Restoring deleted 'root' user and password for MySQL

Question

I accidentally deleted the root user on my local dev setup of MAMP/MySQL running on OS X. There are no other users created to get back into MySQL.

Thi

Answer 1

Just wanted to contribute how I resolved this. If you accidentally deleted the root user in MAMP PRO and are using OSX with Time Machine backups. Simply go to this folder in finder:

/Library/Application Support/appsolute/

Then 'Enter Time Machine' from the top menu bar and restore a recent backup of the MAMP PRO folder. Saved a lot of hassle for me.

Answer 2

I have a quick and dirty way

Get someone with SysAdmin rights and do the following:

1. Add 'skip-grant-tables' to my.cnf under the [mysqld] section

2. restart mysql

3. type mysql with no password and hit enter

4. Run This:

   DELETE FROM mysql.user 
   WHERE  user = 'root' 
          AND host = 'localhost'; 
   
   INSERT INTO mysql.user 
   SET user = 'root', 
       host = 'localhost', 
       password = Password('whatevernewpassword'), 
       Select_priv = 'y',
       Insert_priv = 'y',
       Update_priv = 'y',
       Delete_priv = 'y',
       Create_priv = 'y',
       Drop_priv = 'y',
       Reload_priv = 'y',
       Shutdown_priv = 'y',
       Process_priv = 'y',
       File_priv = 'y',
       Grant_priv = 'y',
       References_priv = 'y',
       Index_priv = 'y',
       Alter_priv = 'y',
       Show_db_priv = 'y',
       Super_priv = 'y',
       Create_tmp_table_priv = 'y',
       Lock_tables_priv = 'y',
       Execute_priv = 'y',
       Repl_slave_priv = 'y',
       Repl_client_priv = 'y',
       Create_view_priv = 'y',
       Show_view_priv = 'y',
       Create_routine_priv = 'y',
       Alter_routine_priv = 'y',
       Create_user_priv = 'y',
       Event_priv = 'y',
       Trigger_priv = 'y',
       Create_tablespace_priv = 'y';
   

5. exit from mysql

6. remove 'skip-grant-tables' from my.cnf under the [mysqld] section

7. restart mysql

That should be all!

Answer 3

I did exactly the same thing yesterday, being new to macs and the sql server. I accidentally deleted the root user because I pressed the wrong button in Privileges whilst trying to set up a new user and password.

I did not have any work of any use on this computer so was not worried about deleting my websites.

• I first uninstalled MAMP Pro (for which I had an icon in Launchpad).
• I then deleted MAMP directory from the Applications folder.
• I then reinstalled MAMP from the internet download.
• I then DELETED all my cookies, cache etc from safari.
• I shut down my computer and rebooted.

I now have access to phpMyAdmin through the link on the startup page once MAMP is booted.