Firmware Password suddenly required for startup commands - Sometimes without setting a Firmware password - Cannot access Recovery Mode or Boot Disk Selection

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Firmware Password suddenly required for startup commands - Sometimes without setting a Firmware password - Cannot access Recovery Mode or Boot Disk Selection

I have encountered the situation in subject, when due to a crashed OS update, I found myself locked out of all options, only being able to get to the gray lock logo, asking for the firmware password, which I don't recall ever setting, hence, there was no chance for me to know it.

I read about it quite a lot, with no success of actually resolving it, and was just about to give up and accept I now have a nicely designed paperweight. The only visible option was to take it apart and go through a quite extreme hardware work, or take it to Apple, in hope they will even try to fix it, without me holding any proof of purchase, and even if they do, I understood this is quite costly.

Eventually, I ran into some forum where it was assumed that when setting up the OS for the first time, the "Find My" service, or whatever other names this service previously had, might set the firmware password, as part of the security measures. So, I simply tried to use my iPhone unlock code, and, amazingly, it was indeed the password. Now all is back to normal.

Assuming anyone who encountered this problem may also have an iPhone, or another Apple device, I thought you might find this post useful. Simply try your unlock code as the firmware password, and you have a good chance to recover.

Hope this will help someone :-)

Posted on Nov 1, 2022 11:17 AM

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Answer 1

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PennyForMyThoughts Author

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4 points

Nov 2, 2022 12:59 AM in response to HWTech

Thanks for the clarification. This option was mentioned in my post, however, it is far from being the ideal option, especially when most people simply don't understand why at all they got locked, and that the simple solution is to simply use their unlock code as the firmware password.

It should be very clear that Apple will not assist anyone, unless they can prove their ownership, which is practically impossible for old hardware, secondhand purchases and such. Moreover, there will be a charge of about $200, let alone the hustle of travels and wait time. All together, this options does not suit everyone, not to say, hardly suits anyone.

While this is a good security feature and the whole thing makes sense, to my opinion, Apple fails to correctly explain this feature to their clients, especially the part about the "Find My" service effects. My guess is there are a lot who gave up on their precious hardware, simply because nobody bothered to simply explain that potentially, the unlock code is the firmware password. It nearly happened to me, and for that reason I sat and wrote this post. With time, the amount of replies will teach us if it served a good cause.

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Answer 2

Nov 1, 2022 5:12 PM in response to PennyForMyThoughts

Thanks for sharing this information.

If you had not been able to remove the lock, then you can take the laptop to Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for assistance. You will need to provide valid proof of purchase and an acceptable form of ID so that Apple or the AASP can remove the lock for you. It is best to call ahead to find out exactly what they will accept as valid proof of purchase and personal ID.

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Firmware Password suddenly required for startup commands - Sometimes without setting a Firmware password - Cannot access Recovery Mode or Boot Disk Selection

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