Oct 07, 2019 If you download and install apps from the internet or directly from a developer, macOS continues to protect your Mac. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature to verify that the software is from an identified developer and that it has not been altered.

Are you looking to sell or trade-in a MacBook because you’re ready to upgrade the latest model, but want to recycle your gear responsibly? Don’t forget to wipe your laptop and restore it to factory settings – If you don’t, your fully functional MacBook might end up in the dumpster.

Many people don’t realize it but, starting in 2018, Apple’s MacBook Pro and Air models were equipped with a T2 security chip. Apple added it to its iMac Pro and Mac mini models, too. The processor handles security on the Mac both during startup and while the Mac is operating. It provides a secure boot that allows only macOS authorized software to run and encrypts the hard drive to protect your data.

What’s the Issue?

Because of this security, a problem arises when a MacBook is turned in without being wiped.

Users can wipe their computer and create a fresh slate for the new user by factory resetting the device. This process requires the user to enter their password to authorize the deletion of all data on the drive.

Without this password, nobody can wipe the hard drive except Apple repair employees who have access to Apple’s official diagnostic software.

According to Vice, this security is a considerable problem to recyclers and refurbishers who take used Macs and restore them for resale. These companies are required by law to remove all existing data, but this can only be done by the original owner if the computer wasn’t reset.

Approximately 20 to 30 percent of T2-equipped Macs are not reset when they are sent in by an owner, said refurbisher John Bumstead to Vice.

These locked units are useless. Because they cannot resell these Macs, resellers often shred them and sell them for scrap. This happens to machines that are less than two years old and are fully functional except for being locked.

How to Factory Reset Your Mac

Taking a few minutes to reset your Mac is the best way to ensure your T2 Mac has a long life in the hands of another owner. It’s a relatively straightforward process to reset your Mac.

1. Sign out of user accounts including iCloud, iMessage and iTunes
2. Erase your hard drive and reinstall macOS following Apple’s instructions.
3. After macOS is finished installing, the Mac will restart to the welcome screen.
4. Press command-Q at this point to shut down the Mac and allow the new owner to complete the system configuration.

Does Your Mac Have a T2 Chip?

Before you worry about the T2 chip and wiping your Mac, you should confirm you have this added security feature.

1. Open the Apple menu in the upper left corner.
2. Click About This Mac.
3. Click the button labeled System Report.
4. In System Information window, look at the sidebar and click on either “Controller” or “iBridge” depending on the version of macOS that is installed.
5. If the controller information says, “Apple T2 Security Chip,” your Mac has the Apple T2 security chip.

One such difficulty arises, when you leave your Mac OS X device undisturbed for some time. It automatically goes to “Sleep” mode. But the problem surfaces, when you are asked for a password to enter the home screen, and the worst case scenario is that you are asked for it every time it goes to the sleep mode and you don’t know the password at all.

So now you are like WHAT TO DO? Relax folks; the help is at your desk to sort out your problem. There are two ways which can be attempted to resolve this issue. Either you find out the password first which has been set by default and lengthen the sleep timing to avoid the password entry every now and then or simply disable the password enquiry feature altogether so that you don’t need to enter any password at all.

Don’t miss: 3 ways to reset Mac login password without install disk

Method #1: Lengthen the Sleep Timing

This method would help you to avoid the iterating feature of wakeup password every time the device goes back to sleep. But prior to making the method useful, you first need to know the password of the sleep timer so that you can enter it at least upon being asked.

Go through the steps below to make the method functional:

Step 1. From the home screen, click on Apple logo and select “System Preferences” from the drop down menu.

Step 2. From the “System Preferences” operating window, choose “Security & Privacy” option.

Step 3. Click on “General” tab from the “Security & Privacy” option.

Step 4. Now; within the section “Require password —- after sleep or screen saver begins” click on the timer option and set the timing to the maximum level.

There you go! Now the next time it goes to sleep mode, it will take a lengthy interval before it asks for password again. Until then sit back and take a nap if you can. But if you seriously wish to disable the feature, better move on to the next method.

Also read: 2 Ways to Boot Your Mac in Safe Mode

Macos Requires Password For Trash Bags

Method #2: Disable Mac Wakeup Password after Waking Up

The previously mentioned method is only applicable if you are not willing to avoid the password probing, and most of all you do know the password. But what if you don’t know the password, then you would seriously require to eradicate the password feature altogether. Here we have mentioned few simple steps which you can follow to disable the password feature from the root core:

Step 1. