I forgot the code to start my MacBook Pro. How do I find it?

Hi pagewon,

Where did you purchase your new Mac from? If it's asking for a code right out of the box, that's a good indication that it was likely stolen.

Some of the possible screens you might run into:

• If your Mac is asking for a login password: The previous owner failed to properly erase the Mac. Follow these steps, depending on what processor or chip you Mac uses:
  • Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support (CA)
  • Use Disk Utility to erase a Mac with Apple silicon - Apple Support (CA)

• If your Mac is asking for a 6-digit system lock PIN: The Mac has been locked via Find My Mac by a previous owner. You should assume the Mac is lost or stolen, and check with your local law enforcement. If they confirm the device isn't lost or stolen, contact the previous owner for the code. If they cannot provide it, return the Mac and demand a full refund.

• If your Mac starts up to an Activate Mac window, and it asks for an Apple ID and password: Same scenario as above. If local law enforcement confirms that the device isn't lost or stolen, ask the previous owner to remove Activation Lock. If they cannot do that, return the Mac and demand a full refund.

• In the Setup Assistant, you run into a Remote Management screen: The Mac belongs to a company, and was likely obtained illegitimately. Contact the company in question and confirm whether the device belongs to them. If they no longer want it, they can remove the device from their organization remotely.

• On an Apple silicon (M1 and future) Mac, you're prompted for a special password on a black background when you try to start up from macOS Recovery: Same scenario and fix as the Remote Management screen.

• On an Intel-based Mac, you run into a padlock when holding down the Option key at startup: A firmware password is set. This doesn't necessarily indicate that the Mac is lost or stolen, but it has most certainly been used before, and you won't be able to access certain important functions without that password. If your Mac has the T2 Security Chip, and you have another Mac available, restore (not revive) the firmware to clear the firmware password. Otherwise, return the Mac and demand a full refund.

If the Mac was properly erased, it should start up to the Setup Assistant when you open it, and allow you to create a new user account. If this was the case, and you simply forgot your login password, try the steps in these articles to reset your password:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202860

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT212190

pagewon wrote:

How can I get a code to open my new computer. There is no “forgot my code”

If your Mac doesn't start up all the way

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204156