How to Show or Disable Password Hints in macOS with a Shell Script

This guide will help you learn on how to show or disable password hints in macOS using a shell script. Password policies aren’t just about complexity and rotation—they’re also about the user experience when something goes wrong. On macOS, the login window can display a password hint after a specified number of failed attempts. For managed fleets, toggling that behavior consistently is invaluable.

This post walks through a Show Password Hints macOS shell script that lets you centrally configure how many failed attempts (0–5) should be allowed before showing a hint—or disable hints entirely. If you’ve ever needed information on how to Show Password Hints in macOS with a script , or a Shell script for macOS to Show Password Hints, you’re in the right place.

Background

macOS stores login window settings in preference domains under /Library/Preferences. The key that governs password hints is RetriesUntilHint in the com.apple.loginwindow domain. Setting RetriesUntilHint to a positive integer will display a user’s password hint after that many failed attempts; setting it to 0 disables hints. For IT teams and MSPs, centrally controlling that value reduces support friction (fewer lockout tickets) while respecting security posture (avoiding overly revealing hints).

The script below codifies that control path. It brings guardrails (input validation, idempotence, clear messaging) and is designed to run as root locally, via an MDM, or from an RMM like NinjaOne.

The Script

#!/usr/bin/env bash
#
# Description: Configure the number of failed password attempts before displaying the password hint. Set to 0 to disable password hints.
# By using this script, you indicate your acceptance of the following legal terms as well as our Terms of Use at https://www.ninjaone.com/terms-of-use.
# Ownership Rights: NinjaOne owns and will continue to own all right, title, and interest in and to the script (including the copyright). NinjaOne is giving you a limited license to use the script in accordance with these legal terms. 
# Use Limitation: You may only use the script for your legitimate personal or internal business purposes, and you may not share the script with another party. 
# Republication Prohibition: Under no circumstances are you permitted to re-publish the script in any script library or website belonging to or under the control of any other software provider. 
# Warranty Disclaimer: The script is provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranty of any kind. NinjaOne makes no promise or guarantee that the script will be free from defects or that it will meet your specific needs or expectations. 
# Assumption of Risk: Your use of the script is at your own risk. You acknowledge that there are certain inherent risks in using the script, and you understand and assume each of those risks. 
# Waiver and Release: You will not hold NinjaOne responsible for any adverse or unintended consequences resulting from your use of the script, and you waive any legal or equitable rights or remedies you may have against NinjaOne relating to your use of the script. 
# EULA: If you are a NinjaOne customer, your use of the script is subject to the End User License Agreement applicable to you (EULA).
#
# Preset Parameter: --numberOfFailedAttempts 3
#		Enter the number of failed password attempts before displaying the password hint to the user. This value must be between 0 and 5. 0 disables password hints.
#
# Preset Parameter: --help
#		Displays some help text.
#
# Version: 1.0
# Release Notes: Initial Release

_arg_attempts=

print_help() {
    printf '\n%s\n\n' 'Usage: [--numberOfFailedAttempts|-n <arg>] [--help|-h]'
    printf '%s\n' 'Preset Parameter: --numberOfFailedAttempts 3'
    printf '\t%s\n' "Enter the number of failed password attempts before displaying the password hint to the user. This value must be between 0 and 5. 0 disables password hints."
    printf '%s\n' 'Preset Parameter: --help'
    printf '\t%s\n' "Displays this help menu."
}

die() {
    local _ret="${2:-1}"
    echo "$1" >&2
    test "${_PRINT_HELP:-no}" = yes && print_help >&2
    exit "${_ret}"
}

parse_commandline() {
    while test $# -gt 0; do
        _key="$1"
        case "$_key" in
        --numberoffailedattempts | --numberOfFailedAttempts | -n)
            test $# -lt 2 && die "[Error] Missing value for the required argument '$_key'." 1
            _arg_attempts=$2
            shift
            ;;
        --numberoffailedattempts=* | --numberOfFailedAttempts=* | -n=*)
            _arg_attempts="${_key##*=}"
            ;;
        --help | -h)
            _PRINT_HELP=yes die "" 0
            ;;
        *)
            _PRINT_HELP=yes die "[Error] Got an unexpected argument '$1'" 1
            ;;
        esac
        shift
    done
}

parse_commandline "$@"

# Import script variables
if [[ -n $numberOfFailedAttempts ]]; then
    _arg_attempts="$numberOfFailedAttempts"
fi

# Error if not running as root
if [[ $(id -u) -ne 0 ]]; then
    _PRINT_HELP=no
    die "[Error] This script must be run with root permissions. Try running it with sudo or as the system/root user." 1
fi

# Error if length of _arg_attempts is 0 (no argument entered)
if [[ -z $_arg_attempts ]]; then
    _PRINT_HELP=yes
    die "[Error] Number of failed attempts must be specified. Please enter a number between 0 and 5. 0 will disable password hints." 1
fi

# Error if _arg_attempts is not an integer
if ! [[ $_arg_attempts =~ ^-?[0-9]+$ ]]; then
    _PRINT_HELP=yes
    die "[Error] '$_arg_attempts' is not an integer. Number of failed attempts must be an integer between 0 and 5. 0 will disable password hints." 1
fi

# Validate number of attempts is within range
if [[ $_arg_attempts -lt 0 || $_arg_attempts -gt 5 ]]; then
    _PRINT_HELP=yes
    die "[Error] '$_arg_attempts' is out of range. Number of failed attempts must be between 0 and 5. 0 will disable password hints." 1
fi

# Set defaults path and name variables
defaults_path="/Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow"
defaults_name="RetriesUntilHint"

