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Firmware password screen on startup

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brainwave89

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 7, 2006
475
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I have 2017 MacBook Pro running Monterey. Upon startup the firmware password screen appears. I currently don't have the firmware password but I do have the password for my user account. How can I make the laptop boot normally to my user account login screen?

Thank you for looking.
 
brainwave89 said:
I have 2017 MacBook Pro running Monterey. Upon startup the firmware password screen appears. I currently don't have the firmware password but I do have the password for my user account. How can I make the laptop boot normally to my user account login screen?

Thank you for looking.
Click to expand...

Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support

When you set a firmware password, users who don't have the password can't start up from macOS Recovery or any disk other than the designated startup disk.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
brainwave89 said:
I have 2017 MacBook Pro running Monterey. Upon startup the firmware password screen appears. I currently don't have the firmware password but I do have the password for my user account. How can I make the laptop boot normally to my user account login screen?

Thank you for looking.
Click to expand...
To remove the password, you'll need the password itself to boot into Recovery.

If you forgot it, you will have to contact Apple since it's a 2017 MBP. If you have proof of purchase (receipt) you can get it removed. However, if you bought it second-hand, it's pretty much "bricked," as you can't get it repaired because you don't have a receipt.

Assuming you're all fine and you remember it:
1. Boot into Recovery (Cmd + R)
2. Choose a language if asked to do so
3. Open Firmware Password Utility and turn off the firmware password
 
Last edited:
Thank you rm5 and jz0309 for your responses.

How can I access the normal sign-on screen? Since I know the passwords for the both users on the laptop, I would enjoy continuing to use the laptop.
 
brainwave89 said:
Thank you rm5 and jz0309 for your responses.

How can I access the normal sign-on screen? Since I know the passwords for the both users on the laptop, I would enjoy continuing to use the laptop.
Click to expand...
You should just be able to boot up to macOS and you will see the login screen, unless obviously, you turned on Automatic Login.

Apple's documentation says:

"When you set a firmware password, users who don't have the password can't start up from any disk other than the designated startup disk" (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455).​

So therefore you should not necessarily be getting a FW password prompt at boot.
 
Last edited:
brainwave89 said:
Thank you rm5 and jz0309 for your responses.

How can I access the normal sign-on screen? Since I know the passwords for the both users on the laptop, I would enjoy continuing to use the laptop.
Click to expand...
@rm5 explained how.

Assuming you're all fine and you remember it:
1. Boot into Recovery (Cmd + R)
2. Choose a language if asked to do so
3. Open Firmware Password Utility and turn off the firmware password

Once you turn off the firmware password, you will get the normal login screen again.
 
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And --- you need to enter the existing firmware password to get to that point (to be able to turn off the firmware password)

Are you sure that it is asking for a firmware password, and not the unlock PW for Filevault -- encrypted storage drive (FileVault) unlock window can easily be confused with a normal user account login
 
Thank you all for your help.

When the computer turns on it is requesting a firmware password. This week at some point it booted normally to the login screen. Now it does not.

Any suggestions on how to get it to boot to the normal login screen is appreciated.
 
You haven’t mentioned if you’re the original owner / have a receipt. Sounds like you’re gonna need it So Apple can fix you up.
 
This thread doesn't quite make sense.
A firmware password would not be needed, unless you have actually turned on (enabled) the firmware password -- and you want to choose a boot drive that is not your default drive.
You would ordinarily need a firmware password if you are trying to choose a different boot drive, or you are trying to boot to the recovery system. You also can't do an NVRAM reset without entering the firmware password, nor can you boot to an external drive.

@brainwave89 - the firmware password will have a padlock next to a password box, and does not show a username, just a blank box for the password (with a padlock).
Are you sure that is what you see?
 
I am the original owner and can prove it. It was purchased via Apple's web site.

At this point if I hold down the Option upon Startup it asks for the firmware password.

I would enjoy getting back to the normal sign on screen.
 
brainwave89 said:
I am the original owner and can prove it. It was purchased via Apple's web site.

At this point if I hold down the Option upon Startup it asks for the firmware password.

