Reset iMac Without Password
Technology has shaped our lives in ways we cannot even comprehend. Keeping up with the changes this ever-evolving and dynamic industry brings is quite a challenge. One of the flag bearers of technological revolution across the world is Apple, the brainchild of Steve Jobs. The reasons Apple has become such a famous brand, consumed by people worldwide, are enormous. Its products are easy to use, last very long, and provide top-notch security.
Nevertheless, there are some specifications and unique settings that an Apple product, especially an iMac, might come with. There is no complex calculation involved here, but you need to know a few steps to navigate your way through one of the best products of Apple.
It may seem intimidating, but it is pretty easy to factory reset iMac without a password. Let us try to learn how-
Steps to reset iMac without password
1. Recover the password if possible
If you have just got hold of a second-hand iMac or inherited it from an acquaintance, try reaching out to them and note down the password. This is a safe option for both the parties involved. Always consider it before you factory reset iMac as they might have important data stored in the device, and your acquaintance can ask for it later. Therefore, to be on the safe side and on clear terms that you did remind them about retrieving their data, always try and save it on a different disk. This can help you save a lot of trouble. If you are still trying to reach out to the acquaintance who lent you the iMac, consider heading over to YouTube to find tutorials that explain the steps to retrieve the password without losing data.
2. Create a bootable macOS installer if you need it
Before beginning the process of recovering passwords, try to arrange for a USB-C drive. It is crucial for booting macOS. Once the recovery process begins, you will be denied access to the internet of the iMac you are using. Again, several helpful videos on YouTube can teach you how to reinstall macOS on an iMac without complicating things. This is one of the most critical steps you should keep in mind before considering resetting your iMac.
3. Boot into Recovery
Whether you are selling the iMac to a new user or have forgotten the password you had once set for your device, the first and foremost thing you need to do before resetting the device is boot into recovery mode.
The process to boot into recovery is pretty simple; here is all that you need to do-The process might vary depending on whether you use an M-series iMac or an Intel-powered iMac.
For a M-series Mac, you will have to
● Switch off the iMac: long press on the power button.
● Press the ‘ON’ button for 3-4 seconds.
● The Apple logo should appear on the screen by now. You will then be shown a text directing you to hold the power button for a long time to access the start-up options. Press on that button.
● Eventually, you will be able to navigate through the options. From there, click on ‘Continue,’ and that will lead you to the option for ‘Recovery.’
For an Intel-powered iMac, you will have to
● Switch off the iMac
● Switch it on while you are pressing the Command and R keys. The Apple logo will appear on screen, and you might hear a sound for the same. Stop pressing on the keys.
● The macOS Utilities screen will show you a host of options.
● From there, you can easily find the option for ‘Recovery.’
This is one of the most essential steps to abide by if you want to factory reset your iMac without a password.
4. Reinstall the Operating System
To follow this step, you must reinstall macOS through ‘Recovery’. Here, reinstalling the operating system will also vary depending on the processor used. We will have to deal with the two types of Intel-powered Mac and Apple silicon.
Installing macOS from the internet is quite simple, but you should use a USB drive. It speeds up the process. Follow these simple steps if you are confused:
● Click on ‘reinstall macOS, in Disk Utilities.
● Proceed to continue
● Enter the Apple ID if needed. Wait for the macOS to be reinstalled.
If you face any difficulty in downloading the macOS due to internet issues, go to the Wi-Fi menu; it should be on the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Select the Wi-Fi network and enter the password. If you continue to face difficulty, opt for the USB boot drive.
Once you are done installing the macOS, check out the list of the best free Mac apps to enjoy using your new or old device.
5. Erasing the Mac
This process takes time but is extremely important if you want to factory reset your iMac without a password. This process allows you to erase everything present on the iMac. Therefore, if you cannot decide what to do, head to the Target Disk Mode or Mac Disk Sharing option. This will allow you to copy files to a disk or separate folder.
Now that you have deleted the files, follow these steps:
● Go to Disk Utility and click ‘Continue’
● After entering the Disk Utility app, you can view your files in the left-hand column.
● Click on the internal drive. From here, you can select the parent drive.
● After the disk has been highlighted, click on ‘erase’.
● Rename your drive in the pop-up box.
● The drop-down action and Scheme format should be set as Mac OS extended and GUID partition Map for your convenience.
● In the final step, click on ‘Erase’.
The process might be lengthy, but it can help you factory reset your iMac without a password.
If you are in a hurry and do not have time to follow any of these processes, here’s what you can do to save time and reset your iMac without a password:
(a) Shut down your device
(b) Long press the power button and switch it on again
(c) Press on the Command option and release it when the Apple logo appears on the screen. However, if you see a spinning disc cursor, click on ‘Shift.’ Then, do away with all the keys when you see the Apple logo on the screen.
(d) Wait for some time, and you will hear a sound that should last up to 5 seconds. Release the Command option. Keep the holding down option selected and wait for your iMac to restart. You will get to hear another start-up tone. This will be an indication of the completion of the booting process. By now, your iMac will successfully reset to factory settings.
(e) Enter your username and password (if you have a pre-set one) when you are allowed to log in to the device with administrator rights. Enjoy your newly reset iMac without the use of a password.
With all this being said, let us try to understand what happens when we reset an iMac:
a. Problems associated with the previous device will be done away with
If you reset an iMac due to a program that was messing with processor time, that program will not be running anymore on your device if you reset it. However, you might have to take it to the center if it is a system file. Thus, resetting an iMac can be equated to rebooting a Windows computer.
b. You will lose out on the upgrades that you have made so far
All the latest versions of software and added RAM that you might have installed into your iMac will be gone even if you had a backup of it on a disk.
c. You will be required to reinstall your applications and restore files from a backup
You may not have to go through this process if you have saved all your applications in the Applications folder and other files in the Documents folder. These items will be automatically restored after you log back into the device. You can also copy and paste the documents back if you had saved them earlier.
d. You will have to re-enable FileVault
If your hard drive was encrypted using FileVault before you chose to reset the computer, you will have to enable it again after logging back into the device.
e. You might have to re-authorize all the Apple software and services on your device
The process of it is simple. Go to the store and grant permission to all the downloaded apps. Sometimes, the method may vary depending on your software and how many updates are available in the market.
Conclusion
It is easy to rest your iMac without a password by following the number of tutorials present on the internet. This article aims to make the process extremely simple for even beginners who are not tech-savvy. The steps discussed above will cater to all your needs about resetting your iMac. The only thing required from you is to be responsible with technology and use it mindfully. The big brands guaranteeing you top-notch security have had spill-offs in the past. Be careful with the kind of digital footprint you decide to leave behind.
