• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
methodshop

methodshop

tech news, reviews & how to's

  • Trending
  • Latest Stories
  • Fun
  • Culture
  • Learn
  • Tech
  • Search
You are here: Home / Technology / Software / How To Set Your Firmware Password in Mac OS X

How To Set Your Firmware Password in Mac OS X

Setting a firmware password will prevent unauthorized access of your Mac. Here's how to set your firmware password in Mac OS X.

April 20, 2016 by Joe Michaels
Facebook0Tweet0Pin0LinkedIn0
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • 01) Turn off your Mac
  • 02) Activate Recovery Mode
  • 03) OS X Firmware Password Utility
  • 04) Turn On Firmware Password
  • 05) Enter Password
  • 06) Quit Firmware Password Utility
  • 07) Restart
  • 08) How Firmware Passwords Protect Stolen Macs

Want to protect your Mac and it’s data in case it ever gets stolen or falls into the wrong hands? Even if you have your Mac secured with a password, FileVault file encryption, and a computer theft recovery service, someone can still access it by booting from an external hard drive.

Setting a firmware password will prevent unauthorized access of your Mac and stop someone from erasing it. The firmware password is stored on your Mac’s motherboard and can’t be erased or reset. Here’s how to set your firmware password.

01) Turn off your Mac

To shut the Mac off completely, choose “Shut Down” from the Apple menu. If your Mac won’t shut down or you can’t open the Apple menu, hold down the power button for 5 seconds to force a shutdown.

  • Apple > Shut Down

How to Shut Down Your Mac

02) Activate Recovery Mode

Turn your Mac back on and immediately activate Recovery Mode by holding down the Command and R keys at the same time.

Activate Recovery Mode

03) OS X Firmware Password Utility

Wait until the OS X Utilities screen appears. Then click on the Utilities menu from the menu bar and select Firmware Password Utility.





OS X Utilities > Firmware Password Utility

OS X Utilities

04) Turn On Firmware Password

You should see a screen telling you that your firmware password is off. Click on the “Turn On Firmware Password” button.

05) Enter Password

Pick a familiar password that you will remember or store it somewhere safe. There is no password recovery for firmware passwords. Click the Set Password button.

Until 2010, Mac firmware passwords could easily be reset by opening the computer, removing the memory and forcing the computer’s Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) to rest. But in 2010 Apple redesigned their motherboards and disabled the ability to reset your firmware even if your computer has removable RAM.

If you forget your firmware password, you’re screwed. You will have to take your computer to an Apple Store for repair.

firmware-password

06) Quit Firmware Password Utility

Click quit when you are done.

07) Restart

Click on the  menu and select Restart to reboot your computer and get back to work.

08) How Firmware Passwords Protect Stolen Macs

In addition to setting your Mac’s firmware password, it’s a good idea to use a lost computer recovery service like Digital Sentry. These services will track the geolocation of your stolen Mac, take screenshots and camera photos of the thief, log keystrokes and even let you remote wipe the computer if necessary. And since you’ve enabled a firmware password, the thief can’t erase your hard drive and remove the software!

Related Posts:

  • Mac OS X Password Reset: How To Reset Your PasswordMac OS X Password Reset: How To Reset Your Password
  • New iPhone Firmware Update 2.0 Provides Some 3G iPhone Clues (2008)New iPhone Firmware Update 2.0 Provides Some 3G…
  • iPhone 2.2 Firmware Beta Includes Google Street View FeatureiPhone 2.2 Firmware Beta Includes Google Street View Feature

Facebook0Tweet0Pin0LinkedIn0
Category: Software, DIY & How To Tag: Apple, EFI, Extensible Firmware Interface, FileVault, firmware, Firmware Password Utility, mac, Mac OS, Mac OS X, motherboard, password, Recovery Mode, security, theft
Previous Post: « Atari Breakout Easter Egg Celebrate Atari Breakout’s 40th Anniversary with a Google Search Easter Egg
Next Post: The Financial, Environmental and Emotional Costs of Commuting Costs of Commuting »

Sidebar


Trending Now

  • How To Easily Create A PayPal Shipping Label Without InvoiceHow To Easily Create A PayPal Shipping Label Without Invoice
  • 7 Pictures Of Naked People Captured By Google's Cameras7 Pictures Of Naked People Captured By Google’s Cameras
  • The 30 Best Caddyshack Quotes That'll Make You LaughThe 30 Best Caddyshack Quotes That’ll Make You Laugh
  • Dirty Drunken Pat O'Brien Voicemails Send Him RehabDirty Drunken Pat O’Brien Voicemails Send Him Rehab
  • How To Import Microsoft Teams Customized BackgroundsHow To Import Microsoft Teams Customized Backgrounds
  • The 30 Best Office Space Quotes (How Many Do You Know?)The 30 Best Office Space Quotes (How Many Do You Know?)
  • 20 Silly 90s Fads That Were Cool Then, But Definitely Aren't Now20 Silly 90s Fads That Were Cool Then, But Definitely Aren’t Now
  • Better Off Dead Quotes: Top 25 Better Off Dead Movie QuotesBetter Off Dead Quotes: Top 25 Better Off Dead Movie Quotes
  • 20 Best Ferris Bueller Quotes From Ferris Bueller's Day Off20 Best Ferris Bueller Quotes From Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
  • 50+ Famous Happy Birthday Quotes From Notable Personalities50+ Famous Happy Birthday Quotes From Notable Personalities





Polaire Personal Cooling Device - Fraud Alert

5 Reasons Why The Polaire Air Conditioner Is An Internet Scam

Here are all of the reasons why you should NOT buy the Polaire air conditioner and why this personal cooling device is not a legitimate alternative to air conditioning.

Categories

Platoon Movie Quotes

10 Powerful Platoon Quotes That Will Shake Your Reality

Running Man Quotes

36 Best Running Man Quotes From The 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger Film

Actually, there’s really no dialog in this film, just lots of one-liners. Here are some of the best Running Man quotes from the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film.



About

MethodShop’s mission is to entertain, inform, and sometimes gross you out. MethodShop has affiliate relationships, so we may get a small share of the revenue from your purchases. Items are sold by the retailer, not by us. All prices are subject to change.

Latest

Products That Can Help You Easily Monitor Electricity Usage At Home

4 Products That Can Help You Easily Monitor Electricity Usage At Home

Snow Pee Prank

Try This Hilarious Snow Pee Prank On Your Friend’s Car

Follow

MethodShop Animated Zoom Icon
  • About
  • Submit
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Store

Copyright © 2021 MethodShop · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.