MacBook Air 2020 access, without the login password.

If your Mac is asking for a password that you didn’t change, there are a few things you can try before resorting to wiping the drive. Since you have multiple Apple devices and Touch ID, it’s possible that there’s a miscommunication between the devices or a system issue causing the problem.

Here are some things you can try:

• macOS allows you to reset your login password using your Apple Account. On the login screen, click the question mark or "reset it using your Apple Account" option. You can then follow the prompts to enter your Apple Account credentials and reset the password.
• If the Apple Account reset isn’t working, try restarting the Mac and holding Command + R to boot into macOS Recovery mode. From there, you can use the Terminal to reset the password by typing resetpassword (one word) in the Terminal window and following the instructions. On Apple Silicon Macs, instead of using the traditional Command + R to enter Recovery Mode, you would need to turn off your Mac and then press and hold the power button until you see the "Loading options" screen. Once this appears, select Options to enter macOS Recovery. From there, you can access the Terminal and use the resetpassword command as usual to reset the password.
• If you have FileVault enabled, you can unlock the disk using the recovery key or your Apple Account. This may also prompt you to reset the password.

If these options don't work, the password might be tied to a deeper system or firmware issue, especially if there was a recent macOS update or change. While it might seem tempting to skip a reset, bypassing the password without wiping the drive is difficult because Apple uses encryption and security protocols to protect your data, preventing unauthorized access. The aim is to keep your data safe, even in the event of a lost password.

In the worst-case scenario, reinstalling macOS without wiping the drive might allow you to keep your files intact while resolving the password issue.

"MacBook Air 2020 access, without the login password.: MacBook Air 2020 decided I changed the login password. I didn’t. I have 4 Apple devices and TouchID. Is there a way to get past that password without wiping drive? If not, why not??"

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Troubleshooting a Locked Mac Account:

Hold it Right There!:

Enter the passcode incorrectly too many times, and you'd likely be locked out for good. So, hold it right there, and wait out the time allotted. The password would be the one you've always entered. If you do not know it, then look for it in a location you may have stored it in.

When Allowed to Proceed...

Reset this Using the Login Screen:

You'd go through your Apple ID to perform this. Find out more here: If you Forgot your Mac Login Password - Apple Support. Make sure that caps lock is not enabled when typing it. No Success? Go here: If you can't Reset your Mac Login Password - Apple Support

To start I need to know if you have an Intel-based or Silicon M1-based 2020 MacBook Air. Please verify and let us know which one you have.