Show password at login instead of dots

[jhmiii]

Does anyone know of a way to force the OS to show the login password while it is typed during login? I have a 25 character password with caps and numbers and it is essentially a random string of letters. I am too old and lazy to memorize another. Meanwhile my 'h' key has started causing problems. Sometimes an 'h' does not appear when typed and sometimes multiple h's appear. Unfortunately, my password contains h's. I am willing to use the terminal as needed to change the login screen.

(Only needed to fix four 'h' related typos in this post!)

Thanks for any ideas provided.

jhmiii

 

[IWT]

Whilst there are ways to show letters and numbers instead of dots or asterixes, these seem only to apply Safari and other Browsers - loads of examples from a Google search (Show password at login instead of dots on Mac) -

- unfortunately this is not possible for your Login.

Here is a direct quote from Apple Communities where the same question was posted last year -

Q."I'm at home on my iMac, High Sierra still. No one is ever around. I don't need the password that I type in to be hidden on the login screen upon startup or wake-up. Is there a way to set it to show the characters for the password as I type them in instead of the dots? I'm skilled enough to use Terminal or whatever. I've seen solutions for web browsers, but not the computer's actual startup screen. Actually, this hidden password industry standard is a big pet peeve of mine. "

A. "Apple would have to rewrite the Login panel to provide alternation between dots, and plain text characters, so no fix for your peeve."

Ian

 

[Raz0rEdge]

If this is your login password to your machine, there is no reason to make it extremely complex if you are sure that it's in a secure place. Make it a short but strong password that you can actually remember.

If you make it too complex, you're just going to end up writing it down somewhere to remember which defeats the whole idea of having a password in the first place.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

In addition to the above comments, if your problem is largely a consequence of the 'h' key failing, why not change the password to something that does not have an 'h' in it? Aside from that, what exact Mac do you have? If it's one of the models with a butterfly keyboard, it's eligible for a no-cost repair outside of warranty.

 

[Slydude]

Have you considered using a different keyboard? It doesn't have to be an Apple keyboard to work; Decent replacement keyboards can be had at a reasonable price. If you're using a notebook, and aren't traveling with it, any keyboard that would work with a desktop Mac will work as well.

 

[IWT]

Sly,

It has occurred rather belatedly that we don't know what Mac the OP has. Is it a MacBook or Desktop or Mini? Two of those three require a standalone keyboard; the MacBook obviously has it built-in.

This would make a difference in how we respond. Eg, one could argue that a Desktop well secured in a house might not necessarily need a log in PW (excluded in System Preferences); or a more simple, easily remembered PW for a Desktop/Mini and for the MacBook.

However one looks at it a 25 character PW to log in is OTT??

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

And a twenty-five character, random, is really OTT!

 

[jhmiii]

Thanks for all of the responses. I had hoped a path was available to show the password via some arcane command in the terminal. I have a MB Pro 15" 2016. I will look into Apple repair, especially if they will do it for free. (Maybe even if I have to pay!) The problem with changing my long password is that for me it is memorable. At my age that is all important.

 

[Slydude]

Jake that occurred to me as I was writing that post. I should have asked that question.

If the keyboard repair is going to be costly, consider using an external keyboard. There are several wired and wireless options available that will likely cost less than a keyboard repair. Not a great option for traveling but works nicely if the laptop is home most of the time.

 

[chscag]

Info regarding the keyboard repair:

Apple will repair or replace the butterfly keyboard on those machines which are eligible. The free repair/replacement is good for four years from date of purchase.

The OP's machine is one of those that are eligible, so he has four years from the date of purchase to get it repaired or replaced.

In order to replace that keyboard, Apple replaces the entire top case. It's an involved repair. The only problem is that he will have to send the machine to Apple or take it to an Apple store if one is open in his area. The repair may take more than several days or even a week or two.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

In order to replace that keyboard, Apple replaces the entire top case. It's an involved repair. The only problem is that he will have to send the machine to Apple or take it to an Apple store if one is open in his area. The repair may take more than several days or even a week or two.

I can't speak for everyone's experience, but I had to send in the 2019 MBA that I last had for a keyboard repair and the turnaround was something like 4-5 days from the time I dropped it off at FedEx until it came back to my door. It was obscenely fast! If a local store option is available, it should take only a day if scheduled in advance.

 

[toMACsh]

So, if the keyboard is fixed, there's no need to see the characters of the password as you type them? In the meantime, how about this: install a clipboard app that remembers things through a restart, then create a file that has your password in it and Copy it to the clipboard. When you log in, Paste it.

I used to save several things this way. I could just paste from the appropriate saved clip instead of typing it out.

 

[ferrarr]

So, if the keyboard is fixed, there's no need to see the characters of the password as you type them? In the meantime, how about this: install a clipboard app that remembers things through a restart, then create a file that has your password in it and Copy it to the clipboard. When you log in, Paste it.

I used to save several things this way. I could just paste from the appropriate saved clip instead of typing it out.

It may work after a login, but prior to login, the clipboard should not be loaded.

 

[pm-r]

Thanks for any ideas provided.

Thanks for any ideas provided.

I had a MBPro I used to use, and now at 79, I wouldn't want any extra brain draining procedures happening, but even years ago I just used a single character as a username password.

I used it for years and it was easy to remember and use.

25 characters for a user login password is absurd.


- Patrick
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