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Community User

Apple T2 Security enclave concerns

Concerned with my 2019 Intel MacBook Pro with the T2 Chip as someone can physically unlock it just by going to recovery and opening terminal, and typing in a command, I assume it's "resetpassword" and the password can be reset and accessed, Now, I CAN set up a firmware password to prevent something like this, but sometimes it may not be ideal for my environment, and/or I assume that it can be bypassed one way or another, Any suggestions?

Posted on Sep 22, 2026 11:03 PM

6 replies

Chattanoogan
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)

Sep 23, 2026 12:34 PM in response to Community User

Yes, but did you actually successfully change the password via this method ?


Re: “… Now, I CAN set up a firmware password to prevent something like this, but sometimes it may not be ideal for my environment, and/or I assume that it can be bypassed one way or another …”


Only by Apple with sufficient proof of ownership.


Ref:

Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support


HWTech
User level: Level 9 (78,350 points)

Sep 24, 2026 10:43 AM in response to Community User

Have you turned on Filevault to see if that changes anything? Because without Filevault enabled, then your password is irrelevant anyway for accessing the data.


The only time a firmware password lock will get in the way is if you are trying to boot to something other than the internal SSD. And even with that all you need to do is Option Boot and enter the firmware password to get your other boot options.

IdrisSeabright
User level: Level 10 (201,695 points)

Sep 23, 2026 7:12 AM in response to Community User

Mu-iOS wrote:
I have tried the command, and it instantly opened a reset password window prompting me to type a new password for the user account, without asking me for the password.

Did you do this by going into recovery?

Zurarczurx
User level: Level 6 (8,142 points)

Sep 22, 2026 11:40 PM in response to Community User

You can't reset the password without knowing the password.

Community User Author

Sep 23, 2026 1:31 AM in response to Zurarczurx

I have tried the command, and it instantly opened a reset password window prompting me to type a new password for the user account, without asking me for the password.

Community User Author

Sep 23, 2026 12:01 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Yes, macOS recovery.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256363242