Root User Cannot Reset Another Users Password I wanted to enable Root user on macOS Mojave Version 10.14.4 so that i can use it in case another users or admins lose their login credentials. I tried this and when i tested out password reset for an admin user i get the following:



I am not sure why root user fails to reset a password of another user, in my case it was an admin account, but the on the other hand the admin user is able to reset another admins password. I dont mind settling for having an admin account to actually serve as a reset password alternative but i am very curious why i cant reset a password with a root user. Any feedback is welcomed. 

Thank you for taking your time to comment on this post!

Mac info:


MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
Disk is encrypted with FileVault
Don’t use root user on Mac in the GUI. Use any admin account and credentials for the easiest time to make changes like this. 

This is a fundamental design decision - Apple is even going towards a read only system volume, system integrity protection and all manner of things to make root and admin users go through security layers and barriers and API to secure the experience and user data.