Ask HN: How do I unlock the Activation Lock on my M1 MacBook?

4 points by ericreyes217 5mo ago ↗ HN

It’s been over two years since I last used my M1 MacBook Pro, and I’ve completely forgotten the password. Now when I press the power button, it asks for the Activation Lock password and I can’t get past that screen. Can you please help me unlock it or let me know what options I have?

3 comments

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haunter 5mo ago ↗

You don't that's the best part of it!

You can try to reset your iCloud password https://iforgot.apple.com/ If that doesn't work either then it's a paperweight and you can sell it for parts

reliefcrew 5mo ago ↗

Interestingly, this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_T2#Security_vulnerabilit...

reads as though it is possible using "checkra1n". But again... it might be easier to just buy something else :-/

vitovito 5mo ago ↗

If you still have your proof of purchase (if you bought it from Apple directly, they should also have it), you can take your receipt and the laptop to an Apple Store and they'll remove the activation lock. They may wipe the machine in the process, I don't recall.

(We had some company iPhones in our device lab, not on MDM, and people would attach them to their personal accounts, so this was an occasional hassle.)