Double login screen on Big Sur

JhonnyAxe wrote:

Hey everyone!

I've got a problem: every time I reboot/launch my Mac I have a login screen. I enter my password and the process is completed, but after this I am asked to enter this one more time. And I finally get the access after the second attempt of typing it in. I didn't have this issue on Catalina.

It sounds like Disk encryption got enabled on your install.

This is normal— The preboot partition contains the code which handles the login for an encrypted drive, after that is successfully unlocked it is handed off to the main OS

When you have an encrypted boot volume you receive a log-in screen before the main OS boots, you have to authenticate that in order for the encryption key for the boot volume to be released, and here you log into your user account.

You do not have to shutdown. Simply let the mac sleep. If you want to secure your user logged in, use the key combination— Control Command Q — for a lock screen before you close the lid.

I have a similar issue. It seems like a bug that started with Big Sur. When I use my fingerprint, it logs in as normal and I get about 3 seconds before the login prompt appears again - the second attempt keeps me in permanently,.

If you originally formatted the disk APFS Encrypted, the key cannot be entered into the keychain at this stage and you will be left with having to manually enter it at each boot, as well as the normal User Account password.

I think there is a Terminal command to put it into the Keychain, but cannot remember it offhand.

Else, make sure you have good Time Machine backup. Boot into a USB installer or Recovery partition. Erase the disk and delete any extra volumes except one. Format APFS unencrypted. Reinstall the system and enable Filevault when given the option during setup, or any time afterwards. The encryption key will now be available in the Keychain.

Afraid not. It still happens every day. I just haven’t got around to chasing apple up about it.

it can join a list of a 100 other bugs I have lol

Have you verified if FileVault is or is not enabled? That will eliminate us guessing.

I can’t speak for the OP. But my FileVault is disabled.

my double login definitely resembles a bug rather than a feature.

Good to know. So @ leroydouglas correctly assessed the issue - FileVault. Mystery solved.

To Turn OFF FileVault >> System Preference >> Security & Privacy >> Tab Labeled " FileVault" >> Disable.

Maybe somebody else knows the Terminal command?