Reset Netgate / pfSense Admin Password from macOS (Serial Console Guide)
This walkthrough documents the cleanest recovery path for Netgate appliances running pfSense CE or pfSense Plus using a MacBook and the serial console this way we may avoid config loss, performing a factory reset, or a whipe/reinstall.
This is written as a practical runbook you can keep around for the next time someone locks themselves out.
What This Fixes (and What It Doesnβt)
This procedure:
- Resets the admin webConfigurator password
- Preserves your full pfSense configuration
- Works even if the web UI is unreachable
This does not:
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