Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple’s new MacBook Pro features the incredibly powerful M4 family of chips and ushers in a new era with Apple Intelligence. Learn more >

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Stuck in target disk mode password screen

2017 macbook w/o touchbar got stuck in target disk mode after I tried to turn the target disk mode on in settings.


I tried to start in safe mode with Command+R and holding power buttons but not working.


Any suggestions please?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.1

Posted on Feb 20, 2023 6:34 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 21, 2023 2:34 PM

That is a firmware lock screen which requires the firmware password to continue. A firmware lock prevents doing anything except booting to the main internal boot drive, unless the firmware password is provided.

Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support


2 replies

Feb 20, 2023 7:32 PM in response to ajinkyam1997

ajinkyam1997 wrote:

2017 macbook w/o touchbar got stuck in target disk mode after I tried to turn the target disk mode on in settings.

I tried to start in safe mode with Command+R and holding power buttons but not working.



https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/09684b67-9e16-464a-9e43-3fa125306ad6
Any suggestions please?



On your built-in keyboard, press and hold all of the following keys.


    • Control  on the left side of your keyboard
    • Option (Alt)  on the left side of your keyboard
    • Shift  on the right side of your keyboard


Keep holding all three keys for 7 seconds, then press and hold the power button as well. If your Mac is on, it will turn off as you hold the keys.





Stuck in target disk mode password screen

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.