This article shows you how to change your University password on a University-owned Mac desktop or laptop which is not using the Jamf Connect system for login. If you are unsure, please check on your menu bar for the leftmost icon indicated below:
If you see this icon, you may use the Change Password function from the menu instead of using the procedure described below.
If you do not see this icon, please contact the IT Service Desk. All Mac devices must now be enrolled in the Jamf management system, at which point your device can be set to receive the Jamf Connect login system, negating the need to follow the more complicated procedure set out below.
Before you start
1. Sign out of all apps on all devices which are using your current University username and password.
2. Sign out of all other devices which are using your current University username and password.
3. Open Keychain Access and search the login and iCloud default keychains for all items using your University email address or username in conjunction with your current password and either delete them or update the password to what you intend to use. On iOS or iPadOS devices, check in Settings / Passwords.
This stops devices and apps from automatically trying to reconnect with your old password, which may lead to your account being locked out.
Check if you are connected to Active Directory
Many Mac devices set up by IT will be connected to the Active Directory system, just as Windows devices are. This means that, when changing your password on a Mac, it is important to follow the correct procedure to allow your Mac to update your password both on the machine and in Active Directory. Before undertaking a password reset:
- Open System Preferences
- Navigate to Users & Groups
- Click on Login Options
If your device is joined to Active Directory, you will see a green dot and either DS or Admin in the Network Account Server field. Your account in the list on the left should also show with “Mobile” underneath your name.
Changing your password
Once you have established that your device is joined to Active Directory, change your password by:
- Ensure your device is successfully connected to the wired campus network (as indicated by a green dot and the word “Connected” against the relevant network interface entry in System Preferences / Network.
- If you are not on campus or have no means of connection to the wired network, you should connect to the Pulse Secure VPN. You need to connect to the VPN with your current password, which will then be changed. Your VPN connection should remain open but the next time you use the VPN will require your new password. If you cannot connect to the VPN please contact the IT Service Desk.
- Whilst still viewing the Login Options, wait for the “Allow network users to log in at login window” tick box to appear. If this does not appear after two minutes’ connection to the wired network or VPN, please contact the IT Service Desk, as your machine does not have the necessary link with Active Directory.
- With the network users option showing, click on your username. By default, your account will be highlighted in the left-hand pane. If not, please select the account from the user list.
- With your mobile account highlighted, click the Change Password button.
- Enter your current (old) password, then enter your new password and enter it a second time to verify it, along with any hint you may wish to set. The key icon gives access to a password generator if you want to use that.
- Click the Change Password button.
- Test your new password by opening the Terminal app and using the login command. This will prompt for your username, then your new password. If the password is not accepted, you will see 'login incorrect', so try again to ensure you have entered your new password correctly.
With a successful login, you will simply see your username@yourmachinename e.g. unimac@uol-lap-123456. The Terminal app may then be closed.
Example of successful login:
Example of unsuccessful login:
If your login in the Terminal app is not accepted, it may indicate an issue with fully updating your password both on the network and your local machine. If this applies to you, please contact the IT Service Desk for further assistance. Do not reboot your machine.
Important note for users with FileVault encryption
(This applies to all laptop users and some desktop users.)
If you have not been able to log into Terminal with your new password, we strongly recommend you do not reboot your device until you have sought IT assistance. This is because FileVault may no longer consider your account able to unlock the disk. If you have no other account or other user of the machine able to unlock the disk for you, you will need to bring your device to campus for IT support.