How to Change Local Admin Password-Mac

Overview

Changing your local administrator (lastname.#la) is a different procedure than changing your OSU lastname.#, which is done at my.osu.edu.

Note this article only applies to Macs that do not use the Privileges app for admin access!

This article applies to the AD Bound / multi-user setup.  Most installs since late 2020 have been the Zero Touch / Jamf Connect install, which uses an app name Privileges for admin access. Since the Privileges app uses your lastname.# there is no associated la account.

Contents

• Changing the Password Off the OSU Network
• Changing the Password On the OSU Network
  • If your computer is on campus, attached with a wired cable.
  • If your computer is on campus using certifcate wireless (you never had to log into OSU Wireless).

Procedure

Changing the Password Off the OSU Network

1. Log into the ASC VPN.
2. Open the Terminal  App.
   • Also called the 'command line', you can search for Terminal with Spotlight.
3. Become your admin user:
   • su lastname.#la
   • Where lastname.#la is your local admin account.
4. If your password was reset you will immediatedly be prompted to change it. If not type:
   • passwd
   • You will be asked for your old password and a new one.
   • The new password needs to be 15 characters long, with numbers, symbols, and special characters.
5. Type exit to exit the admin session, then quit Terminal.

Changing the Password On the OSU Network

If a change log is useful for the user, include it.

If not, use the comments to show changes for ASCTech staff use.

Before you begin, please note that you must be on campus and your computer must be connected to the Internet with an Ethernet cable in order for the password change to work.

1. Log out of your OSU account by clicking the Apple logo. Click Log Out.

2. Click on your Local Admin account which is labeled as your lastname.# (Admin) account.

3. Type in your current Local Admin Password.

Or

If you have a log in window, type in your Local Admin User Name (lastname.#la) and current Local Admin Password.

4. Wait for the computer to log in to the desktop.

5. Click on System Preferences.

6. Click on Users and Groups.

7. Click Change Password.

When changing your password, your password must meet the following requirements:

• Must contain at least 15 or more characters
• Must have at least 1 upper case letter
• Must have at least 1 lower case letter
• Must have at least 1 number
• Special characters are optional

Your local admin password expires every 90 days and must be changed prior to the expiration date.

8. In the password change box:

Old Password: Type in your current Local Admin Password.

New Password: Type in your new Local Admin Password.

Verify: Re-type the new Local Admin Password.

Password Hint: This is optional. You may leave this field blank.

Click Change Password.

9. Log out of your Local Admin account by clicking the Apple logo. Click Log Out.

10. Log back into your OSU account which is labeled as your Last Name, First Name.

Or

If you have a log in window, type in your OSU User Name (lastname.#) and OSU Password.

You will continue to use your OSU account on a regular basis for work and only use the Local Admin User Name and Password when Administrator changes are required. When you make changes to the computer that require Administrator privileges, a box will appear asking for you to enter your Admin User Name and Password.