select Restart.
- Log in with the user account you just promoted to admin.
Fun Fact: The first Macintosh computer, the Macintosh 128K, was introduced on January 24, 1984, and was the first mass-market personal computer to feature a graphical user interface and a mouse
Method 2: Using Single-User Mode
Single-User Mode is a command-line interface that allows advanced users to modify system settings, including creating a new admin account.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Boot into Single-User Mode
- Shut down your laptop.
- Press the Power button, then immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + S.
- Release the keys when you see white text on a black screen.
- Mount the File System
- Type the following command and press Enter:
/sbin/mount -uw /
- Create a New Admin Account
- Type the following command and press Enter:
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
- This tricks it into running the initial setup process again.
- Restart and Set Up a New Admin Account
- Type:
reboot
- Your laptop will restart and show the “Welcome” setup screen.
- Follow the prompts to create a new admin account.
Method 3: Using a Bootable USB Installer
If the above methods fail, you can use a bootable macOS installer to create a new admin account.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create a Bootable USB Installer (on another Mac)
- Download the macOS installer from the App Store.
- Insert a 16GB+ USB drive.
- Open Terminal and run (replace MyVolume with your USB name):
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [version].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume
- Boot from the USB Installer
- Insert the USB into your locked Mac.
- Power on and hold Option (⌥) to enter Startup Manager.
- Select the USB drive and press Enter.
- Install macOS on the External Drive
- In macOS Utilities, select Install macOS.
- Choose the USB drive as the destination.
- Complete the installation and restart.
- Create a New Admin Account
- Follow the setup prompts to create a new admin account.
- After logging in, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups.
- Click the lock icon, enter your password, and add a new admin account for your main Mac.
Conclusion
Regaining admin access without an existing administrator is possible using Recovery Mode, Single-User Mode, or a bootable USB installer. These methods help you reset passwords, bypass setup files, or create a new admin account from scratch.
Important: Only use these methods on a Mac you legally own or have permission to access. Misusing these techniques on someone else’s computer without authorisation may violate privacy laws.
By following these steps, you can regain control of your laptop and continue using it without restrictions.
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