What is firmware password on Mac?
What is firmware password on Mac?
A firmware password prevents users who don’t have the password from starting up from any internal or external storage device other than the startup disk you’ve selected. It also blocks the ability to use most startup key combinations. To learn more, see the Apple Support article Set a firmware password on your Mac.
How do I reset my firmware password on my Mac?
1: Try to Reset or Disable with Firmware Password Utility
- Reboot the Mac and hold down Command+R to enter recovery mode.
- At the Utilities screen, go to the Utilities menu bar item and choose “Firmware Password Utility”
- Select to turn the Firmware Password to OFF.
How do I reset my Mac firmware password?
When the utilities window appears, click Utilities in the menu bar, then choose Startup Security Utility or Firmware Password Utility. Click Turn Off Firmware Password. Enter the firmware password again when prompted. Quit the utility, then choose Apple menu > Restart.
How do I check the firmware on my Mac?
How to check your firmware version
- Open System Information. Apple Menu > About this Mac > Overview > System report.
- Select the Hardware section to view the Model Identifier, Boot ROM version, and SMC version numbers.
Should I turn on firmware password Mac?
A firmware password prevents users who don’t have the password from starting up from any internal or external storage device other than the startup disk you’ve selected. It also blocks the ability to use most startup key combinations.
How does FileVault work on a Mac?
Any new files that you create are automatically encrypted as they are saved to your startup disk. When FileVault setup is complete and you restart your Mac, you will use your account password to unlock your disk and allow your Mac to finish starting up.
What happens if I Lose my FileVault recovery key or password?
If you lose both your account password and your FileVault recovery key, you won’t be able to log in to your Mac or access the data on your startup disk. Encryption occurs in the background as you use your Mac, and only while your Mac is awake and plugged in to AC power.
What happens when you enter a firmware password on a Mac?
When you enter that passcode, the Mac starts up from your designated startup disk and disables the passcode. Lost Mode works even while using a firmware password. Unlike the passcode set by Lost Mode, a firmware password remains on until you turn it off with Firmware Password Utility or Startup Security Utility.
What type of encryption does FileVault use?
FileVault full-disk encryption (FileVault 2) uses XTS-AES-128 encryption with a 256-bit key to help prevent unauthorized access to the information on your startup disk. FileVault 2 is available in OS X Lion or later.
