How to Enable the Root User and Change the Root User Password in macOS High Sierra

These are instructions on how to enable the root user and change the root user's password in macOS.

You may need to do this to prevent a bug with macOS High Sierra that enables login as root without a password even if the root user has not been enabled.

Step One
Click the Apple logo at the top left of your display and choose System Preferences from the menu that appears.


Step Two
Select Users & Groups from the System Preferences window.


Step Three
Click the Lock icon at the bottom left of the Users & Groups window.


Enter your administrative username and password, then click Unlock.


Step Four
Click Login Options near the bottom left of the window.


Step Five
Click the Join button.


Step Six
Click the Open Directory Utility... button.


Step Seven
Click the Lock icon at the bottom left of the Directory Utility window.


Enter your administrative username and password then click the Modify Configuration button.


Step Eight
To enable the root user choose Edit from the menu bar at the top of the screen, then select Enable Root User.


If you have already enabled the root user but want to change the password, choose Change Root Password... from the Edit menu.


Enter a password for the root user then click OK.


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