Access Single-User Mode When Locked
Once you are in single-user mode you will have root privileges and access to the entire filesystem, including password hashes.
This tutorial is much easier to do on a laptop, and some of the steps will attract some attention when in public places. So watch where you are when following this guide.
The procedure involves opening the computer, which does void the warranty.
Regardless of who’s computer this is, proceed with caution. You should know what you’re doing before removing or adding any RAM. We take absolutely no responsibility for any effects to the computers, or your warranty (it will void it).
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s get started.
Procedure
1. Change the Amount of RAM
Change the amount of RAM inside the computer. It doesn’t matter if you add RAM or remove RAM, but the amount of RAM has to be different than the amount present when the computer was last turned off.
Be careful when handling RAM. It is very sensitive to static electricity.
2. Reset the PRAM and NVRAM
Once you have successfully changed the amount of RAM, and preferably closed the case back up, turn the computer on. Once you hear the chime signaling that the computer is turning on hold CMD+Option+P+R. Hold them down until the computer restarts and you hear the chime for a second time. Immediately after you hear this second chime release the keys, then quickly press them again. Wait until it restarts and you hear a third chime. Then repeat for a fourth time. (Note: This is resetting your computer’s PRAM and NVRAM)
3. Boot into Single-User Mode
Once you have heard the fourth chime hold CMD+S. This will boot you into single-user mode. From here you can perform whatever actions you want to do, but be careful not to change anything vital to the running of the computer.
4. Replace/Remove RAM
Turn the computer off and put the original amount of RAM back inside. This step isn’t necessary but is highly recommended.You should try to leave the computer as close to its original state as possible.
Again remember that opening up a Mac does void its warranty, and if you open up a computer in a Starbucks people are gonna give you some funny looks. Be smart about how you use this tutorial.
The contents of this guide are for educational use only. For more information, see our Disclaimer.
What exactly is RAM??? and how do you access it on a MacBook??
KiKi, RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and appears in the form of “sticks”, which are computer chips that slot into the motherboard.
If you did not know what RAM meant, I highly recommend not performing this procedure. It’s easy to kill a stick of RAM by not taking the right precautions, and removing it or placing more in without knowing what you’re doing can break your computer.
To access the RAM on a MacBook, you have to remove the bottom of the laptop, and identify where the RAM is (differs depending on the model).
Jeff I was reading your post and I tried the hack on how to create a new administrator a dozen times. Obviously I did something wrong. After typing in all of the little codes e.g. /sbin/mount -uw /….. I pressed enter. Is that correct?
@BB – Are you entering each command separately and hitting enter? You cannot enter them all in the same line and press enter, you need to execute all of them in the proper order.
I did all that but the new admin user does not recognize the other two accounts on the users folder. Can I tell the computer that those old users are actully part of the system? THanks
@tea – Check your ‘System Preferences’ Accounts pane, do they show up there?
Hey Jeff I got the thing to work except all did not go according to plan. Once i typed in reboot I thought it had worked, but it took my right back to sign in screen for my computer(where you choose what user you want to log into. What happened?????
@BB It looks like you haven’t properly deleted the file, and Mac OS X still thinks it’s there. Try going through the steps in the guide again and let us know how it goes.
eto..this doesn’t work……
/sbin/mount -uw/
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
it tells me there’s no such thing as rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
i tried it without the rm and then it jus said permission denied….so just curious…..does this work on all macs cause i’m using a mac os x but it’s like a really old one cause it hasn’t been updated since 2004…so it’s only updated to 10.3.8?
is there anything else i can do cause i’ve tried many things and stuff and nothing works cause it all usually ends up telling me file does not exist or permission denied…
@tsuki – Your problem lies in the age of the machine. This guide only works on 10.4 and up, so it looks like you’re just below the cutoff! I’ll be sure to edit the guide soon with this information.
Hey Jeff,
I am a non-admin account user trying to create my account to admin. Is there any way I can transfer all my files from the non-admin to the admin then delete the non-admin? Or mabye can I make my non admin into an admin then delete the admin I created (if that made sense)?
I type in the very first line and get the following error messages (User names edited out for privacy)
SMBP-1043:~ AAAAA$ dscl localhost -read /search/users/BBBBB | grep Genera tedUID | cut -cut15-
cut: [-cf] list: illegal list value
grep: tedUID: No such file or directory
DS Error: -14009 (eDSUnknownNodeName)
What is going on and what should I type to make it work?
Hi Chris,
It looks like you may have a space in the middle of GeneratedUID. It should be all one word. Try taking out the space and seeing what happens.
–
Alex Galvin
I somehow find PHP much easier and simpler than Applescript. I just don’t get it.
Can someone point me to a good tutorial? not a hello world tutorial btw
thanks!
pete
@peter — We do have an ongoing AppleScript 101 tutorial series, which does go beyond the “hello world” type of script. Here’s the latest as of now:
http://www.hackmac.org/hacks/guides/applescript-101-if-then-blocks-and-try-blocks/
Stay tuned – we have an even more advanced AppleScript 101 that should be up by early next week!
