How to remove a password from a Mac: 5 methods in 5 minutes to resolve the issue

Quick answer: To remove the password on your Mac, first disable FileVault in System Settings, then go to Users & Groups and turn on Automatically log in as. This skips the login screen entirely when you start your Mac. Keep 

Setting a password on your Mac is a solid way to protect your personal data and prevent unauthorized access. But sometimes you need to remove a password, such as when you’re the only one using your computer, or you find it inconvenient to enter a password every time you boot your Mac.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps to remove your password from your Mac, including different methods depending on the version of macOS you’re running.

Here's a quick overview of the main password removal methods I'll cover in detail below:

Method	Best for	Security impact	Time needed
Disable login password	Single users wanting convenience	High – anyone can access your Mac	2 minutes
Remove sleep password	Frequent Mac users at home	Medium – physical access still needed	1 minute
Use Apple Watch unlock	Security-conscious convenience seekers	Low – maintains protection	5 minutes
Delete Keychain passwords	Cleaning up old credentials	None – only affects stored passwords	2 minutes per password
Disable FileVault	Users needing automatic login	High – removes disk encryption	10+ minutes

Remove your Mac login password

To remove your Mac login password, disable FileVault in System Settings > Privacy & Security, then enable automatic login in Users & Groups. 

Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings.

2. Then click Privacy & Security > FileVault and turn it off.

3. After that, go back to System Settings and click Users & Groups in the left sidebar. 

4. Turn on Automatically log in as. Then, select the account you’d like to automatically sign in as when you use your Mac.

5. After you disable the login password on your Mac, you won’t have to go through the login screen when you start your device.

Pareto Security also shows you if there are any updates available for the apps installed on your Mac because keeping apps up to date is a great way to prevent security breaches.

Delete a password from Keychain

To delete a saved password from Keychain, open the Passwords app in Finder > Applications, find the credential you want to remove, then click Edit > Delete. 

macOS Keychain provides secure storage for your credentials in the Passwords app. Sometimes, you may want to declutter your Keychain or delete passwords to websites or accounts you no longer use.

If so, here is how to delete passkeys from Keychain step-by-step:

1. Open the Passwords app (search for it in Spotlight or find it in your Applications folder).
2. Enter your password if prompted.
3. Find the website or app password you want to remove.
4. Then click Edit > Delete.

Honestly, I'd recommend going through your saved passwords at least once a quarter. When I did this last time, I found credentials for services I hadn't used in three years.

Deleting a password removes it permanently, so make sure you won't need it later. For better password management, I use Secrets 4 instead of relying solely on Keychain.

Secrets 4 offers 256-bit encryption, so you can import passwords from other managers like 1Password or LastPass. It syncs across all your Apple devices and even unlocks with your Apple Watch. Save your first password by clicking on the “Plus” icon. Next, fill out all the necessary information, and you’re done!

Remove your Mac administrator password

You can't completely remove an administrator password, but you can configure automatic login for any user account. This achieves the same convenience.

Here's what you need to do:

1. First, disable FileVault following the steps above.
2. Go to System Settings > Users & Groups.
3. Enable Automatically log in as.
4. Choose the administrator account from the drop-down.

The selected account will log in automatically at startup. Remember that this gives anyone with physical access full control of your Mac.

Read also:

• Change Login Password on Mac
• Lock Your Mac Screen
• Slow Keys on Mac

Disable the sleep password on Mac

The other time you need to enter your password to access your Mac is when you wake it from sleep or want to unlock the screen after the screensaver has started.

If you want to remove the password after the screensaver in macOS Tahoe, Sequoia, or Ventura, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Click Lock Screen in the sidebar.
3. Find Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off.
4. Change the drop-down from "immediately" to your preferred time delay or "Never".

For macOS Monterey and earlier:

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences.
2. Click Security & Privacy > General.
3. Uncheck "Require password after sleep or screen saver begins".
4. Enter your password to confirm.

This setting only affects wake-from-sleep scenarios. Your Mac still requires a password after a full restart.

