Mac locked via iCloud

[jjk454ss]

I recovered a Mac Mini that I had stolen from me in September. I had used Find My iPhone to lock it and display my phone number. Now that I have it back I can't figure out how to unlock it. I turn it on and right away it says "your password was entered incorrectly". I restart it and it says "Your Mac has been locked, try again in 60 minutes". Something to that extent anyway.

Find my iPhone just says "locating". I don't see how I'm supposed to unlock it. Anyone know what I need to do?

 

[jjk454ss]

I've tried Internet Recovery and PRAM Reset. I can't even get to those. I only have a BT keyboard, but I think I've used them before for it. When the computer first hoots up it gives me a black screen with the Apple logo and a progress bar that takes much longer than normal.

 

[DeltaMac]

You would have entered a passcode when you locked the Mac after it was stolen.
You can unlock your Mac by entering the passcode on the lock screen. The passcode will be the same one that you used to lock it. It is a one-time use passcode, and doesn't have to be the same one that you might normally use.
Are you absolutely sure that you know what passcode you used for locking the mini? If you forget the passcode, you will need to take your mini to an Apple authorized service provider, along with proof of purchase.
Check this page.

 

[jjk454ss]

You would have entered a passcode when you locked the Mac after it was stolen.
You can unlock your Mac by entering the passcode on the lock screen. The passcode will be the same one that you used to lock it. It is a one-time use passcode, and doesn't have to be the same one that you might normally use.
Are you absolutely sure that you know what passcode you used for locking the mini? If you forget the passcode, you will need to take your mini to an Apple authorized service provider, along with proof of purchase.
Check this page.

Thanks. I was on that page. The issue is it doesn't ask me to enter a pwd, I just get a screen saying it's locked.

 

[DeltaMac]

If you have made several attempts, then it will be some delay before you can even try again.
Maybe the find my mac does not show a password block when the number attempts have forced it to block you.
So you just see your own phone number on the lock screen, but no place to enter your passcode?

Then, you will need to contact AppleCare - or take to an AASP to get it unlocked.

** I did find this - maybe it will get you going, too!

 

[jjk454ss]

Thanks again. I did find that thread also. Right now I just have this. After the time is up, then it just says something about too many attempts. I'll get a pic of that too.

 

[jjk454ss]

When the 60 minutes is up I get this screen, I can't get to any screen that allows me to enter anything.

 

[Erdbeertorte]

Did you try logging into icloud.com on any other Mac or PC with your Apple ID and tried this:

 

[DeltaMac]

Did you try this?:
Boot into internet recovery. (Hold down option + command + R at the chime.)
Use Disk Utility to repair the volume and then reboot your machine normally.
You should be able to unlock it now.

That's assuming that you are certain about the passcode that you used to lock it in the first place.

 

[jjk454ss]

Did you try logging into icloud.com on any other Mac or PC with your Apple ID and tried this:

View attachment 607004

Thanks. Even on iCloud.com I get no options to unlock:

 

[DeltaMac]

Maybe all you need to do is "Remove from Account"

 

[jjk454ss]

Maybe all you need to do is "Remove from Account"

I thought about that. Wasn't sure if I ended up needed to go to Apple if that would be enough proof it's mine though. I don't have a receipt, but I guess I could get one from Best Buy.

Maybe I'll just try that tomorrow.

Thanks again

 

[jjk454ss]

I tried a Remove from Account and get the same message. Looks like I'll need to visit the Genius Bar.

Thanks for all the help. It will be later next week before I go, so if anyone has other ideas keep them coming.

 

[DeltaMac]

I don't like to be "Captain Obvious" - if you are trying the wrong passcode, your mini will continue to lock you out.

Have you EVER seen the passcode entry block? or your mini has NEVER displayed the passcode entry block since you had your mini returned to you?

 

[jjk454ss]

I don't like to be "Captain Obvious" - if you are trying the wrong passcode, your mini will continue to lock you out.

Have you EVER seen the passcode entry block? or your mini has NEVER displayed the passcode entry block since you had your mini returned to you?

The obvious things get overlooked sometimes. But no, since I've got it back it has never displayed a password entry box or asked for a password

 

[DeltaMac]

What is longest you have let it sit without touching it? Give it a rest for at least 24 hours.
Did you try to boot to an external drive, then run Repair Disk in the Disk Utility? That seems to be mentioned a couple of times in the threads that I found.
Or do you get some other error when you try to use the Option boot select screen to boot to another bootable drive? That may be a help if you can try that just to see what happens. Do you simply get another "your computer is locked) screen?