Will this void custom insurance?
I’m not totally sure what you mean by “custom insurance”, but from the sounds of it, I’d look into your Terms and Conditions to see if any self repairing or repairing by somebody who is “unauthorized” is disallowed – if it is, it’ll void that.
This procedure definitely voids your Mac’s warranty, so if the Geniuses find out, they won’t work with your computer at the Apple Store.
Hi mate! I recently got a problem with my mac. I think it is called a kernel panic? I’m not sure. I fixed my problem using single user mode because I don’t have the installer discs with me. Anyway, after copying some texts from the site to safe user mode, I was able to run my mac again, but the problem is, the account was not an Admin account as it was supposed to be. Can you please help me with this problem? I use my mac for school. Lastly, I have tried some codes like “/sbin/mount -uw” and so on. I have actually tried this three times and now I have three accounts which are standard only. I really need your help. I have exams in two weeks. thanks a lot!
Hey Mat, we actually have an article on just how to do that! Check it out here: http://www.hackmac.org/hacks/from-standard-to-administrator/
Hello ! Im trying to access the admins password so i can install some games. This is my computer but i go to school on it so the school put install blocks only bypasses by the admin. So i need to make a admin account or change the password. But its seems ive tried everything ! Ive held down command +s, ive tried the dick. Nothing works. can you help please?? Im using an iMac by. the desktop
Are you certain that you’re holding down CMD+S on the gray startup screen, before the Apple logo appears? Otherwise, that means they have a firmware password enabled, which can be removed by changing the amount of RAM inside the computer (a bad idea if the computer is the school’s).
Hey having a keyboard problem in single user mode.
As soon I get to the the screen with white text, I’m unable to type anything with my keyboard.
I’m using a logitech g15 but it has no problem typing in osx or in getting me to single user mode.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
Do you have a plain-ole standard USB keyboard lying around? Most drivers are not active in Single-User Mode, even though they are in all other parts of the OS.
See if you have one in the attic or if you could just borrow one from a friend and give that a shot.
Hello, I can’t type AT ALL when I’m in the single user mode. I’ve tried this and it still doesn’t let me type. Help? (ps: I’m not the administrator on the computer)
Hey Jo – What do you have for a keyboard? If it’s not a plain, standard USB keyboard, it might not work; most drivers aren’t active during SUM.
do you do the same process for a desktop
Yep, you just have to unscrew the bottom (if it’s an iMac) or remove the side panel (for the Mac Pro) to access the RAM.
hey ive done this a couple of times but i found another way on the disk theres the application open firmware utility if u have administrator access you can change it or what i did was edit the resources and and made it look like a google chrome updater and got my administrator to “update google chrome”
btw heres a tricky one for you i have parental controls open firmware password which means no sum no terminal no apple script editor no widgets
Tyson – That’s a cool trick, but your system administrator has to fall for it.
As for your situation, it’s pretty easy with the OS X install DVD. Pop it in, pick a language, then select “Password Reset” from the Utilities menu. You can then select an account to reset the password of, and you can even reset the root password if you select “System Administrator”, you’ll reset the root password.
Just be careful, because with the root account, there are no safety rails. The computer will do anything that you tell it to without asking whether you’re sure or not.
Hey jeff
I have tried this method (of removing ram to gain access to Single User Mode) but i have had zero success. When i turn the computer on there is no “chime” at any time. I have also tried using head phones.
Can you please recommend any other ways that i may be able to gain access?
Are you sure that there is a firmware password? If there isn’t one, then you should be able to simply hold CMD+S on startup to boot directly into SUM.
The trick is to change the amount of *working* RAM in the computer. More or less is fine, so long as it’s sufficient for the computer to boot and run. I’m guessing the poster removed too much RAM, leaving the computer in a non-bootable state.
Changing out the RAM does not void the Apple Warranty.
Hi Jeff,
My problem is this…my son did something to my iMac 10.6 which caused it to freeze. So I rebooted with my disk and everything works fine except my account turned to standard and I cannot download anything. So I tried doing what you have written, but I cannot type in single user mode. I am using my standard usb keyboard. Is there anyway around this? I really need to download a few things.
Thanks so much!
You can create another Administrator account using the install disk, and from that account, change your account back into an administrator.
Hi Jeff-
Could I create another Administrator’s account temporarily then delete it to erase my tracks?
hello sir…
sir,i want to view the admin account password through the limited account..
is it possible????
remember i don’t want to change password simply i just want to see that password…
I’m I.T executive that’s why i need that trick…
If you’re an I.T. executive than I feel like you would have the administrator account password…
and no, it’s not possible, you need root access to decrypt passwords.
Hello,
I have changed the amount of RAM, but first there is no gray start up screen, and second I have tried resetting the PRAM etc. but as I am holding down Command + Option + P + R it does nothing.