Change your Mac password

Now you know how to disable the startup password. What if you want to change it? If you remember your old password, it’s simple to change it:

1. Go to System Settings > Touch ID & Password.
2. Click Change > Type your new password twice.
3. Add a password hint (optional but helpful).
4. Click Change Password.

If you've forgotten your password, check out how to recover a forgotten Mac password.

Use Apple Watch to unlock your Mac

Now that you know how to unlock your Mac without a password, let me show you how to use your Apple Watch to unlock your computer.  

Before you can use Apple Watch to unlock your Mac, set up your device and give it permission to do so.

1. Make sure both devices use the same Apple Account.
2. Enable Bluetooth on both devices.
3. Go to System Settings > Touch ID & Password.
4. Look for your Apple Watch in the list.
5. Turn on Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac. 

Your Mac unlocks automatically when you wake it while wearing your unlocked Apple Watch. The devices need to be within Bluetooth range (about 30 feet).

Remove the password from an encrypted Mac volume

macOS includes a feature called FileVault, which allows users to encrypt all data on a computer’s internal hard drive. When FileVault is enabled, you must enter your Mac’s login password whenever you want to access data on your hard drive. However, it prevents automatic login from working.

To disable FileVault encryption:

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Click Privacy & Security.
3. Click FileVault.
4. Click Turn Off.
5. Enter your administrator password.

The decryption process can take several hours depending on your drive size. Your Mac remains usable during decryption, but don't interrupt the process.

Should you turn off the password on your Mac?

Removing your Mac's password definitely speeds up your workflow, but I always think carefully about the security trade-offs. Without password protection, anyone can access your files, accounts, and personal information.

Consider these factors before deciding:

• Physical security of your Mac's location
• Sensitivity of stored data
• Whether you use shared or public spaces
• Your backup and recovery options

For balanced security, I run Moonlock weekly to check my Mac's protection level. It reviews your security settings and gives personalized recommendations without the complexity of traditional security software.

Moonlock shows exactly which security features are active and explains what each one does. It even teaches cybersecurity fundamentals through simple habits anyone can adopt.

Turned off your password? Know exactly where your Mac stands. Moonlock scans for malware, reviews your security settings, and teaches you simple habits to stay safe — even without a login password. Free for 7 days. Try Moonlock Free. Or get Moonlock as a standalone app from $13.50 USD/mo.

Making password management work for you

Disabling the login password in macOS adds convenience, but it’s important to weigh the potential security risks before making the change. If you do decide to disable the login password, use the right tools that will help you manage your Mac’s settings and keep it secure.

If you disable your password after the screen saver to save time, maybe it’s not the best option to choose. Instead, you can try Lungo, a simple app that prevents your Mac from falling asleep when you don’t want it to. Other tools I've mentioned – Secrets 4 for password management and Moonlock for security monitoring – help you find the right balance.

You just learned five ways to remove your Mac password. Here's one subscription that covers the security gap. Pareto Security, Lungo, Moonlock, and Secrets 4 are all included in Setapp — along with 270+ other Mac and iOS apps. Cancel before Day 7 — $0 charged. Start Your 7-Day Trial.

FAQ

How do I remove a user account and its password on my Mac?

To delete a user account completely: Go to System Settings > Users & Groups. Click the info button next to the account. Choose Delete User. Select whether to save or delete the user's data. The account and its password are removed permanently.

Can I disable the login password without turning off FileVault?

No, macOS requires FileVault to be disabled for automatic login. This is a security measure Apple enforces. You can use Touch ID or Apple Watch unlock as convenient alternatives while keeping FileVault active.

Why can't I find the automatic login option?

The option disappears when FileVault is enabled or when using network accounts. First, disable FileVault in Privacy & Security settings. The automatic login option then appears in Users & Groups settings.

What happens to my saved passwords if I remove my Mac password?

Your Keychain passwords remain intact and accessible. They're stored separately from your login password. You'll still need to authenticate when accessing Keychain items (Passwords app) using Touch ID or your previous password.

How do I reset my Mac password if I forgot it?

Use your Apple Account to reset it at the login screen after three failed attempts. Alternatively, boot into recovery mode: 

1. Hold the power button on Apple silicon Macs
2. Or press Command + R at startup on Intel Macs
3. And use the Password Reset utility.