How to Make Yourself Admin on Mac Using Terminal

Mac is well-known for its ease of use and robust security measures. However, even with these measures in place, there are instances where you may need to bypass them and gain admin privileges. Such situations may include upgrading system software, resetting forgotten passwords, or performing some other administrative tasks. This blog will guide you on how to make yourself admin on Mac using terminal.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of Making Yourself Admin on Mac Using Terminal

Mac comes with an in-built superuser account called the "root user." This account has full administrative rights to the entire system. However, Apple advises that this account should remain disabled and not be used as a daily account. Therefore, the primary challenge of making yourself admin on Mac using Terminal is bypassing existing security measures to gain root access.

Things You Should Prepare for Before Making Yourself Admin on Mac Using Terminal

Before attempting to make yourself admin on Mac using Terminal, you should ensure that you:

• Have access to an admin account
• Have a backup of your important files and data
• Have a good understanding of the Terminal application
• Are familiar with the Unix commands

Method 1: Via Recovery Mode

Using the Recovery Mode is a straightforward way of making yourself an admin on Mac using Terminal. This method is applicable if you’ve forgotten your current admin password, and you can access the recovery partition. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Command + R keys.
2. Wait for the Apple logo and the progress bar to show up.
3. Select the Utilities menu and choose Terminal.
4. Type the command "resetpassword" (without the quotes) in the Terminal window, and press Enter.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to change the password for the admin account.
6. Restart your Mac and login using the new password as an admin.

Pros:

– Easy and straightforward
– No additional software or commands required
– Can be used to reset the admin password if forgotten

Cons:

– Only applicable if you can access the Recovery Partition
– May cause data loss if you don’t have a backup

Method 2: Via Single-User Mode

Using the Single-User mode also offers an easy way of making yourself an admin on Mac using Terminal. This method is helpful if you’ve forgotten the admin password and can’t access the recovery partition. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Command + S keys.
2. Wait for the white text to stop appearing on the screen.
3. Type the command "mount -uw /" (without the quotes) in the Terminal window, and press Enter.
4. Type the command "rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone" (without the quotes) in the Terminal window, and press Enter.
5. Type the command "reboot" (without the quotes) in the Terminal window, and press Enter.
6. Follow the instructions to create a new admin account.

Pros:

– Works even if you can’t access Recovery Mode
– No additional software or commands required

Cons:

– Not suitable for fixing other Terminal-based issues
– May cause data loss if you don’t have a backup

Method 3: Via Booting into Safe Mode

Boot into Safe Mode is another way of making yourself an admin on Mac using Terminal. This method works by disabling all third-party extensions and login items. Here are steps you should follow:

1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Shift key.
2. Wait for the login window to appear.
3. Login to your account.
4. Press the Command + Spacebar keys to launch Spotlight.
5. Type Terminal, and select it from the list.
6. Type the command "dsenableroot" (without the quotes) in the Terminal window, and press Enter.
7. Set the root password and confirm it.

Pros:

– Works by disabling all third-party extensions
– Enables secure troubleshooting of your Mac.

Cons:

– Can take longer than other methods
– May cause data loss if you don’t have a backup

Why Can’t I Make Myself Admin on Mac Using Terminal?

There are several reasons why you may not make yourself admin on Mac using Terminal. Here are some of them and the fixes:
– Incorrect Terminal Commands: Ensure that you type in the correct commands to avoid running the wrong commands that can cause harm to your Mac.
– Missing Dependencies: You may not make yourself admin if some of the required dependencies are missing. To fix this, install the missing dependencies and try again.
– Forgotten Admin Account Password: If you’ve forgotten your admin password, use one of the methods described above to reset it.

Additional Tips

Here are some tips that can help you when making yourself admin on Mac using Terminal:
– Always back up your Mac regularly to avoid data loss in case of any error
– Be cautious when using commands with sudo or root privileges
– Always follow instructions carefully to avoid accidentally causing harm

5 FAQs about Making Yourself Admin on Mac Using Terminal

Q1. What is Terminal?

A1. Terminal is a command-line interface and a powerful tool that allows you to interact with your Mac by entering commands.

Q2. What is an admin account?

A2. An admin account is a user account that has full administrative rights to the Mac operating system.

Q3. What is the root user account?

A3. The root user account is a built-in superuser account that has full privileges to the entire system.

Q4. Can I damage my Mac when making myself admin?

A4. Yes, but only if you enter incorrect commands or perform the procedures incorrectly. Always follow the instructions carefully.

Q5. Do I need programming experience to make myself admin on Mac using Terminal?

A5. No. However, you need to have a good understanding of the Terminal application and the Unix commands.

In Conclusion

Making yourself admin on Mac using Terminal may seem daunting at first, but it’s pretty easy with the right knowledge. This blog guides you through three methods to make yourself admin on Mac using Terminal and highlights some of the challenges you may encounter. Always take precautions when making yourself admin to avoid data loss and damage to your Mac.