macOS: Updating Password on a St. Thomas Mac

This service is for faculty, staff, and students signing into a St. Thomas Mac after resetting their St. Thomas Password. If you require help resetting your password, please see here for guidance.

When you log in to a Mac for the first time with your St. Thomas account, the Mac automatically creates a local account on the device and syncs the username and password to match your St. Thomas credentials. After a password reset, however, the Mac may continue using the previous local password until it is re-synced with the new one. This article explains how to complete that sync process.

Note: This process is only required for Macs. Windows devices will generally sync passwords automatically after connecting to the St. Thomas network.

Additional Steps for FileVault

If you are stuck at the below login screen, you computer may be stuck in a FileVault state. Fortunately, this is an easy fix.
If your login screen shows the standard St. Thomas login page, please proceed to the next section titled "Syncing your password"

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Standard St. Thomas Login
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FileVault Login

 

  1.  If your login screen looks like the File Vault Login above, first try searching for a little laptop icon in the top-right corner and give it a click. If you click it and see the St. Thomas login screen appear, skip ahead to the next section. If this icon is missing from the corner, proceed to step 2.Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
     
  2. Sign into the FileVault lock screen using your St. Thomas username and password. Make sure to use just your username, not the full email.
    • NOTE: Only existing users can unlock a Mac with FileVault. If this is your first time signing into this computer, have an existing user sign in (if available), or contact Tech Desk for assistance from ITS
       
  3. FileVault has now been unlocked! Once you make it to the desktop, sign out and proceed to the next section

Syncing your Password

  1.  If currently signed into the computer, navigate to the top-left apple menu and click Log OutUploaded Image (Thumbnail)
     
  2. You should now see the standard St. Thomas login page.Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
     
  3. Sign in using your new password and proceed as normalUploaded Image (Thumbnail)
     
  4. When prompted, re-enter your new password again and click Log InUploaded Image (Thumbnail)
     
  5. Finally, when prompted, enter your OLD password. Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)
     
  6. You should be all set! Try signing out and back in like normal. You should find that you are no longer prompted for the old password.
     
To report a problem or receive additional troubleshooting, please contact the Tech Desk. 
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