Q: Boot priority and firmware password
Due to the fact that I usually use linux on usb, when i bought a MBP, I set the usb to the primary boot device by entering the start up manager and clicking it while pressing the control key. Even when I detached my usb drive, I was able to boot in to OS X. However, due to the nature of my work, I set a firmware password on my mac. After this, I was unable to boot into OS X unless I manually enter the start up manager and select the disk. Therefore, I was just wondering if I can set a list of bootable devices which will not be affected by the firmware password for the machine to refer to while booting up. Some PCs provide this feature but I am not sure if mac does. Furthermore, I wonder if the bless command can provide such an option. My usb is mbr so start up disk will not work. This will make my work easier and more efficient, any help will be appreciated.
MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)
Posted on Nov 18, 2015 5:21 PM
Please see Use a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support for the firmware password functionality.
Once set, it is enforced as follows...
Unlock your Mac using a firmware password
When you start your Mac from your normal startup disk, you see the normal login window where you enter your user account password. If you try to start up from another drive, or from OS X Recovery, your Mac pauses startup and displays a lock icon with a password field instead.
There is no available method to white-list non-password devices.
Posted on Nov 18, 2015 11:08 PM