Can't set a firmware password on M1 macs?

[glitch44]

I usually set a firmware password on my (intel) macs so that if it ever gets stolen someone can't external boot/reformat the drive.

But it appears Apple silicon macs don't have that ability?

(not my photo/ found on internet)

Does anyone know of an equivalent security feature for m1 macs?
Seems like something that would need to be baked into the T2 chip, which means it would be impossible to add it later with an OS update, right?

 

[chrfr]

I usually set a firmware password on my (intel) macs so that if it ever gets stolen someone can't external boot/reformat the drive.

But it appears Apple silicon macs don't have that ability?

View attachment 1675708

(not my photo/ found on internet)

Does anyone know of an equivalent security feature for m1 macs?
Seems like something that would need to be baked into the T2 chip, which means it would be impossible to add it later with an OS update, right?

First, there's no T2 chip anymore in the M1 Macs- that functionality is built into the processor. As these devices are more like iOS devices in architecture, there's no standalone firmware password, but if you look in System Report the computer should show if Activation Lock is enabled.