Reset Laptop

[ADKM]

Hello, I have inherited an Apple laptop from a deceased estate. I've never used an Apple product but am familiar with Windows.
This has a password (unknown) and I've Googled for info on how to remove or reset it. I found some information but it didn't work as detailed. The advice was to press Command+R when turning on. I couldn't find an on/off switch. It seem to turn on when opened. Then it wanted to connect to the Net. I don't see the standard LAN or Ethernet port so I guess it uses it's own port and some kind of adapter. Obviously I have a bit to learn. Could someone explain how to reset it please? Or how to use the Net connection?
Thanks.

 

[casperes1996]

Do you know which model of Mac it is?

So, if the password is a firmware password, there is nothing you can do. If it's just a regular account password, the advice you saw is good. - The power button is most likely going to be on the top right of the keyboard. If it's just an account password you should be able to turn it off from the login page as well at the very bottom of that screen.

Holding cmd+r at boot will enter recovery mode, where you can wipe the drive and reinstall the OS. CMD+Option/(alt)+R will enter Internet Recovery in case the recovery partition isn't working.

Macs can use Wi-Fi from their firmware screens, so you won't need a wired connection. Not all Macs have ports for ethernet since Wi-Fi is so ubiquitous. For those that don't you'll most likely just be using a Thunderbolt adapter if you absolutely want wired, but wi-fi will work fine. If you try to enter Internet Recovery it'll show a list of Wi-Fi networks to pick from

 

[chown33]

If you can't figure out what model of Mac it is, you could take a photo of it and post the photo. Right now, we can't tell for sure whether you have a laptop or a desktop Mac. My guess is it's a laptop, because "turn on when opened" sounds more like what a laptop does than what a desktop does.

casperes1996 is right about Wi-Fi: it's more common these days than wired connections are. This is generally true for Windows computers, too, not just Macs.

The likely reason it can't connect to the Net is that it's looking for the name of the Wi-Fi network used by the deceased person. You won't be able to change the network it's looking for until you can login.

If there's an Apple store near you, you could try taking it there and explaining your situation. They might be able to walk you through the basics, if that's even possible. Again, as casperes1996 mentioned, if it's a firmware password, then you won't be able to get around it, even at an Apple store. You also won't be able to get around a disk-encryption password (aka FileVault).

Finally, are you trying to recover any data from this Mac? Or are you just trying to wipe it clean, so you can start using it? I'm asking because people can mean different things by "reset".

 

[ADKM]

Thanks for the replies. It'll be quite disappointing if I can't do anything if a "firmware password" .How can I tell?
It has got "Macbook Pro" written under the screen. And on the bottom Model A2141.
When I open it now the screen shows MacOSRecovery. Select a wifi network from the menu or attach a network cable. Options are Previous and Grayed out Next.
There is a wifi Network available but it's not showing. (There's no menu at all). There is a button on TR of Keybaord but it doesn't have anything written on it and doesn't seem to respond like a conventional on/off switch.
No, I'm not trying to recover data just do a "factory reset". Although things like photos could be of value. (It was owned by a family member). I've since found some other items that look like they provide a LAN port and some USBs and what may be HDMi.
Any help very much appreciated.

 

[casperes1996]

I think at this point we’d best be able to help if we can get a picture of the device and current state

 

[ADKM]

Is this what you mean ?

 

[Nermal]

Hmm... there should be a list of networks displayed so I don't know why it's not showing up!

Press and hold the top-right button and it should power off after about 5 seconds. Then press it again to power back on, and hold Command-Option-R. This should display a different network prompt, which will hopefully work.

 

[casperes1996]

Yeah, as Normal said

I will add that this is a pretty recent Mac. The power button is TouchID as well, so it's not just a power button but also a finger print reader

 

[ADKM]

That has shown a list of networks and I was able to select mine and enter the password.
There's now a small globe rotating and a very slow progress bar... (which is progressing tho!)
Will advise next happening...

