how do you stop an erase option when a mac book pro is stolen

Hi SN65,

Unfortunately, it may not be possible to stop or prevent an erase while your Mac is stolen. Please see below for more details:

Can the thief erase your Mac? In many cases, yes:

• M1 [Pro/Max] MacBook Pro: The thief can erase your Mac by restoring (not reviving) the firmware on the M1 chip. However, if you have Find My Mac enabled, and you don't remove your Mac from your list of devices, Activation Lock will be enforced. When Activation Lock is on, the thief can't use your Mac until your Apple ID and password are provided.

• 2018-2020 Intel-based MacBook Pro: The thief can erase your Mac by restoring (not reviving) the firmware on the T2 Security Chip. However, if you have Find My Mac enabled, and you don't remove your Mac from your list of devices, Activation Lock will be enforced. When Activation Lock is on, the thief can't use your Mac until your Apple ID and password are provided.

• 2016-2017 Intel-based MacBook Pro: You may be able to prevent an erase by setting a firmware password, which blocks access to macOS Recovery. If you haven't already set a firmware password, lock your Mac using Find My Mac. The PIN you set will also be used as a firmware password. REMEMBER THE PIN. Without it, only Apple can remove the lock.

• 2015 or earlier Intel-based MacBook Pro: The thief can physically remove the internal drive and erase it using another computer.

If you erased your Mac via Find My

If you regain possession of your Mac before it connects to the Internet, you can cancel a previously issued erase command.

Please note that Find My Mac will not erase your Mac unless you explicitly request it using the Erase button. As far as I remember, your Apple ID password is required before the erase command is sent or queued.

SN65 Said:

"how do you stop an erase option when a mac book pro is stolen"

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Avoid This.

I'm not so certain you can stop this. It is a theft deterrent, and if you could cancel it. then anyone coould.

SN65 Said:

"I agree... in my case, I got lucky... was able to find my laptop with the help of law enforcement.... I want to avoid rework...."

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Interesting.

Report this to Apple:

Provide Apple Feedback on This: Apple ID: How to Provide Apple Feedback for this Category - User Tip

Do Your Part:  If you keep restoring your items, and you keep coming across this issue, then apparently, it is not be reported enough. So, report this to Apple. The more feedback Apple receives on this, the more they will know what is occurring, and fixes to include in fixes to come.

View Terms & Conditions:

Undoubtedly, it is mentioned in the Terms & Contentions somewhere.

The default is merely to LOCK your device until the code is entered. It only does an erase if you tell it explicitly to erase.

When it starts, it will be done in about a minute.