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How to get past the black screen with the lock symbol on MacBook Air?

Tried many combinations: command R, option command q r, etc. the desktop is an MAC air (?). Forgot the password and am stuck in the mud. Meaningful suggestions?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Jul 26, 2023 8:28 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 26, 2023 8:44 PM

Hello sms58,

If you see a screen like this:



your MacBook Air has a firmware password set. Even if there is a firmware password, you should be able to start normally into macOS, but can't boot into other disks or the recoveryOS.

Try starting your Mac without pressing any keys. If you still see this screen, your keys might be stuck.

To disable the firmware password, see here: Set a firmware password on your Mac

If you forgot your firmware password, you will need to schedule an appointment with Apple. You will need your receipt or invoice as proof of purchase.

If it's something else, let me know and I will try to help.

See also: If your Mac doesn't start up all the way

Hope that helps!


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 26, 2023 8:44 PM in response to sms58

Hello sms58,

If you see a screen like this:



your MacBook Air has a firmware password set. Even if there is a firmware password, you should be able to start normally into macOS, but can't boot into other disks or the recoveryOS.

Try starting your Mac without pressing any keys. If you still see this screen, your keys might be stuck.

To disable the firmware password, see here: Set a firmware password on your Mac

If you forgot your firmware password, you will need to schedule an appointment with Apple. You will need your receipt or invoice as proof of purchase.

If it's something else, let me know and I will try to help.

See also: If your Mac doesn't start up all the way

Hope that helps!


How to get past the black screen with the lock symbol on MacBook Air?

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