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I know that the question can sound suspicius but let me explain. I've installed in end 2015 a frash mac osx. I setted up the firmware password and never used again. Until today. The problem is: I forgot that. I know that I can go to an Apple Store or a certified shop and have it restored, but this requires me a lot of time (I'm far away from Apple Store and the neares shop told me they have to keep it for 10 days beacuse they have other pc to repair first..).

My goal is to reinstall a fresh Mac OSX (I do every year). Is this possible without having the firmware password? I usually do the Command+R and the proceed from there, but I can't beacuse I don't remember the password.

I was wondering: if I download sierra installation can I run a fresh installation and erase all data?

PS: With the find my phone I can reset pc, but can I also reset the firmware password (I dubpt so)

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  • [without answering the question at all...] I would wonder why you feel it necessary to nuke & pave every year. My current Mac is a direct line of inheritance since about 2001; even though I've had many Macs in between, they've all been migrations. Not a nuke & pave in 15 years. [It's Windows that needs a good sand-blasting every so often, Macs don't.]
    – Tetsujin
    Jan 25, 2017 at 9:35
  • because i install a lot of apps to test and this is the easiest way to get rid of them.
    – EsseTi
    Jan 25, 2017 at 9:38
  • Then why not App Cleaner or AppCleaner - both freeware. Edit: ah, first one is 'in-app purchase' I use the 2nd one.
    – Tetsujin
    Jan 25, 2017 at 9:42
  • will try it out.
    – EsseTi
    Jan 25, 2017 at 9:43

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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There is nothing nicer than a fresh install, and the FW password was also an obstacle for me on my Mid-2012 Mac. After tinkering, I was able to erase my Mac to factory default and fresh install, but, this method does not reset the FW password.

You will need: - An internet connection - A second apple device connected to an Apple ID - Your Mac, connected to the same Apple ID with Find My Mac enabled.

  1. Connect iCloud "Find My Mac"
  2. Using another device, locate your Mac and find the "erase" option.
  3. Once your Mac has been erased, you should be taken to the recovery menu by default where you are able to install a fresh version of MacOS without the FW password.

This method will erase and restore your Mac to factory defaults, as if it were just out the box!

This was also my ultimate goal (security paranoia) and was relieved I did not have to go to apple and wait 10+ days for repair.

Unfortunately, after days of googling, tinkering and having faith I would be the first to break the code.... I do not think there is anyway to reset the FirmWare PW unless you visit Apple.

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  • WARNING: This doesn't work anymore at 2021!!! I tried it and the firmware password wasn't deleted! Broke my whole weekend!
    – Rebar
    Jan 30, 2021 at 16:17
  • There are hardware solutions available for some models - see macunlock.com
    – Timmmm
    Mar 19, 2022 at 14:41
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"Find my iPhone"->"Erase Mac" locks a MacBook with a firmware password. MacBook 2015 shows a black screen with white crossed-circle symbol (not the recovery menu) after it is erased.

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OSXDaily says you can do it by booting into recovery mode. If that is true, then setting the password in the first place was a complete waste of time.

iMacs from way back when would reset it by a button on the main logic board. If that is no longer possible, try this slightly more involved hack.

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  • 3
    You need firmware password to get into recovery mode.
    – whoKnows
    May 13, 2019 at 18:59

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