How to Reset Django Admin Password?

Forgetting or needing to reset the admin password in Django is a common issue that can be resolved in a few easy steps. Django provides several ways to reset the admin password, depending on the situation. In this article, we'll explore multiple methods to help you recover or reset the password for your Django admin account.

Reset Password via Django Shell

One of the easiest ways to reset the Django admin password is by using the Django shell. The Django shell is a Python shell that interacts with your project’s models and database. This method is quick and does not require you to restart the server.

Open the Django Shell

In your terminal, navigate to your Django project directory and run the following command:

python manage.py shell

Import the User Model

Once inside the shell, import the User model from django.contrib.auth.models:

from django.contrib.auth.models import User

Find the Admin User

Retrieve the admin user by their username or email. For example, to find the admin by username:

user = User.objects.get(username='admin')

Replace 'admin' with the username of the admin account, you need to reset it.

Set a New Password

Now, use the set_password() method to reset the admin password:

user.set_password('new_password')
user.save()

Replace 'new_password' with your desired password. Make sure to save the user after resetting the password.

Exit the Shell

Once you’ve set the new password, type exit() to close the Django shell.

Your admin password has now been reset, and you can log in with the new credentials.

Reset Password Using the changepassword Command

Django also provides a built-in management command called changepassword, which is another simple way to reset the password for any user account, including admin accounts.

Run the changepassword Command

In your terminal, use the following command:

python manage.py changepassword admin

Replace admin with the username of the admin account.

Enter a New Password

After running the command, you’ll be prompted to enter a new password for the user:

Changing password for user 'admin'
Password: ********
Password (again): ********

Password Successfully Changed

After confirming the new password, you’ll receive a message saying that the password has been successfully changed. You can now log in to the Django admin interface using the new password.

Conclusion

Resetting a Django admin password can be done quickly and easily using the Django shell, management commands, or through the admin interface. Each method offers a simple solution depending on your access to the system.