MacBook Air - forgot password - no recovery key - erased hard-drive - cannot connect for internet recovery for IOS

For a forgotten password this is what you do: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102633

There is no reason to erase the drive for a forgotten PW.

During initial setup, no recovery key is generated. You create a password and use it to login.

If you tried Command + R to access the Recovery panel, you have to be very quick about pressing the keys after startup. Too slow, and that might be a single second, and you miss the window of opportunity .

If you absolutely cannot use the Recovery panel, and internet recovery is failing, then you're left with this: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support. But this process requires a working Mac to create the bootable flash drive from which you install a fresh OS.

If you have no working Mac, you'll need to borrow one from a friend or family. You may be able to use a library's Mac if they have one, but that's pretty iffy.

Hi Reichers59,

If your Intel-based MacBook Air is unable to start up from Internet Recovery, try these steps:

1. Try using a different Wi-Fi network at a different physical location.
2. Try using a cabled (Ethernet) connection using the appropriate adapter.
3. Try resetting NVRAM (although this might not resolve the issue): Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support (CA)
4. If all else fails, you'll need a second Mac to restore the T2 Security Chip firmware in your 2020 Intel MBA: Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator - Apple Support (CA)

NOTE for steps 1-2: Internet Recovery doesn't work with captive portal networks (ones that make you agree to a network usage notice before granting access).

ku4hx wrote:

For a forgotten password this is what you do: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102633

There is no reason to erase the drive for a forgotten PW.

During initial setup, no recovery key is generated. You create a password and use it to login.

If you tried Command + R to access the Recovery panel, you have to be very quick about pressing the keys after startup. Too slow, and that might be a single second, and you miss the window of opportunity .

If you absolutely cannot use the Recovery panel, and internet recovery is failing, then you're left with this: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support. But this process requires a working Mac to create the bootable flash drive from which you install a fresh OS.

If you have no working Mac, you'll need to borrow one from a friend or family. You may be able to use a library's Mac if they have one, but that's pretty iffy.

Mostly accurate, but a couple of notes:

• Setup Assistant might offer to enable FileVault if you signed into iCloud. On the FileVault setup screen, you can choose not to save the recovery key in iCloud, in which case Setup Assistant will show a recovery key that the user should save.
• T2-equipped Macs disallow booting from external drives by default. This includes bootable macOS installers. This can only be changed in local Recovery (Command-R) in Startup Security Utility, and only with the user's admin password.
• Apple references restoring the T2 firmware as the last resort if macOS, Recovery, and Internet Recovery cannot be booted. All data is erased and a second Mac is required for this procedure.

Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator - Apple Support (CA)

If what you have stated in your profile that your MacBook Air is an M1 MacBook Air, all the previously mentioned procedures for recovery will not work. Catalina will also not work as it is an Intel only MacOS

To enter recovery on an M1 MacBook Air, you ned to make sure it is shut down and then press and hold down the power/TouchID button and continue to hold it down until the recovery options appear. Then select options to take you into recovery where you can chose to do what ever you need to do. The previous keyboard options do not work on an M1 Mac (or newer).

Reichers59 wrote:

Many thanks to the very helpful responders. I have however reached another obstacle. I used my old intel-based iMac (after using Terminal to force a reset password :-) ) to create a bootable MacOS installer Catalina. I thought I was home but no! The MacBook Air 2020 recognises the bootable installer on a portable hard-drive but the setup still cannot get passed the spinning globe (I sense it cannot connect to the internet)

I have a TP Link Archer 1600V router. I have tried to use the USB port as I don't have a ethernet cable. However, I think there is something beyond my current knowledge preventing the internet connection.

thoughts please?

This is what I had suspected. Unfortunately the T2 Security Chip is preventing you from using that USB bootable installer - that's the default setting. There isn't a way to change it until macOS gets reinstalled unfortunately.

You'll likely need an Ethernet cable instead of USB to connect to your router. Most technology stores should have them available for purchase.

If all else fails, and if you have a second Mac running macOS Monterey 12.4 or later, a firmware restore should resolve the issue: Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator - Apple Support (CA)