- Go to: 'System Preferences' >> 'MySQL' and stop MySQL
OR,
- sudo /usr/local/mysql/support-files/mysql.server start
- sudo /usr/local/mysql/support-files/mysql.server stop
- sudo /usr/local/mysql/support-files/mysql.server status
- 
Make sure you have Stopped MySQL first (above). 
- 
Run the server in safe mode with privilege bypass: sudo mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables
- 
In a new window connect to the database, set a new password and flush the permissions & quit: mysql -u root
- 
For MySQL older than MySQL 5.7 use: UPDATE mysql.user SET Password=PASSWORD('rootpass') WHERE User='root'; For MySQL 5.7+ use: UPDATE mysql.user SET authentication_string=PASSWORD("rootpass") WHERE User='root'; 
- 
Now flush privileges: FLUSH PRIVILEGES; 
- 
Restart MySQL server. 
- 
More info: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6474775/setting-the-mysql-root-user-password-on-os-x 
while doing this
I'm getting this error
ERROR 2002 (HY000): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/tmp/mysql.sock' (2)