Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Wipe MacBook Air without password

i bought a MacBook off Facebook. They said they factory reset it but they didn’t. How can I wipe MacBook without password?

MacBook Air

Posted on Aug 3, 2019 10:02 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 3, 2019 10:13 AM

Which password?

EFI or Firmware--there is nothing you can do unless they give you the password or you take it to an Apple Store with your purchase receipt.


User account Password?

Just boot into Internet Recovery and erase the disk using Disk Utility

  • Restart holding down Cmd-Opt-R.
  • When it boots, select Disk Utility
  • From the View popup menu, choose Show all Devices.
  • Select the startup drive device (should be top, left-most with a make/model number for name)
  • Erase it using Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
  • Quit Disk Utility
  • Reinstall Mac OS

If it asks for a password (screen with a padlock on it), then they have set a firmware password. See above.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 3, 2019 10:13 AM in response to kcqylor05

Which password?

EFI or Firmware--there is nothing you can do unless they give you the password or you take it to an Apple Store with your purchase receipt.


User account Password?

Just boot into Internet Recovery and erase the disk using Disk Utility

  • Restart holding down Cmd-Opt-R.
  • When it boots, select Disk Utility
  • From the View popup menu, choose Show all Devices.
  • Select the startup drive device (should be top, left-most with a make/model number for name)
  • Erase it using Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
  • Quit Disk Utility
  • Reinstall Mac OS

If it asks for a password (screen with a padlock on it), then they have set a firmware password. See above.

Wipe MacBook Air without password

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.