Unable to boot into recovery

[sunnyjohn2]

I'm up-to-date on Sonoma on my 21.5 desktop 2018 Mac.
Both Onyx and Disk utility have identified a problem for which I need to boot into Recovery to access first aid. However, the Lock Screen will not accept my correct Apple ID. I tried changing the password but it won't accept the new one either.
Any ideas?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Well... Recovery doesn't require your "Apple ID" so I'm not sure exactly WHAT it's looking for...

Boot while holding Command-Option-R. You should see a Globe, then you can let go of the keys. Should boot up into Recovery. There might be passwords/passcodes it asks for, but they won't be your Apple ID so if you see the screen booting that way, post a picture.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

I went to the offfical Apple site - the screen shot is below. Item 3 says that if you see a lock you should enter your apple password.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Yes - the password for your Mac. Not your Apple ID.

So you can see where my confusion comes in

 

[sunnyjohn2]

OK, got that. I made sure my Mac password was correct by logging out and logging in again. No problem. However, the Lock Screen won't accept it. Can I boot to recovery via terminal?

 

[tonmischa]

The Mac asks for your "Firmware Password".

Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support

When you set a firmware password, users who don't have the password can't start up from any disk other than the designated startup disk.

support.apple.com

 

[sunnyjohn2]

OK and thanks. To set the firmware password requires starting from recovery. Back to square one! However, your link provides links to a whole set of options. I might just be able to do a reinstall of Sonoma. I'll work through the options and see what I can do.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

Well, I've spent a happy morning exploring possibilities, most of which require me to boot into recovery!
I have, however, come up with two possible solutions:
1 - contact Apple support
2 - Use the online EFI firmware tool - about £50

I found that I do have a firmware password set by asking in Terminal. Since I never set it, I wonder if one of the default passwords would work. I found Password and Default but neither worked.
I can't do a reinstall because that requires booting into Recovery.

Before I spend £50 or contact apple support, any last ideas?

 

[kitKAC]

Contact Apple Support.

 

[Fishrrman]

Advice for the future.
Never, never, NEVER set a firmware password UNLESS you have a really REALLY good reason to need one.

"I want one" is not "reason enough"...

 

[sunnyjohn2]

I didn't - it came with it set.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Use the online EFI firmware tool - about £50

That… sounds scammy to me 🧐

If the Mac came with a firmware password, I’m assuming you didn’t buy it new. You could be in for a real hassle. Apple will want to see the Mac in person and will want proof of ownership (original, not resale).

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I didn't - it came with it set."

Then... unless you have the firmware password... you've got problems.
Chances are it will never be usable.

Tell me... why would you buy a Mac that had someone else's firmware password set on it?

If your answer is "I didn't know"... then it's likely that you have a stolen computer.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

I bought it new from the Apple Shop here in Valencia in 2019. I've been searching for the documentation and invoice, which I hope to find. Visiting the shop is not a problem and they will have a record of my purchase, as will my bank.

The first I knew about a firmware password was yesterday. Maybe the documentation mentioned it but I didn't even know such a thing existed. If you find that odd, bear in mind that most car owners have no idea where on their vehicle the serial number of their vehicle is located. Apologies for my ignorance, but I just drive the thing and occasionally look under the bonnet (of the iMac, that is!).

 

[Fishrrman]

I doubt that a "new" Mac would EVER come with the firmware password already set.

"Open box"... possible, but,
"Brand new" ... no.

The "Apple Shop" in Valencia -- was that an actual "Apple Store" (run by Apple), or was it a "3rd party service provider"? IF the latter, than anything is (was) possible.

Your bank will be of no help with Apple.
They will want to see a "provable" sales receipt.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

It is a proper Apple Shop. I have proof of identity via a Spanish Resident's card, and the bank card with which I paid for the iMac. I also, of course, have the serial number, so they will have a record of the sale. I will need to convince them via my documentation that I was the purchaser. Meanwhile, I am continuing to search for the receipt!

 

[Nermal]

Are you able to post a photo of the password screen, so we can verify that we're all talking about the same thing?

 

[tonmischa]

There is a Terminal command that deals with Firmware Passwords.

reset macOS firmware password

Much too complicated. There is a tool for this: sudo firmwarepasswd -setpasswd # Set a new password sudo firmwarepasswd -check # Check whether a password is set sudo firmwarepasswd -verify # Verify your password sudo...

forums.macrumors.com

So you can confirm from your usual user account whether a FW Password is set or not.
But you cannot delete it without knowing it.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

Thanks - yes I found that command on Terminal and it has confirmed that a password is set. But, as you say, I cannot do any more. Since I never knew until a couple of days ago that such a thing existed, there is no way I could have set it, so I am assuming that it was already set when I purchased the iMac from the Apple shop is 2019. I hope to find the purchase invoice and get the same shop to change it. Still looking!

 

[sunnyjohn2]

OK - now for an update and an end to the story. As my Cornish colleague and friend used to say (think this with a Cornish accent) "I d' 'ate 'alf a tale!"
So far I have been unable to locate the receipt for this machine.
However, out of curiosity, I ran First Aid in Disk Utility, and then Onyx. Both came up with the computer OK. So I am assuming that the machine has mended itself - at least, for the moment.

So thank you as always to all of you who tried to help.

Now, some advice would be much appreciated. This 2019 Desktop will shortly become obsolete, so I am looking to upgrade. What I asm thinking about is a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro together with an LG Ultra external screen. Two big advantages to this setup is that we can take the Laptop when we go travelling, and it all takes a lot less room on the desk. Also, my wife uses a Mac mini with an LG screen and we really like the clarity. Since I am spending my childrens' inheritance, with their permission!, money is not a problem,.

Advice and recommendations please!

 

[sunnyjohn2]

OK - forget the last paragraph - just found your excellent Mac Rumours guide!

 

[sunnyjohn2]

It's good to have a happy ending!

At long last (I've been poorly) I got to the Apple shop in Valencia city centre and was allocated a lovely English-speaking technician called Carlos. I explained that I needed to unlock my firmware password and he asked for proof of purchase. I gave him my delivery note, the relevant bank statement and the information on my Mac from the Mac website. He tested the Mac and stated that removing the firmware password was not a problem. But he needed to clear my purchase details with the regional Apple office in Spain. He kept the Mac in their lockup overnight and called me next morning to say that the office had cleared the security - they were happy with the evidence I'd produced. He removed the firmware password and said it was up to me if I wanted to set another.

I duly brought the Mac home, booted into Recovery and cleared the dead sector via First Aid.

Apple Valencia could not have been more helpful and, despite the fact that the Mac was out of warranty, there was no charge.