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Howto enable root user in Mac OS X

From How2s

The "superuser" (i.e. root) account, which controls everything in Unix, is turned off by default in most Mac OS X installations. These instructions tell you how to enable the Unix root account on Mac OS X.

Quick Method using NetInfo Manager

This is the easiest method if you are more of a GUI person:

  • Log in on the admin account
  • Start the NetInfo Manager application (Macintosh HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> NetInfo Manager)
  • From the top menu bar pull down the "Security" item and select "Enable root user". Enter the administrator's password to authenticate yourself


sudo Method

This is the easiest method if you are more of a CLI person.

  • Log in on the admin account
  • Open up a command shell in the Terminal application (Macintosh HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal)
  • At the command prompt type this command: 
sudo passwd root
Enter Password: 
Changing password for root
New password:  
Verify password:
  • The first password you are asked for is the already existing password for the admin account. After that, enter your new root password twice.
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