New Mac User Question - Password Hell

[tbgb50]

I am new to Mac and just got a mini a couple of days ago. When I went through the setup I was required to create an iCloud password, which was a bit confusing, since I have an Apple ID for my iPhone and iPad. Anyway:

My phone and iPad have face or touch ID so this was never an issue. On the Mac I need to enter one of the passwords for the App store or to change certain settings (not sure what the pattern is). Since you can't copy/paste your password is there a way to turn off all this password checking?

My system password is 18 characters and I'm close to making it 1234.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Bigwaff]

When I went through the setup I was required to create an iCloud password, which was a bit confusing, since I have an Apple ID for my iPhone and iPad.

You can use the same Apple ID and password to login into iCloud on all your Apple devices.

Since you can't copy/paste your password is there a way to turn off all this password checking?

No. You don’t have to use your Apple ID password as your Macs login password. The passwords can be different. Apple ID can be used to change password if you forget your login password, like fail safe.

If you forgot your Mac login password - Apple Support

If you can’t log in to your Mac user account, try these solutions.

support.apple.com

 

[tbgb50]

You can use the same Apple ID and password to login into iCloud on all your Apple devices.

No. You don’t have to use your Apple ID password as your Macs login password. The passwords can be different. Apple ID can be used to change password if you forget your login password, like fail safe.

If you forgot your Mac login password - Apple Support

If you can’t log in to your Mac user account, try these solutions.

support.apple.com

Thanks for the reply.

When I first powered it up to go through the initial setup, I tried to use my Apple ID password. It was rejected with a message stating that Apple now requires your iCloud password to be different than your Apple ID.

In any event, I can understand the security for mobile devices but they don't require typing your passwords. I looked at the link you provided - I have the passwords, just tired to typing them in to change some settings.

 

[tbgb50]

OK, I made some notes while noodling around:

1. Have to use new iCloud password to login to the Mini (no problem)
2. Apple ID password to use the App Store (I get this since it is like my other devices)
3. To change settings on internet accounts, like deleting calendars and access to Reminders I need to use the password for each account within Settings.
4. Changing some of the Mini settings requires entering my iCloud ID - on my other devices this is not the case

As mentioned earlier copy/paste doesn't work.

My only reference points are my iPhone and iPad where I can change settings for internet accounts without any passwords.

Stretch - is there anyway to use my phone as an authenticator on the Mini i.e. face ID?

If this is how it has to work, I won't be happy, but please let me know so I can move on.

Thanks again.

 

[Bigwaff]

You could always splurge for the Magic Keyboard with Touch-Id

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac models with Apple silicon - US English

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID features a sleek design and rechargeable battery and pairs automatically with your Mac.

www.apple.com

And then you use your fingerprint instead typing your password.

 

[tbgb50]

I had considered the Magic Keyboard but the lack of a numeric keypad makes this a non-starter. I do a lot of spreadsheet work which would make the trade-off less productive.

I just thought maybe I was doing something wrong since I am new to MacOS.

I'm going to assume that once I have everything the way I want it setup the issues will be minimal. Setting things up was not one pass, like I found my all my calendars linked to Outlook and I started getting notification from Reminders for tasks I had on Google calendar that are actually linked from Todoist.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Bigwaff]

I had considered the Magic Keyboard but the lack of a numeric keypad makes this a non-starter. I do a lot of spreadsheet work which would make the trade-off less productive.

There is a full size version with a numeric keypad.

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Mac models with Apple silicon - US English - Black Keys

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad features a sleek design and a long lasting rechargeable battery and pairs automatically with your Mac.

www.apple.com

 

[August West]

There is a full size version with a numeric keypad.

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Mac models with Apple silicon - US English - Black Keys

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad features a sleek design and a long lasting rechargeable battery and pairs automatically with your Mac.

www.apple.com

I upgraded to the Magic Keyboard when I upgraded my 2012 mini to an M2 last year. Well worth the investment for me.

 

[tbgb50]

There is a full size version with a numeric keypad.

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Mac models with Apple silicon - US English - Black Keys

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad features a sleek design and a long lasting rechargeable battery and pairs automatically with your Mac.

www.apple.com

I can't thank you enough for all of the help - I just ordered one!