Have you ever encountered a situation where your Mac asked for a firmware password? Do you know what a firmware password means on a Mac? Don't worry; this article will provide you with all the relevant information about firmware passwords on a Mac.
The firmware password on a Mac is also called an EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) lock. It's a security tool that protects your personal data on a Mac. Without the correct firmware password, other people can't access your Mac with an external drive.
A firmware password is different from an administrator password. You use an administrator password to log in or out of your Mac. A firmware password, on the other hand, is a separate password that prevents others from trying to turn on your Mac using an external storage device. Your Mac requires the firmware password only when someone tries to start it up from an external drive or macOS Recovery.
In our previous article, we discussed what firmware is. You can learn more by following the link below:
What is Firmware? - Tutorial & Examples
In this article, we will introduce you to the definition of firmware and list the main types of firmware. We'll also explain the difference between firmware and software.
Now that you know what a firmware password is on a Mac and why it's important to set one up, it's time to follow our guide on how to set a firmware password on your Mac. In this section, you'll find a comprehensive guide on how to enable and disable a firmware password on your Mac. Read on and follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Here's a guide on how to enable the Mac Firmware Password. You can easily follow the instructions to activate your Mac's firmware password.
1. Turn on your Mac. Press and hold the Command(⌘) and R keys as soon as you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe to enter macOS Recovery Mode.
Step 2: Once you're in macOS Recovery, a Utilities window will appear. Choose "Startup Security Utility" or "Firmware Password Utility."
Step 3: Click “Open Firmware Password.”
Step 4: A window will appear asking for your firmware password. Set your password and make sure to remember it, then click “Set Password.”
That's it! This is the complete guide on how to enable a firmware password on your Mac. Your Mac is now protected by a firmware password you set, and anyone will need to enter it whenever they try to boot your Mac from an external storage device or into macOS Recovery.
Do you need to turn off the firmware password on your Mac? This article will guide you through the process.
Step 1: Turn on your Mac. Hold down the Command (⌘) and R keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe to enter macOS Recovery Mode.
Step 2. Your Mac now prompts you for the firmware password. Enter it.
Step 3: Once you're in macOS Recovery, a Utilities window will appear. Choose "Startup Security Utility" or "Firmware Password Utility."
Step 4. Click “Turn Off Firmware Password.”
Step 5: Enter your firmware password again when prompted. This will turn off the firmware password on your Mac.
Unlike a computer, we humans can't remember everything that happens in our lives. You might have written your firmware password down on your phone. But if you delete it and can't recall it, there's a way to get help directly from Apple.
If you forget your Mac firmware password, you can make an appointment for in-person support at an Apple Store or with an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Bring your Mac and the original receipt with you as proof of ownership. Some thieves will try to wipe and resell a stolen Mac, and Apple requires the original receipt to prevent this.
In this article, we've provided you with all the information you need to know about the Mac firmware password. We've also included a comprehensive guide on how to set up a firmware password on your Mac. Hopefully, we've answered all your questions about the Mac firmware password.
Thank you for reading!
Here we've gathered some popular topics about Mac firmware passwords. Browse the subjects below to see if there's more information you need.
If the Mac's owner has set a firmware password, you won't be able to bypass it. The owner of the Mac can disable the firmware password by following the steps above. Skip to the next part to proceed with those instructions.
As mentioned above, a firmware password can protect your privacy. You set a firmware password to prevent others from using an external storage device or booting your Mac from macOS Recovery. Thus, your Mac will ask for the firmware password to protect your privacy.
The firmware password is stored in non-volatile memory on the Mac's motherboard.