Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Upgrade macOS Big Sure if there is firmware password
- Thread starter Adenitz
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
A firmware password should not prevent you from using the Software Update pane to install a Big Sur update
But, even so, just enter the firmware password, if asked, and you will be fine.
The usual purpose for the firmware password is to prevent booting to another bootable drive (if you don't know that password.) If you don't have to boot from another drive (and just use the Software update pane), then you should not need to enter a firmware password.
If you don't own your Mac, then whoever supports your Mac might block software updates through a user profile.
And, you should try contacting whoever supports your Mac. Maybe you can get permission to do what you want....
But, even so, just enter the firmware password, if asked, and you will be fine.
The usual purpose for the firmware password is to prevent booting to another bootable drive (if you don't know that password.) If you don't have to boot from another drive (and just use the Software update pane), then you should not need to enter a firmware password.
If you don't own your Mac, then whoever supports your Mac might block software updates through a user profile.
And, you should try contacting whoever supports your Mac. Maybe you can get permission to do what you want....
I recommend either removing the password or finding the password because it's needed if something goes wrong during the upgrade process and you need to re-install the OS from an external drive.
Last edited:
I think the other question would be: Do you actually have firmware protection turned on?
Then -- Do you know what that password is?
If yes, you can then turn off the firmware protection.
If no, and you have a valid reason for bypassing that protection, then you would need to talk to whoever owns or controls your Mac.
Then -- Do you know what that password is?
If yes, you can then turn off the firmware protection.
If no, and you have a valid reason for bypassing that protection, then you would need to talk to whoever owns or controls your Mac.
1. Yes, the firmware protection is turned on.
2. No, I don‘t have a password, because the laptop is not mine. However the original owner doen’t know it also, but his repair shop knows. They put it to prevent boot from any other device, after reinstalling the OS. They would provide it after 3 months repair warranty is elapsed.
I had notification that new version of Big Sur is ready, so I wanted to download it.
It was download about 3.5 GB in size and it all went well.
So, for upgrade to newer version of the OS, the firmware password is not important.
hmm.... So, the repair shop turned on firmware password to prevent booting to another drive? and not the owner?
And, that's part of the shop's warranty plan?
And, then what? Do you get ownership after the 3-month warranty period?
What do you do now, if something goes wrong, and the system needs to be reinstalled?
I suppose your only "choice" then, is to return the laptop to the repair shop for a simple reinstall.
And, that's part of the shop's warranty plan?
And, then what? Do you get ownership after the 3-month warranty period?
What do you do now, if something goes wrong, and the system needs to be reinstalled?
I suppose your only "choice" then, is to return the laptop to the repair shop for a simple reinstall.
yes, they do this to all customers with comeback jobs that require OS to be reinstalled and without HW defects on the board. And that is OK, I would do the same. Anybody can screw up system once. After that you'll get your password wich is usually customer name + ticket number.
I have bought a refurbished DELL computer in Best Buy in Oregon, only years later I found out there is a BIOS password. I had to call DELL service center for support.
I was afraid to let downloaded updates to be installed fearing this could harm the system, but all went OK. It was the easiest way to get rid the software update notification. The laptop worked better on Catalina comparing with BigSur, but we need to stay up to date
I have bought a refurbished DELL computer in Best Buy in Oregon, only years later I found out there is a BIOS password. I had to call DELL service center for support.
I was afraid to let downloaded updates to be installed fearing this could harm the system, but all went OK. It was the easiest way to get rid the software update notification. The laptop worked better on Catalina comparing with BigSur, but we need to stay up to date
You should run far away from this service company and never give them your business.
I don't have
I don't have any business. Probably for business customers is different story. For guys in the neighborhood that tends to return with "reinstallation needed" problems is a different story.