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Why is my administrator password not recognized?

I just upgraded from OS Catalina to OS Big Sur and in System Preferences/Security & Privacy/ my administrator password is not recognized.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 20, 2021 6:13 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 21, 2021 11:46 PM

I tried this first and it solved the problem:


Reset the SMC on computers that have the T2 chip

Notebook computers with the T2 chip

Before resetting the SMC, try these steps:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release the button.
  3. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.


Thank you.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 21, 2021 11:46 PM in response to mulberry58

I tried this first and it solved the problem:


Reset the SMC on computers that have the T2 chip

Notebook computers with the T2 chip

Before resetting the SMC, try these steps:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release the button.
  3. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.


Thank you.

Feb 1, 2021 3:22 PM in response to technology today

Yes, same issue. This is outrageous....a software upgrade and the flaw is that your password is unusable? And the solution is to shutdown and then hold this, press that, and stand on one foot an stare into a glass of water?? Fix this, Apple, fix this now....no one has time to fiddle around with resetting SMEFTS OR WHATEVER!! Fix this epic foul up....and do it now! I do not have time to sort through the terminal window and shutting off my T2 security chip!??!! Get it together, get it together now, fix this with a patch. I am soooo disgusted with the incompetence, Windows is looking brighter!!

Why is my administrator password not recognized?

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