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HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - Printable Version

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+---- Thread: HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? (/showthread.php?tid=6283008)

HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - Blockonome - Oct 22, 2024

Hey guys,

I am sitting with a Macbook Pro my colleage gave me, which was not picked up after he left a company.

He says he does not remember the password and when we open it, his account is still there ready to login.

When we try and start it in recovery mode, it basically ask us to prompt a password, which we do not know.

is there any way to wipe the Macbook clean and start it up from factory settings?

RE: HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - Bastille - Oct 22, 2024

Weird that the mac asks for a password for a recovery, does it asks for a iCloud password ?

Could you share a pic of the screen when the computer asks for the password ?

RE: HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - Blockonome - Oct 22, 2024

(Oct 22, 2024 05:26 AM)Bastille Wrote:  Weird that the mac asks for a password for a recovery, does it asks for a iCloud password ?

Could you share a pic of the screen when the computer asks for the password ?

I will share a screenshot later, but really it is just a black screen with NOTHING else than a lock icon, password field and arrow to press next.

Nothing else can be pressed.

RE: HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - Bastille - Oct 22, 2024

(Oct 22, 2024 06:28 AM)Blockonome Wrote:  I will share a screenshot later, but really it is just a black screen with NOTHING else than a lock icon, password field and arrow to press next.

Nothing else can be pressed.

Is it the same screen ?
[Image: ue7slDu.png]

If so, it's called "Firmware password" protection : https://support.apple.com/en-us/102384 (or EFI password)

I've never heard about it but before to be honest (but I'm ready to help you to bypass this è_é I love cracking stuff)

Quickly looking over YT it seems that there are options, but it depends on the model, here is what I've found so far :
  • Removing the RAM during the process (this requires an old gen, as now the RAM is soldered)

  • Getting the hash value of the password (pressing shift + ctl + alt + cmd seems to show the hash value on the password screen)

  • Removing the chip from the motherboard where the password is stored to use an adapter to plug it to a Windows computer to remove the password or re-write the chip

  • Removing the chip from the motherboard where the password is stored and change it by a new one



The last two options on a video :


RE: HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - Blockonome - Oct 22, 2024

(Oct 22, 2024 10:14 AM)Bastille Wrote:  Is it the same screen ?
[Image: ue7slDu.png]

If so, it's called "Firmware password" protection : https://support.apple.com/en-us/102384 (or EFI password)

I've never heard about it but before to be honest (but I'm ready to help you to bypass this è_é I love cracking stuff)

Quickly looking over YT it seems that there are options, but it depends on the model, here is what I've found so far :
  • Removing the RAM during the process (this requires an old gen, as now the RAM is soldered)

  • Getting the hash value of the password (pressing shift + ctl + alt + cmd seems to show the hash value on the password screen)

  • Removing the chip from the motherboard where the password is stored to use an adapter to plug it to a Windows computer to remove the password or re-write the chip

  • Removing the chip from the motherboard where the password is stored and change it by a new one



The last two options on a video :

So this is amazing, but I fugged up.

I reset the SMC on the MAC as that was one of the options that I found, however, after doing that, the Mac does not even want to turn on anymore....

I read that I might have to remove the battery for 5 seconds, but do not have the tools to remove the back cover lol.

RE: HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - Nit0 - Oct 22, 2024

The tools to remove the back cover should be easily available on Amazon for a few bucks

RE: HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - Blockonome - Oct 22, 2024

(Oct 22, 2024 10:32 AM)Nit0 Wrote:  The tools to remove the back cover should be easily available on Amazon for a few bucks

If Bastille is ready to go on video call with me to fix it, I will buy the tools!

RE: HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - Bastille - Oct 22, 2024

(Oct 22, 2024 10:34 AM)Blockonome Wrote:  If Bastille is ready to go on video call with me to fix it, I will buy the tools!

There are plenty of videos on YT especially from iFixit that will explain way better than me haha, you just need to look for the same model (under the mac, near to the serial number, you should se something like : Model A#### (with 4 digits), use this reference + "battery removal / changing" and you'll find a tutorial

However Apple is quite annoying regarding the screws, you need specific shapes for the screwdriver. I bought the iFixit toolkit which has all required and the quality is very good

RE: HELP - Macbook Pro locked! Is it possible to wipe it? - walk3 - Nov 7, 2024

Is there anything that worked? I have the exact same issue. Willing to pay for the help.