MacBook asking for previous owners password despite two factory resets

Question

MacBook asking for previous owners password despite two factory resets

Hi,

I purchased a MacBook via eBay. The previous owner performed a factory reset prior to sending. I set up the MacBook and upon logging in I was asked to enter a password to unlock the disk “Macintosh HD - data”. The previous owner kindly gave me the password.

I performed another factory reset and I have set up the Mac. I logged in and the same thing has happened. It is asking for the previous owners password. How do I fix this?

MacBook Retina 12 running on Big Sur.

Thank you.

MacBook

Posted on Jan 13, 2023 10:55 AM

Reply

Answer 1

jmarse1

Community Specialist

Jan 15, 2023 7:03 PM in response to claraxcastaneda

Hi claraxcastaneda,

We'll be glad to go over this with you further. Based on the message, it looks like FileVault may be enabled on the drive. To disable this, follow the steps in Turn off FileVault encryption on Mac - Apple Support

"When you turn off FileVault, encryption is turned off and the contents of your Mac are decrypted. The decrypting could take a while, depending on how much information you have stored. However, you can still use your Mac to do other tasks while the information is being decrypted.

Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Click Turn Off.
Click Turn Off Encryption.

"

We hope that clears things up for you.

Cheers.

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Answer 2

Jan 16, 2023 3:31 AM in response to jmarse1

Hi, thank you for the suggestion. I followed the steps and successfully turned off encryption. I restarted the MacBook but I’m still being asked to enter password to unlock the disk “Macintosh HD - Data” any other ideas?

thank you for your response.

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Answer 3

Lanny

Level 6

13,207 points

Jan 16, 2023 6:33 AM in response to claraxcastaneda

Note: Turning off FileVault can take up to 24 hours to complete, and the Mac has to be on AC power.

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Answer 4

Jan 16, 2023 6:40 AM in response to Lanny

Hi, thank you Lanny and jmarse1. I have solved the problem by erasing the previous owner’s HD data volumes.

thank you for both of your help and suggestions, I appreciate it!

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MacBook asking for previous owners password despite two factory resets

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