13 inch macbook air with M1chip, what password is required

Question

Level 1

8 points

13 inch macbook air with M1chip, what password is required

A few days ago I set up a new 13 inch MBA with the M1chip and Touch ID and it was a breeze. At some point I created a password for an Apple Computer Account. The username was provided for me. I have no idea what it was for but it was the only password I recall creating. That day I gained access only with Touch ID. Now it says my password is required to enable Touch ID. What password does it want?? The one I created for an Apple Computer Account doesn't work, my apple ID doesn't work. The passcode on my old MacBook Air and iPhone doesn't work. I have no idea what it wants and there is no option for a forgotten password. What am I missing?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jan 31, 2021 7:05 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

FoxFifth

Level 10

472,167 points

Jan 31, 2021 8:33 AM in response to 240-CWL

Even with an MBA that has Touch ID you still sometimes need to enter the user password, including every time you restart the device. It is the password you created for your username on that MBA, not your Apple ID password.

The following may help: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/reset-your-mac-login-password-mh35902/mac

Reply

Answer 2

FoxFifth

Level 10

472,167 points

Jan 31, 2021 11:07 AM in response to 240-CWL

I just restarted my MacBook Pro which has Big Sur installed and found that it is slightly different than the instructions in https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/reset-your-mac-login-password-mh35902/mac

The ? on mine is in a circle to the right of the password field rather than in the password field (and I didn't need to click anything to make the ? appear) -- although it is close enough that I suspect that you would have noticed it. The rest of my screen is exactly as you describe in your post.

Reply

Answer 3

240-CWL Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 31, 2021 10:32 AM in response to FoxFifth

The reset directions all say to restart and click your user account and click the ? in the password filed. When I restart I see only my photo, my name below it (neither of it can be clicked on) and a password field without a ?. Below that field is the phrase Your password is required to enable Touch ID and further down at the bottom are the options Shut Down, Restart and Sleep. Any help following these instructions would be appreciated.

Reply