MacOs 27.0 update causing reboot issues

macOS 27 Golden Gate – MacBook Air M5: Repeated Wi-Fi and Apple Account Password Requests After Restart

This behaviour is not normal and may indicate an issue introduced during the macOS upgrade. Rather than immediately resetting network settings or changing security configurations, I would recommend a systematic approach to identifying the underlying cause.

First, establish whether FileVault is enabled.

Apple silicon Macs (M1 through M5) already use hardware-based storage encryption. FileVault provides an additional layer of protection by requiring authentication to unlock the startup disk.

Apple explains this distinction in its official documentation: Protect data on your Mac with FileVault.

We should not assume that upgrading to Golden Gate automatically enabled FileVault without user intervention. Let's establish its actual status.

Open Applications > Utilities > Terminal, enter the following command and press Return:

fdesetup status

If the response is FileVault is On, FileVault protection is enabled. If it reports FileVault is Off, it is disabled. If encryption is in progress, allow it to complete before drawing conclusions.

Record the exact response. Do not change FileVault settings at this stage.

Next, observe and identify the complete startup sequence.

Restart your MacBook Air and carefully observe when both the Wi-Fi and password requests appear. Determine whether the Wi-Fi request occurs before or after the Apple logo and loading progress, and whether the password request appears before macOS loads, during startup, or after reaching the normal login screen.

Also establish whether the requested password is your Mac login password or your Apple Account password.

Apple's documentation explains how FileVault credentials are used during the boot process: Introduction to FileVault.

For additional context, Apple's technical explanation of the Apple silicon boot process is available here: Boot process for a Mac with Apple silicon.

These distinctions are important because FileVault disk unlocking, startup security verification and Apple Account authentication are separate mechanisms.

Then, investigate the startup security configuration.

Apple provides a specific guide for Apple silicon Macs explaining Full Security and Reduced Security, and how startup security policies are configured.

See: Change security settings on the startup disk of a Mac with Apple silicon.

Full Security requires an internet connection when installing operating system software. However, this alone does not establish that the recurring Wi-Fi request is caused by startup security.

For now, simply establish the current behaviour. Do not change the security policy.

Once logged in, verify your Apple Account status.

Navigate to System Settings > Apple Account and confirm that your account remains signed in.

Apple's instructions are available here: Sign in to or out of your Apple Account on Mac.

If your account remains signed in but macOS continues requesting your Apple Account password after every restart, we should investigate an authentication or account-services issue separately from FileVault.

If necessary, Apple also provides guidance here: If you can't connect or sign in to iCloud.

Finally, check for available macOS updates.

Navigate to System Settings > General > Software Update and check whether Apple has released a subsequent update or corrective patch for your installed macOS version.

Apple's instructions: Update macOS on Mac.

If the problem involves Wi-Fi connectivity after macOS has loaded, Apple's additional troubleshooting guidance is available here: If your Mac isn't connecting to the internet over Wi-Fi.

For now, avoid reinstalling macOS, resetting network settings, disabling FileVault or changing startup security configurations. We should establish the cause before making changes that could introduce additional problems.

The objective is to establish three things: whether FileVault is ON or OFF according to Terminal, precisely when the Wi-Fi and password requests occur during startup, and whether the requested password is your Mac login password or your Apple Account password.

FileVault disk unlocking, Apple silicon startup security and Apple Account authentication are separate mechanisms. Identifying which one is responsible is the key to finding the correct solution rather than treating every startup authentication request as the same problem.

My recommendation: Start with the FileVault check and the startup observations. Those findings will determine which of Apple's troubleshooting paths is actually relevant, without compromising the Mac's existing security configuration.

The current version of macOS is 27.2.