I would enjoy getting back to the normal sign on screen.
Click to expand...
Why are you holding down the Option key? That boots the boot manager and that requires the firmware password to be entered.
 
brainwave89 said:
I am the original owner and can prove it. It was purchased via Apple's web site.

At this point if I hold down the Option upon Startup it asks for the firmware password.

I would enjoy getting back to the normal sign on screen.
Click to expand...
The bottom line = you will not be able to

  • Boot into Recovery
  • Hold down Option at boot
  • Boot into any other disk besides the one currently set as the default start-up disk.

...until you remove the FW password.

In order to do this, you have to take the machine into Apple, because you can't do the "RAM removal hack."
 
Last edited:
Setting the firmware password is optional, so you, or some other user of your Mac set that firmware password.
When did you first notice that your Mac started asking for the firmware password when you wanted to change the boot drive by booting with the Option key?

Finally, do you still get the firmware password screen, if you boot without holding the Option key? (Your Mac should boot to the default boot drive?) and, that would give you your "normal sign-on screen".

BTW, if you go to an Apple store to get your firmware password cleared, you will actually need that proof of purchase, such as your sales invoice. Apple is pretty picky about what they accept for proof of ownership
 
If you (the OP) are "the original owner", then WHO PUT the firmware password onto it?
They do not "create themselves".

If you want this fixed, you'll have to take it to a brick-n-mortar Apple Store genius bar.
They WILL require some kind of "proof of ownership".
I'm thinking that if you bought this directly from Apple (or at an Apple Store), that may do it.
Apple may have sent you (via email) a printable "receipt" of purchase. Print that and bring it in.

Questions for all reading:
What DOES Apple require as "proof of purchase" if you bought at an Apple Store or from Apple's online store?
Apple KNOWS that someone named "John Doe" bought a particular Mac on a particular date, at a particular location.
If John Doe walks into the Apple Store, and provides sufficient ID to verify that he IS "John Doe", is that enough (based on Apples sales records)?
If not, what else is required?
 
PBG4 Dude said:
You haven’t mentioned if you’re the original owner / have a receipt. Sounds like you’re gonna need it So Apple can fix you up.
Click to expand...
I am the original owner and have the receipt. I would rather not have to go to a Apple store to lose all the data on the computer.
 
I am not holding down the Option key when I start the laptop. Regardless, the firmware password screen appears upon startup.
 
OP:
"I am the original owner and have the receipt. I would rather not have to go to a Apple store to lose all the data on the computer."

Simple answer:
If you want full control of the MBP back, you have NO ALTERNATIVE but to take it to an Apple Store and have them remove the password. There is no other possible way around this.

It will not delete the data on the drive.
You WILL have to provide WRITTEN PROOF of ownership (copy of the sales receipt).
Without that, THEY WILL NOT DO IT. No exceptions.

Somehow, I sense there's another reason as to why you don't want to take it to an Apple Store...
 
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Fishrrman said:
OP:
"I am the original owner and have the receipt. I would rather not have to go to a Apple store to lose all the data on the computer."

Simple answer:
If you want full control of the MBP back, you have NO ALTERNATIVE but to take it to an Apple Store and have them remove the password. There is no other possible way around this.

It will not delete the data on the drive.
You WILL have to provide WRITTEN PROOF of ownership (copy of the sales receipt).
Without that, THEY WILL NOT DO IT. No exceptions.

Somehow, I sense there's another reason as to why you don't want to take it to an Apple Store...
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply. If that is my fate I have no problem going to an Apple store. I find it puzzling why upon startup its asking for the firmware password when it should go to a normal login screen.
 
DeltaMac said:
Can you post a picture of that firmware password screen? (just curious!)
Click to expand...
IMG_0407.jpeg
 
Just making sure that you don't have a drive unlock screen (for Filevault encrypted drive), but that's certainly a firmware password. Thanks

Firmware password has to be intentionally set (not by accident).
So, you have no idea who might have "helped" you by locking up your MBPro?

Take it to Apple...
They contact their tech support team with a code generated by your MBPro. The support tech then returns a code that allows a boot, and you would then be able to turn off the firmware password protection. (they don't wipe your drive for that)
At least, that is the process when I last had occasion to use that service (about 5 years ago)
Don't forget to take your proof of ownership with you.
 
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