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Why is the backlit keyboard not working at login after booting a MacBook Pro?
Makes it difficult to login in the dark.
I was always hoping this changes with the next Mac OS update but still remains as is at 11.2.1
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.2
It's a FileVault thing...
When FileVault is enabled it encrypts EVERYTHING on the SSD and doesn't allow even the computer to have access to that data until you enter your password. That includes the software that loads during startup which would normally activate such things as the backlighting on your keyboard and the touch-bar. Which is why, with FileVault enabled, the login screen you get at startup is stored on Apple's version of their BIOS chipset, NOT on the SSD. After you enter your password on startup the decryption process begins and all of those necessary pieces of software start to load. Making your keyboard backlight turn on and your touch-bar activate.
This is not a flaw or an oversight. It is how FileVault was built and how it protects against ALL AVENUES of data breech/intrusion. You'll be amazed at how hackers can devise code to use the backlight of the keyboard to hack into data on the storage device.
So, now that you know why. Here are are your choices.....
1) If You Want To Maintain Filevault's Superior Encryption (Recommended By Me) Step 1- Do Nothing
2) If You Want To Have Keyboard Backlight & Touchbar Functionality Step 1- Open 'System Preferences' Step 2- Click 'Security And Privacy' Step 3- Click 'Filevault' Tab Step 4- Click Picture Of Lock (Located On Lower Lefthand Side Of Current Window) Step 5- Enter 'Password' Step 6- Click 'Turn Off Filevault' Step 7- Click 'Restart & Turn Off Encryption' Step 8- Your Backlight And Touch Bar Should Work On Startup From Now On. Step 9- If It Didn't Work Bring Your Computer Into Apple. Problem Is Not Fixable.
It's a FileVault thing...
When FileVault is enabled it encrypts EVERYTHING on the SSD and doesn't allow even the computer to have access to that data until you enter your password. That includes the software that loads during startup which would normally activate such things as the backlighting on your keyboard and the touch-bar. Which is why, with FileVault enabled, the login screen you get at startup is stored on Apple's version of their BIOS chipset, NOT on the SSD. After you enter your password on startup the decryption process begins and all of those necessary pieces of software start to load. Making your keyboard backlight turn on and your touch-bar activate.
This is not a flaw or an oversight. It is how FileVault was built and how it protects against ALL AVENUES of data breech/intrusion. You'll be amazed at how hackers can devise code to use the backlight of the keyboard to hack into data on the storage device.
So, now that you know why. Here are are your choices.....
1) If You Want To Maintain Filevault's Superior Encryption (Recommended By Me) Step 1- Do Nothing
2) If You Want To Have Keyboard Backlight & Touchbar Functionality Step 1- Open 'System Preferences' Step 2- Click 'Security And Privacy' Step 3- Click 'Filevault' Tab Step 4- Click Picture Of Lock (Located On Lower Lefthand Side Of Current Window) Step 5- Enter 'Password' Step 6- Click 'Turn Off Filevault' Step 7- Click 'Restart & Turn Off Encryption' Step 8- Your Backlight And Touch Bar Should Work On Startup From Now On. Step 9- If It Didn't Work Bring Your Computer Into Apple. Problem Is Not Fixable.
Wow! Thank you very much for this extensive answer. It solved my ignorance. Crazy though that the Keyboard Backlight functionality is vulnerable to attacks.
backlit keyboard not working at login
