MacBook Pro desktop (?) 2013 stuck on lock symbol screen.

This is everything I’ve tried, including apple support. I have Big Sur operating system ( computer is a 2013)

On an Intel-based Mac

If you're not using a Mac with Apple silicon, you're using an Intel-based Mac.

Guidelines for using these key combinations

  • Press and hold all keys in the combination together, not one at a time. 
  • If you can't get a key combination to work when restarting your Mac, shut down your Mac first. If you can't shut down, press and hold the power button for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off. Then press and hold the key combination after pressing the power button to turn on your Mac.
  • You might need to wait a few seconds before pressing the keys, to give your Mac more time to recognize the keyboard as it starts up. Some keyboards have a light that flashes briefly at startup, indicating that the keyboard is recognized and ready for use.
  • If you're using a wireless keyboard, plug it into your Mac, if possible. Or use your built-in keyboard or a wired keyboard. If you're using a keyboard made for a PC, such as a keyboard with a Windows logo, try a keyboard made for Mac.
  • Some key combinations don't work when your Mac is using a firmware password. Turn off the firmware password first.
  • If you're using Boot Camp to start up from Microsoft Windows, set Startup Disk preferences to start up from macOS instead. Then shut down or restart and try again.

Key combinations for an Intel-based Mac

Command (⌘)-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery system. Or use Option-Command-R or Shift-Option-Command-R to start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. macOS Recovery installs different versions of macOS, depending on the key combination you use. 

Option (⌥) or Alt: Start up to Startup Manager, which allows you to choose other available startup disks or volumes. 

Option-Command-P-RReset NVRAM or PRAM.

Shift (⇧): Start up in safe mode

D: Start up to the Apple Diagnostics utility. Or use Option-D to start up to this utility over the internet.

N: Start up from a NetBoot server, if your Mac supports network startup volumes. To use the default boot image on the server, press and hold Option-N instead. 

Command-S: Start up in single-user mode. Disabled in macOS Mojave or later.

T: Start up in target disk mode.

Command-V: Start up in verbose mode.

Any other meaningful suggestions would be helpful. Thank you for your help and feedback.

Melanie’s MacBook Air

Posted on Jul 26, 2023 8:41 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jul 26, 2023 8:49 PM

Hello sms58,

If you see a screen like this:



your Mac has a firmware password set. Even if there is a firmware password, you should be able to start normally into macOS, but can't boot into other disks or the recoveryOS.

Try starting your Mac without pressing any keys. If you still see this screen, your keys might be stuck.

To disable the firmware password, see here: Set a firmware password on your Mac

If you forgot your firmware password, you will need to schedule an appointment with Apple. You will need your receipt or invoice as proof of purchase.

If it's something else, let me know and I will try to help.

See also: If your Mac doesn't start up all the way

Hope that helps!


Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 26, 2023 8:49 PM in response to sms58

Hello sms58,

If you see a screen like this:



your Mac has a firmware password set. Even if there is a firmware password, you should be able to start normally into macOS, but can't boot into other disks or the recoveryOS.

Try starting your Mac without pressing any keys. If you still see this screen, your keys might be stuck.

To disable the firmware password, see here: Set a firmware password on your Mac

If you forgot your firmware password, you will need to schedule an appointment with Apple. You will need your receipt or invoice as proof of purchase.

If it's something else, let me know and I will try to help.

See also: If your Mac doesn't start up all the way

Hope that helps!


MacBook Pro desktop (?) 2013 stuck on lock symbol screen.

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