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Ability to type login password without keyboard

Populus

Populus

macrumors 603
Original poster
Aug 24, 2012
6,064
8,522
Spain, Europe
Hello, dear forum

Although I’m currently stuck on Monterey, hopefully I’ll soon upgrade to an M4 Mac that will most likely come with macOS 15.1 Sequoia. So I wanted to ask something about the initial login.

I’m using a Logitech keyboard currently, the new Keys to Go 2, and it doesn’t work for the initial login on Monterey (I have FileVault enabled). I still have to grab my Steve Jobs era Magic Keyboard (the one with two AA batteries) to enter the password for the initial login. For some reason, the Logitech doesn’t pair with my Mac until the system has been initiated after putting the initial login password and it gets decrypted.

Because the Bluetooth keyboards sometimes give pairing problems with the Mac for the initial login, even the Magic Keyboard one, I was wondering if during Ventura, Sonoma or Sequoia, Apple has enabled any Accessibility feature to input the initial login password using the virtual on-screen keyboard, via mouse/trackpad, which usually pair quickly and reliably every time.

That would great a great addition that wouldn‘t restrict me to the official Apple Keyboard.

Thank you.
 
I don't know if this is a fix, but you could try Systemsettings/Lockedscreen/Accessabilityoptions and turn on Accessability keyboard. Should give you a mouse-clickable screen keyboard. Worth a try.
 
Ben J. said:
I don't know if this is a fix, but you could try Systemsettings/Lockedscreen/Accessabilityoptions and turn on Accessability keyboard. Should give you a mouse-clickable screen keyboard. Worth a try.
Click to expand...
I usually enable it, yeah, but once inside the system.

Is it possible to enable it before you’ve logged into the system after the boot?

Edit: no Lock Screen accessibility features on Monterey’s system preferences. I’ll try it on Sequoia’s system settings once I get the new M4 Mac.
 
I don't know of a way to enable a 3rd party keyboard at login with FileVault.

However - with Apple Silicon, you can use the Apple keyboard with Touch ID. IMO that is WELL worth having. I switched from Logitech to Apple myself with my M1 mini, and haven't looked back.
 
FreakinEurekan said:
I don't know of a way to enable a 3rd party keyboard at login with FileVault.

However - with Apple Silicon, you can use the Apple keyboard with Touch ID. IMO that is WELL worth having. I switched from Logitech to Apple myself with my M1 mini, and haven't looked back.
Click to expand...
Except, once in a while, I wonder if it's not everytime after the mac having been shut down, you do need to type the password, even if you have a TouchID keyboard enabled. I don't think there's a way to disable this. It's a part of the security.

I got a magic keyboard w/touchID myself not so long ago, and it's very nice. Neat and slick, and touch ID saves a lot of time.
 
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iStorm said:
This issue was supposedly fixed in Monterrey 12.3 for Apple Silicon. The other solution is to use the USB receiver for the keyboard instead (if it has one).

Bluetooth mouse or keyboard not recognized after reboot on macOS (Intel-based Mac) - FileVault

If your Bluetooth mouse or keyboard does not reconnect after a reboot at the login screen and only reconnects after the login, this might be related to FileVault encryption. When FileVault is enabl...
support.logi.com support.logi.com
Click to expand...
Of course. Nice one, iStorm.
 
Ben J. said:
Except, once in a while, I wonder if it's not everytime after the mac having been shut down, you do need to type the password, even if you have a TouchID keyboard enabled. I don't think there's a way to disable this. It's a part of the security.

I got a magic keyboard w/touchID myself not so long ago, and it's very nice. Neat and slick, and touch ID saves a lot of time.
Click to expand...
Yes, of course “sometimes” the password is required. After shutdown; after a certain number of days; when performing certain admin functions, etc.

Having Touch ID is no excuse to forget the password 😉
 
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FreakinEurekan said:
Yes, of course “sometimes” the password is required. After shutdown; after a certain number of or days; when performing certain admin functions, etc.

Having Touch ID is no excuse to forget the password 😉
Click to expand...
The OP was not about "forgetting" your password, it was about not having a working keyboard at all, at startup/login. But iStorm nailed it.
 
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