Or - do you get a blank box with a padlock - with no other text?

 

[jjk454ss]

What is longest you have let it sit without touching it? Give it a rest for at least 24 hours.
Did you try to boot to an external drive, then run Repair Disk in the Disk Utility? That seems to be mentioned a couple of times in the threads that I found.
Or do you get some other error when you try to use the Option boot select screen to boot to another bootable drive? That may be a help if you can try that just to see what happens. Do you simply get another "your computer is locked) screen?

Or - do you get a blank box with a padlock - with no other text?

The 2 screenshots in posts 6 and 7 are the only screens I've seen. I have plugged in any external drives, I don't have anything available now, but I can't get to any boot option screens. Holding down Option or Command-R, those don't do anything differently. No error or message at all. Just a real slow boot screen, slow progress bar under Apple logo on black screen. Then the screens above.

 

[DeltaMac]

Do you see any change when you try to boot with Command-Option-R

Another "obvious" question
You are using a wired USB keyboard, correct?

 

[jjk454ss]

Do you see any change when you try to boot with Command-Option-R

Another "obvious" question
You are using a wired USB keyboard, correct?

In post 2 I mentioned I only have a BT keyboard. It sure seems like I've done internet recovery with one before. And nobody must have caught that I said BT. So I do need a wired keyboard to get to that in time? The BT keyboard doesn't connect until it's too late?

I don't have a usb keyboard, I'll try to get one tomorrow.

Thanks

 

[DeltaMac]

I apologize, I did go back through your posts, and absolutely missed your bluetooth keyboard.
The USB keyboard is a way to make sure that the keyboard is not an issue, as it could be causing your mini to mis-boot, possibly by ignoring keys held on a wireless keyboard. It just helps eliminate the keyboard, or the wireless connection (bluetooth) from adding to your issue.
Do you know anyone with a wired USB keyboard? Doesn't even have to be an Apple-brand keyboard.

Finally, because of the fact that your mini remains locked - the keyboard, and the various methods to try to get a boot through alternate hardware may not help, and your next step may be best with AppleCare support - or a "genius" at an Apple Store.

 

[jjk454ss]

I apologize, I did go back through your posts, and absolutely missed your bluetooth keyboard.
The USB keyboard is a way to make sure that the keyboard is not an issue, as it could be causing your mini to mis-boot, possibly by ignoring keys held on a wireless keyboard. It just helps eliminate the keyboard, or the wireless connection (bluetooth) from adding to your issue.
Do you know anyone with a wired USB keyboard? Doesn't even have to be an Apple-brand keyboard.

Finally, because of the fact that your mini remains locked - the keyboard, and the various methods to try to get a boot through alternate hardware may not help, and your next step may be best with AppleCare support - or a "genius" at an Apple Store.

Thanks again. No worries about not seeing that posted, I'm glad you brought it up now. I had thought about it and kind of dismissed it although it makes sense. I'm excited to try it tomorrow.

I do have a Logitech BT keyboard that charges with a USB cable, I wonder if USB can control it? I might check that out.

 

[jjk454ss]

Good news, the USB keyboard got me to a pwd entry screen. Bad news, none of my passwords words work. I'm not sure what I could have used that I haven't tried. And there is no owe reset option. But, it's progress.

 

[jjk454ss]

So when I reboot using the Win/Command-R I get this pwd box. According to what I read "An incorrectly entered firmware password does nothing and offers no indication of login failure". So, I think I know what the password is because I can enter anything I want and nothing happens, but the one password I believe it is does bring my past that lock screen. Only it just gets me to the other screen I get without using the Command-R on the keyboard. It's like it's got the firmware lock but I can get by that, I just still can't get by whatever lock Find my iPhone put on it.

I setup a Genius Bar appt Tuesday, so I guess I'll just bring it in.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[DeltaMac]

You have two password issues now.
One, is the firmware password. You apparently do know what that is, as it lets you past that lock screen to the login screen for the FindMyMac lockout.
The "genius" should be able to help you with that FindMyMac lockout.
Hopefully, you will be able to prove that the mini belongs to you.

 

[jjk454ss]

You have two password issues now.
One, is the firmware password. You apparently do know what that is, as it lets you past that lock screen to the login screen for the FindMyMac lockout.
The "genius" should be able to help you with that FindMyMac lockout.
Hopefully, you will be able to prove that the mini belongs to you.

I found the receipt so I shouldn't have a problem. It's just strange that I don't get a chance to enter any sort of password for find my Mac