Firmware Password suddenly required for startup commands (can't access Recovery Mode or Boot Discs)

If you don't know the firmware password, then your only option is to take the Mac to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider along with the proper proof of purchase and personal ID. I recommend you contact the Apple Store or AASP to confirm what paper work and ID will be accepted.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455

FYI, one of our technicians encountered a firmware lock spontaneously enable while he was working on it. One moment he had full access and the next moment he encountered the firmware lock. Always make sure to keep your original proof of purchase to be safe. This also means people must be extremely careful purchasing used Macs since the new owner won't have valid proof of purchase unless it is purchased directly from Apple (or possibly an authorized reseller).

elisha918 wrote:

I'm having the same exact problem and it's really p*ssing me off when they look at me or snidely remark "Are you sure you didn't just forget it?"

Karen...I would remember doing it if I had but.....

after the Big Sur update my Mac developed an attitude and decided she didn't want to be mess with anymore 🙃

I had a co-worker encounter a spontaneously activated firmware password while he was working on a Mac years ago so I know it can happen. After all it probably just requires one bit to be flipped somewhere to make the Mac think a firmware password is active. Unfortunately your only option to remove the firmware lock is to provide an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider with valid proof of purchase along with valid ID. I suggest calling the Apple Store or AASP first to confirm exactly what documents are acceptable.

Your only other options are to provide product feedback to Apple here (FYI, Apple will not contact you to address the feedback):

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

You can try contacting Apple corporate to inform them of the details of your situation. Maybe if Apple receives enough complaints they will realize there may be a problem.

Check out your local consumer protection laws to see if any can help you.

Samseeram wrote:

My problem didn’t resolve up to now it still having the same password problem asking for firmware password , it’s a black screen with a padlock!!! Nope it didn’t resolve I just don’t know what to do.......stress out!!

I've already posted the only solution if you don't know the password or if the "known" password does not work. Only Apple or an AASP can remove the firmware lock after you provide valid proof of purchase and personal ID.

If you don't have a local Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, then you will need to contact Apple directly to find out your options. Click the "Get Support" link at the top right of this page. Navigating that link should eventually provide you an option to chat with Apple tech support. You can also use the information in this link to contact Apple:

https://www.apple.com/contact/

Edit: AFAIK, removing the firmware lock requires taking the computer and the proper documentation to an Apple Store or AASP. If these options are not available, then you will not be able to boot your Mac using any special key commands, but you can still use the Mac as long as you can boot to the internal drive.

User wrote " With my USB copy of Mojave and my recent Time Machine backup plugged in, I rebooted my iMac and held Command+R " - sorry the if am understanding what you intended to do was Wipe the drive and reinstall Mojave? If so, the command + r is Recovery Mode - you have the USB Mojave attached - Boot and hold Option and choose the USB Installer Drive. Perform what I think you wanted to do.

pbsum83 wrote:

I provided proof of ownership to Apple but they told me they cannot do anything unless I bring the computer into a store and pay $200,

That seems excessive for removing a firmware lock if you are able to provide proper proof of purchase. Maybe you should see what an Apple Authorized Service Provider will charge to remove the firmware lock.

Looks like my iMac became a paperweight overnight. Be careful updating, even if you're prepared... this isn't supposed to happen.

The firmware lock doesn't quite make the Mac a brick since it will still boot to the internal drive like normal. However, if anything happens to the internal drive, then you will have a difficult time getting the Mac running again since you won't be able to boot using any special commands.

If they knew the password they wouldn't be asking how to get it.

The firmware lock is a security feature so there is no way to retrieve the password as that would completely defeat the purpose of the firmware lock.

I have the same problem . I have a mid 2012 MacbookPro Retina 15" that I purchased secondhand from the original owner in 2015 . The owner was writing apps for IOS , and changed jobs and was provided with a new MacBookAir and decided to sell the first machine , which I purchased for cash . Original owner cleaned the disk of all content and performed reset to original version of Mountain Lion , and then reinstalled upgrade to Sierra . No problems until two years ago when I tried to install Mojave to be compatible with some external recording software . Upgrade did not install correctly , and I attempted to clean the disk and reboot from TimeMachine back up , but was met with firmware password window , which had never occurred previously , and I know that there was no firmware password installed prior to this . I spent days searching for a remedy , especially as with older models , it seems that removal of battery and RAM would 'force' a reset - this is not possible on my model as RAM is soldered into place and Firmware passcode cannot be bypassed . Not having the original proof of purchase receipt excludes any intervention on the part of certified Apple repair , let alone the prohibitive cost , even though there is only content and proof of my identity on the hard drive that would be irrefutable upon examination . So I cannot reboot in recovery , nor enter recovery mode , nor wipe the disk to factory reset . It does seem to be extreme , being that the fault occurred as a result of a recommended proprietary upgrade from Apple , who impose ultimate proprietary status over the device and deny me the possibility of rectifying this fault , on the premise that this security measure will protect the machine , and my data , from theft by an unauthorised user . As you state , not only does this curtail the potential of the machine , but it leaves me vulnerable to the continuing performance of the machine , with no accountability by Apple of their defective proprietary firmware . I am also at the point of needing to migrate to a more recent version of OSX , but am very wary of trying to upgrade as any problems could leave me completely stranded . It feels like being held hostage to a user-unfriendly captive who maintains a position of disregard and indifference , given that Apple could remedy this problem that is of their own making .

Samseeram wrote:

How can I get the passcode for this situation?

I've already posted your options in my earlier post. Did you even read it? If you know the firmware password then the article I linked provides instructions to remove the firmware lock.

I perches the courts Guyana it’s a company also for Radio shack I took it back on last Monday back to Courts Guyana the technician Guy look at the passcode issue and said that they cannot do everything About that so I collected a receipt of perching so I have a receipt of perching . I tried updating the laptop and end up like this . Sorry to say . It’s a 2017 MacBook Pro with the black Apple logo !!

I will like to get the laptop to the Apple company because it need to fix the passcode problem . We have a authorized Apple Store in Guyana but that company is a waste of time I took it there to get it fixed but the company cannot do it because I didn’t perches the laptop their. I told them I willing to pay the cost of service but they refused. I am glad to have this problem fix .!!

I'm having the same exact problem and it's really p*ssing me off when they look at me or snidely remark "Are you sure you didn't just forget it?"

Karen...I would remember doing it if I had but.....

after the Big Sur update my Mac developed an attitude and decided she didn't want to be mess with anymore 🙃

My problem didn’t resolve up to now it still having the same password problem asking for firmware password , it’s a black screen with a padlock!!! Nope it didn’t resolve I just don’t know what to do.......stress out!!

Hi I have the same issue I don’t have a film were pass code I need help !