How do I get rid of a Mac I no longer have?

SpinMess wrote:

Thank you again, leroydouglas for trying ... but both those lists give the same 3 devices (my current work MacBook Pro, and personal Windows desktop & laptop), and neither includes the device with the requested password (a former employer's MacBook Pro). :-(

FWIW, the current OS version is Ventura 13.2.1, and the issue started right after a recent OS update & reboot. (Software > Installations says the update was to macOS 13.2.1 on Feb 21, 2023.)

IIRC, the former MacBook was running Mojave...

Call Customer Support  (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)

or on line  https://getsupport.apple.com/

SpinMess wrote:

• Recently, whenever I log into my work Mac, I get a notification that I need to "Update Apple ID Settings".

First it tells me to enter my Apple ID. I do that.

Then it asks me to enter my Apple ID password. I do that.

Then it asks me to enter the password for the computer I'm on. I do that.

Then it asks me to enter the password for a computer I haven't touched in three years. I don't know it. A previous employer has physical control of it, the password has been reset, and I have changed my password multiple times.

Things I've tried:

Pressing the "Don't know Password" button. This tells me to either log in later or to "Choose a Mac and enter its password". The only option listed is the one machine I don't have. Pressing "Don't know any passwords?" tells me I can either "Cancel" and leave the notification in place, or "ENTER_LATER" takes me back to asking for the password for the device I don't have. Selecting the device I don't have from the list of devices of course asks me for the password I don't have.

• Resetting my Apple ID password. This takes some time, and does not clear the error.

• Going to Apple Music > Account > Account Settings > Manage Devices. The device I'm being asked to sign into is not listed, so I can't disable it.

• "Reset your encrypted data" > Enter verification code. This brings me back to "Enter the password you use to unlock" the machine I don't have. If I press cancel, it asks me to sign in with my Apple ID again, enter another 2FA passcode, enter the password for the current machine, and then once again to unlock the machine I don't have.

• Entering the password for the current machine. This yields "Enter Password for Other MacBook Pro ... which is not the password for this MacBook Pro".

The Mac I'm supposed to sign into isn't listed in "My devices" on this page either.

I've seen some advice saying I should physically log into the other device. That's obviously not an option.

How do I exit this loop? How do I tell Apple I don't want a former device, don't have the password for it, and don't have physical access to the machine? How do I disassociate that machine from my account when Apple isn't even consistent about the association?

Click open the device in your AppleID ... "Remove From Account"

>System Settings>AppleID

ref:

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac

SpinMess wrote:

Unfortunately, the device whose password I'm asked to enter doesn't appear in that list.

One account for everything Apple - verify what devices are associated with your ID.

https://appleid.apple.com/

Check your Apple ID device list to see where you're signed in

Check your Apple ID device list to find where you're signed in - Apple Support