Neo recovery passcode input limited to 24 of 28 digits
I am trying to change the password but I can only input 24 of the 28 digits of my recovery passcode in order to unlock my Neo
iPad, iPadOS 26
Question marked as
A FileVault Recovery Key is 24 characters, while an Apple Account Recovery Key is 28 characters.
Your footer also shows an iPad, but your title indicates a MacBook Neo.
Given you're not posting this in the Apple Account community, I'll assume the forgotten password is the macOS login password, and not a forgotten Apple Account password.
Here are the options for resetting the macOS login password:
- If you forgot your Mac login password - Apple Support
- If you can't reset your Mac login password - Apple Support
It's possible your Apple Account and login can be used to reset your macOS login. But depending on what you've forgotten and what you still recall, you may need to erase the Mac storage and re-install macOS.
If you forgot your Apple Account password, and have set up a Recovery Key, then that does need the 28 character Apple Account Recovery Key. The Recovery Key blocks other means of performing an Apple Account password reset, too. That's the whole purpose and fundamental reason for a Recovery Key: it blocks other means of performing a reset.
The first of the following Apple Account password reset links is the general sequence, while the second describes using the Apple Account Recovery Key, and the third is included but is probably not available as that'll get blocked by the use of a Recovery Key.
- If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support
- Set up a recovery key for your Apple Account - Apple Support
- How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support
As for the FileVault Recovery Key (24), that’s displayed and is kept in Passwords, and you will want to copy it elsewhere when enabling the Recovery Key, and will want to preserve it.