Keyboard backlight on boot up, File Vault and T2

[cobracnvt]

I just got a 2018 MacBook Pro with the new T2 chip. I'm passing information this along as a general FYI...

When booting up my new MBP, the keyboard backlight and the Touch bar wouldn't turn on for the login screen. No Touch Bar, so I can't adjust the keyboard backlight. I find this annoying as I'm still getting used to the new keyboard and now have to turn up the room lights so I could see the keyboard while entering my password.

Apple Support confirmed this behavior is because of having FileVault enabled and how the T2 chip behaves.

Apple's expected behavior is that when FileVault is enabled, the laptop's boot up behavior is changed. When the MBP is initially turned on, the Touch Bar and the keyboard backlight will stay off until your password is entered.

Once my account password is entered, it then will continue booting, the keyboard backlight and Touch Bar will then turn on.

I tested this by turning File Vault off, and the keyboard backlight turns on for the login screen during the initial boot up. I still can't use the fingerprint sensor for the initial login though. Like the iPhone, you have to enter your password for the initial login.

 

[chrfr]

I just got a 2018 MacBook Pro with the new T2 chip. I'm passing information this along as a general FYI...

When booting up my new MBP, the keyboard backlight and the Touch bar wouldn't turn on for the login screen. No Touch Bar, so I can't adjust the keyboard backlight. I find this annoying as I'm still getting used to the new keyboard and now have to turn up the room lights so I could see the keyboard while entering my password.

Apple Support confirmed this behavior is because of having FileVault enabled and how the T2 chip behaves.

This isn't new to the T2 based computers. My 2013 MBP doesn't light up the keyboard at the Filevault screen either.

 

[cobracnvt]

This isn't new to the T2 based computers. My 2013 MBP doesn't light up the keyboard at the Filevault screen either.

Good to know. The Apple support tech I spoke to blamed the T2 chip for this behavior.

 

[chrfr]

Good to know. The Apple support tech I spoke to blamed the T2 chip for this behavior.

It's because macOS isn't running at the Filevault screen, so there are no drivers to enable the backlight. It's got nothing to do with the T2.

 

[filmbuff]

You've never been able to see that backlight before login. A slight annoyance. But who shuts down their Macbook anyway? Just sleep it.

 

[cobracnvt]

You've never been able to see that backlight before login. A slight annoyance. But who shuts down their Macbook anyway? Just sleep it.

I think this is why I never noticed it before with my old MacBook Pro...

 

[GabeDude]

It's very annoying that even now going on 2020 the keyboard is still dark when booting up and logging in. I know we used to live without all these luxuries but I did pay 1500 for my MacBook Air

 

[Ital]

If you like it to light up you can always turn of firevault ...
Yet i would not recommend it.

 

[thecocoa]

Not to revive a zombied thread, but I just wasted 45 minutes with an Apple rep - he setup an appointment at an Apple store for me. Then, I came across this thread and see it is 'working as designed'. Sigh. Turn off FileVault, keyboard behaves as expected. Turn FileVault on - and as @chrfr said, there must not be drivers loaded to enable the backlight. Oh well. Thanks to all for the information. I'll leave FileVault enabled and deal with it.

 

[kaz219]

Unfortunately it's still the same on an M1 MacBook Pro 2021, with macOS Ventura...