Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!
📢 Newsroom Update
Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max. Learn more >
Apple introduces M4 Pro and M4 Max. Learn more >
I walked away from my MacBook for about 15 minutes. When I came back, the unlock screen asks for a pin. I never set up a pin, and I’ve never used a pin no matter how many times I enter an incorrect pin. I am not given the option of resetting it, I have restarted the machine three times, but the pin request still remains. Any ideas of how to fix this? I am locked out of my machine.
Are you encountering a password field with the letters PIN in it on your usual login screen?
Have you ever used a CAC (Common Access Card) or Yubikey device on that Mac? If you don't know what those terms mean, then you probably have not, but someone else may have used one. Please write back for instructions.
Otherwise, please refer to PIN code to unlock Mac - Apple Community
Are you encountering a password field with the letters PIN in it on your usual login screen?
Have you ever used a CAC (Common Access Card) or Yubikey device on that Mac? If you don't know what those terms mean, then you probably have not, but someone else may have used one. Please write back for instructions.
Otherwise, please refer to PIN code to unlock Mac - Apple Community
There is, and the way to fix it is to uninstall that CAC software from the Mac using the procedure applicable to the particular device you use.
The definitive source for assistance is https://militarycac.com/macuninstall.htm
Reference this Discussion: CAC Reader no longer works after Upgrade … - Apple Community
Yes, I had a CAC connected at the time this occurred. The PIN on that CAC is now locked. It sounds like there is a connection between these things. Thanks for your help.
MacBook asking for PIN instead of Password
