Hey, I’ve been hearing about Firmware Password and Recovery Lock Password on Mac devices. Are they just the same thing? Like, is one for Intel-based Macs and the other for M1/M2 chip-based Macs?
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Participant
2 months ago
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Not exactly! While both serve as security measures, there are some key differences. The firmware password is specific to intel-based macs and is set to prevent unauthorized users from booting into recovery mode or from using startup disks.
The recovery lock password, on the other hand, is designed for Apple silicon macs (M1/M2). It ensures only authorized users can access recovery mode or erase the Mac.
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Participant
2 months ago
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Oh, so they’re not interchangeable? I also heard that one of them can only be set via MDM. Is that true?
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Participant
2 months ago
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Yes, firmware password on intel macs can be set manually or through MDM. But for recovery lock password on Apple silicon devices, it must be configured using an MDM solution—there’s no manual setup option for it.
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Participant
1 month ago
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Got it! Do both these passwords offer the same level of protection, or is one more secure than the other?
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Participant
1 month ago
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The security level is similar in the sense that both prevent unauthorized access to recovery mode.
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Participant
1 month ago
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Thanks! One last thing—if a device is wiped, will the password still protect it?
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Participant
1 month ago
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Absolutely. Both passwords persist even after the device is erased, ensuring that unauthorized users can’t bypass them by resetting the device.
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Participant
1 month ago
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This clears things up! Thanks for explaining the differences.
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