Why can't I successfully set up a Recovery Key?

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Level 1

22 points

Why can't I successfully set up a Recovery Key?

I have tried repeatedly to set up a recovery key. Each time I try, I am asked to enter the generated recovery key manually into this dialog box labeled "Enter your 28-character recovery key to continue."

Each time, I carefully enter the characters - double checking that I am entering them correctly, and each time, I am shown a red error message below the field: "The recovery key you entered is not valid.":

PLEASE do not respond with any suggestions to re-check that I've correctly entered the recovery key -- I have tried it many many times, it never works. I always see this message.

MacBook Air Apple Silicon

Posted on Oct 3, 2022 11:04 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

83,987 points

Oct 3, 2022 11:35 AM in response to jlachoff

Is Caps Lock ever on?

Is Num Lock ever on?

Is Scroll lock ever on?

some of these do not apply to built-in keyboards and Apple specific keyboard. You can't use any persistent modifier keys when entering passwords in.

Make sure the flashing cursor does not backtrack when typing it in. If your thumb is too close to the trackpad, it can inadvertently move the cursor while typing the password in, thus rewriting the password from a different point.

You can use the Terminal to set it up.

https://www.manpagez.com/man/8/fdesetup/

Keep in mind, Filevault can be very counterproductive when attempting to import data to new machines, or run a backup. Decrypt before backing up, re-encrypt after. Keep an eye on the system so access is restricted during the whole process.

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Answer 2

jlachoff Author

Level 1

22 points

Oct 3, 2022 12:07 PM in response to a brody

Thanks, but not helpful. I am NOT experiencing an inability to correctly enter the characters. I know this because I successfully set up a different recovery key, on another computer, with a different Apple ID, just minutes before going through this issue on my computer.

And, fwiw, I used caps lock on the first computer with no issues. If the feature required entering uppercase characters only as lowercase keystrokes THAT WOULD BE A BUG.

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Why can't I successfully set up a Recovery Key?

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