I have a MacOS X Mavericks installation with a single user Admin and empty password for that account:
Now I'm trying to install Cocoapods, but can't use "sudo", because I don't know the root password:
admin@mac:etc> id
uid=501(admin) gid=20(staff) groups=20(staff),401(com.apple.sharepoint.group.1),12(everyone),61(localaccounts),79(_appserverusr),80(admin),81(_appserveradm),98(_lpadmin),33(_appstore),100(_lpoperator),204(_developer),398(com.apple.access_screensharing),399(com.apple.access_ssh)
admin@mac:etc> id root
uid=0(root) gid=0(wheel) groups=0(wheel),1(daemon),2(kmem),3(sys),4(tty),5(operator),8(procview),9(procmod),12(everyone),20(staff),29(certusers),61(localaccounts),80(admin),401(com.apple.sharepoint.group.1),33(_appstore),98(_lpadmin),100(_lpoperator),204(_developer),398(com.apple.access_screensharing),399(com.apple.access_ssh)
admin@mac:etc> sudo gem install cocoapods
WARNING: Improper use of the sudo command could lead to data loss
or the deletion of important system files. Please double-check your
typing when using sudo. Type "man sudo" for more information.
To proceed, enter your password, or type Ctrl-C to abort.
Password:
Sorry, try again.
Password:
Sorry, try again.
Password:
Sorry, try again.
sudo: 3 incorrect password attempts
On Linux I would boot the machine in single user mode and set the root password. Or add Admin user to wheel groupd and uncomment this line in /etc/sudoers:
%wheel ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL
But in MacOS I don't know what to do.
I also can't find the /etc/sudoers when I run text editor or MacVim.
Best Answer
Have a look at this Apple Support article. It states:
Is there a reason why you can't change the password for this user?