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how to reset password on a 2015 Macbook Pro without password bought from Facebook Marketplace

Im a 68 yr old retiree living in Charlotte NC. I bought a 2015 Macbook Pro from a Doctor last December. I'm a rookie & have no technical background. He told me he'd erased his info and reset it to factory settings, BUT HE DID NOT. When I called him, he wouldn't respond. My initial instincts are to go to his office to convince him to reset it again but I'm disabled & too old to get in a situation in a public setting.

I don't care about his information, I just want it to reset it to factory settings. Am I out of luck or is there a way to reset it to factory settings?

Thanks in advance

Rick Crocker

my software is macOS Big Sur 11.7.2

Posted on Mar 21, 2023 4:10 AM

Reply
3 replies

Mar 22, 2023 5:06 AM in response to rickcrocker

Any of the previous solutions should work 👍


Just to Add another alternative


Scorched Earth Method 


This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No DATA Recovery - Period.


To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 


This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer.


Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.


Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.


Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.


Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.


 About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 


1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above. 


6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

how to reset password on a 2015 Macbook Pro without password bought from Facebook Marketplace

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