 

[ADKM]

That has completed and asked for a password or a "forgotten" option, which I choose. Now it says it's linked to an Apple ID and is asking for that Password, again with a "forgotten" option. And the screen has gone off while writing this.

 

[casperes1996]

That has completed and asked for a password or a "forgotten" option, which I choose. Now it says it's linked to an Apple ID and is asking for that Password, again with a "forgotten" option. And the screen has gone off while writing this.

The computer will then need to be de-associated with the Apple ID before anything can be done to reset it.
Now this may be possible for Apple to do if you can document or otherwise prove the situation to them, but at this point you're in the hands of Apple support I think. At least unless someone else knows something I don't about this sort of situation

 

[ADKM]

Thank you for the advice. Does this mean it is not "firmware locked" and there is a chance it can be reset and used ?
I can certainly prove ownership and was aware my questions could have easily come from someone who'd just flogged it. If it is reset-able I should Google for official Apple support an email them? Or take it to a local Apple dealer?

 

[casperes1996]

Thank you for the advice. Does this mean it is not "firmware locked" and there is a chance it can be reset and used ?
I can certainly prove ownership and was aware my questions could have easily come from someone who'd just flogged it. If it is reset-able I should Google for official Apple support an email them? Or take it to a local Apple dealer?

Sounds to me like it's just Apple ID association and that can probably be removed if you can prove legal ownership. It's not a situation I've been in so I'm talking not from experience here, but yeah

I'd call/email Apple first and take it to a physical location if instructed to or something, but yeah

 

[macguy2021]

Looks like a Mac with a T2 or M1 security chip and Find My Mac Activation Lock enabled. It's a 2018 or newer MBP.

You will need to find the email and password for the deceased's Apple ID account, and then log into Find My Device on the iCloud website, remove this device from the list, and then you should be able to complete the recovery process.

Unfortunately without the login credentials it might as well be a firmware password. Much like with an iPhone or iPad, it cannnot be bypassed. In fact I'd even argue it's easier to clear a firmware password with an EFI flash without Apple.

Activation Lock is a deadend for us here. Your options are to find the Apple ID email and password or to plead your case with Apple Support but be ready for an arduous process with lots of documentation including will, death certificate, proof of purchase, etc proving that it is now rightly your machine. Otherwise it would be too easy to use this as an out.

 

[ADKM]

Understood. My thanks to one and all. I have contacted Apple and following their advice

How to request access to a deceased family member’s Apple Account - Apple Support

This article explains how to request access to or delete someone’s Apple Account and the data stored with it after they have passed away.

support.apple.com

If all succeeds I may be back asking questions about using it!
Regards, ADKM

 

[Lihp8270]

Looks like a Mac with a T2 or M1 security chip and Find My Mac Activation Lock enabled. It's a 2018 or newer MBP.

You will need to find the email and password for the deceased's Apple ID account, and then log into Find My Device on the iCloud website, remove this device from the list, and then you should be able to complete the recovery process.

Unfortunately without the login credentials it might as well be a firmware password. Much like with an iPhone or iPad, it cannnot be bypassed. In fact I'd even argue it's easier to clear a firmware password with an EFI flash without Apple.

Activation Lock is a deadend for us here. Your options are to find the Apple ID email and password or to plead your case with Apple Support but be ready for an arduous process with lots of documentation including will, death certificate, proof of purchase, etc proving that it is now rightly your machine. Otherwise it would be too easy to use this as an out.

It’s a 16” MBP so definitely not an M1

 

[macguy2021]

It’s a 16” MBP so definitely not an M1

Then it's a T2 chip. From an Activation Lock standpoint, same difference.

 

[stinkhorn9]

I'm in a similar situation with my late father's iPad Air. I don't want to access anything he kept on it though - he obviously wanted his privacy and I respect that. So what I've done is factory restore it - but I can't complete the set-up because even though it's all wiped, it's still associated with his Apple ID. So I've submitted a form - and proof of purchase - to Apple, and am now just waiting for them to disassociate the device / wipe his account whatever they do...

And waiting.

And waiting.