# Capture the current value of the setting
currentValue=$(defaults read "$defaults_path" "$defaults_name" 2>&1)

# If the value does not exist, set it to 0
if [[ "$currentValue" == *"does not exist"* ]]; then
    currentValue=0
fi

# Check if we are disabling password hints
disabling=$(if [[ $_arg_attempts -eq 0 ]]; then echo "TRUE"; else echo "FALSE"; fi)

# Check if value is already set to the desired value
# If not, then set the value
if [[ $currentValue -eq $_arg_attempts ]]; then
    if [[ $disabling == "TRUE" ]]; then
        echo "[Info] Password hints are already disabled."
    else
        echo "[Info] Attempts limit for password hints is already set to $_arg_attempts."
    fi
else
    # Change output if we are disabling password hints
    if [[ $disabling == "TRUE" ]]; then
        echo "[Info] Disabling password hints."
    else
        echo "[Info] Setting attempts limit for password hints to $_arg_attempts."
    fi

    # Attempt to set the new value
    if ! defaultsOutput=$(defaults write "$defaults_path" "$defaults_name" -int "$_arg_attempts" 2>&1); then
        echo "[Error] Failed to set attempts limit for password hints to value '$_arg_attempts'." >&2
        _PRINT_HELP=no
        die "[Error] $defaultsOutput" 1
    else
        if [[ $disabling == "TRUE" ]]; then
            echo "[Info] Successfully disabled password hints."
        else
            echo "[Info] Successfully set attempts limit for password hints to $_arg_attempts."
        fi
    fi
fi

Detailed Breakdown

What the script does

• Accepts –numberOfFailedAttempts (or -n) with a value 0–5.
• Validates that it’s run as root.
• Verifies the argument is present, is an integer, and is within range.
• Reads the current RetriesUntilHint value.
• If the target value matches the current one, it exits gracefully.
• Otherwise, it writes the new value and reports success.

Key components

1. Argument parsing and help
   • Supports –numberOfFailedAttempts|-n and –help|-h.
   • Also honors an environment variable numberOfFailedAttempts (useful when injecting parameters from your RMM/MDM).
   • On invalid or missing input, it prints a concise help menu and exits.
2. Privilege check

Ensures the script runs with root privileges:
if [[ $(id -u) -ne 0 ]]; then … fi

• Without root, defaults write to /Library/Preferences will fail.

1. Input validation
   • Ensures a value was supplied.
   • Ensures the value is an integer.
   • Enforces the range 0..5 and fails fast if out of bounds.
2. Current state detection

Uses:
defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow RetriesUntilHint

• If the key doesn’t exist, it treats the current value as 0 for comparison (a common macOS pattern where absence implies the system default).

1. Desired state calculation
   • Determines whether the instruction is to disable hints (0) or enable them after N attempts (1–5).
   • Example messages:
     • “Password hints are already disabled.”
     • “Attempts limit for password hints is already set to 3.”
2. Idempotent write

Only writes when the current value differs:
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow RetriesUntilHint -int “$_arg_attempts”

• Clean success and error paths with helpful context.

Potential Use Cases

Case study: An MSP supports a finance firm with a strict lockout policy. Users often forget passwords after vacation. The MSP chooses to show hints after 3 failed attempts to reduce help desk tickets, but disables hints entirely on administrative and shared kiosk devices.

• A NinjaOne policy targets general endpoints with –numberOfFailedAttempts 3.
• An override policy targets privileged devices with –numberOfFailedAttempts 0.
• Ticket volume drops for routine resets, while privileged systems maintain tighter security.

Comparisons

• Graphical method: Historically, admins might toggle hint-related behavior via System Settings or by guiding users to maintain good hints. That doesn’t scale and isn’t enforceable across fleets.
• Configuration profile (MDM): You can deploy a com.apple.loginwindow payload setting RetriesUntilHint. Profiles enforce a managed state but are less ad hoc than a script. Profiles are ideal for “always-on” baselines; scripts are great for remediation, testing, or conditional logic.
• Login window scripts vs. direct plist edits: This script abstracts defaults usage and adds validation, idempotence, and clear logging—safer than ad-hoc commands.

Implications

Enabling hints after a few failures improves usability and reduces low-value tickets. However, poorly written hints can leak sensitive information (“First dog’s name + birth year”). Disabling hints hardens the login experience but may increase lockouts. The right balance depends on your risk tolerance, device role, and user population.

From a compliance lens, documenting why and where you enable hints—and ensuring hints follow secure composition guidance—helps auditors understand your rationale. From a security perspective, apply stricter settings on privileged, shared, and kiosk systems.

Recommendations

• Choose per-role defaults: Workstations 3, executive and admin 0–1, kiosks 0.
• Govern hint content: Provide guidance so hints never reveal actual password material or sensitive PII.
• Automate drift correction: Run this script on a schedule or enforce via MDM profiles for baselines; use the script for remediation.
• Log outcomes: Capture “[Info]” lines to your RMM/MDM logs for change tracking.
• Test on a pilot group: Validate behavior across macOS versions and login scenarios before broad rollout.
• Pair with lockout policy: Align attempts-to-hint with lockout thresholds to avoid unintended lockouts.

Final Thoughts

When you need consistent, auditable control over password hint behavior, this script is a practical lever. In NinjaOne, you can package it as a reusable macOS script, parameterize numberOfFailedAttempts per policy or dynamic group, and report on outcomes centrally. Combine it with targeted policies for privileged devices, and you’ll strike the right balance between user experience and security—without manual effort on every Mac.