[mysql] How do I retrieve my MySQL username and password?

An improvement to the most useful answer here:

1] No need to restart the mysql server
2] Security concern for a MySQL server connected to a network

There is no need to restart the MySQL server.

use FLUSH PRIVILEGES; after the update mysql.user statement for password change.

The FLUSH statement tells the server to reload the grant tables into memory so that it notices the password change.

The --skip-grant-options enables anyone to connect without a password and with all privileges. Because this is insecure, you might want to

use --skip-grant-tables in conjunction with --skip-networking to prevent remote clients from connecting.

from: reference: resetting-permissions-generic