Boot up your Mac, and you should not see the firmware lock again.ĭisable the Password With Firmware Password Utility.

Remove the battery again, and reinsert the RAM module.

Release the keys and shut down the computer.

Wait for the chime to sound three times.

Put the battery in, and boot your computer while holding the Command + Option + P + R keys to reset the parameter RAM.

Locate your RAM, remove one of the RAM modules and put it aside.

Shut down your computer and remove the battery.

You can check our guide on how to upgrade the RAM on Macs for further reading. This hardware hack works on both Intel- and Motorola-based MacBooks and requires users to remove the RAM and reinstall it. Bypassing the Mac Firmware Password on MacBooks With Upgradeable RAM Since the controller is an independent component, the only way to bypass it is to manually remove it from the motherboard, but this requires highly precise reflow soldering tools and techniques. This component contains lockable flash memory to store the password and requires special programming with identifier numbers for both the Mac's motherboard and the Atmel chip to access and reset it. In 2011, however, Apple added an important change to the system: the firmware password was moved to a separate programmable controller from Atmel. That lead to a serious security issue, allowing the firmware to be revealed in a native macOS app and weakening the enhanced security Apple had hoped to introduce with the addition of the firmware password. On Intel-based Macs shipped before 2011, the firmware password was stored in the PRAM and read by the system EFI firmware before other PRAM variables. They recommend checking the firmware version and updating if needed. But as security firm Duo Labs discovered in late 2017, some Macs aren't getting the right firmware, which makes them vulnerable to hackers. The process requires the original receipt or invoice as proof of purchase.Įarlier versions of macOS required manual installation of the firmware but, starting in 2015, Apple began bundling EFI updates with the macOS updates in order to deliver security patches to all users. If you or any of your users can't remember the firmware password or passcode, know that Apple doesn’t allow for any workarounds, but instead recommends scheduling a service appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. Low-level passwords are quite secure, which also means there is potentially a headache if the password is forgotten.

It's a separate password that appears immediately after boot and must be entered into the system lock screen, which appears as a lock symbol on either a black or a gray background.

A firmware password is not the same as the administrator password or login password.

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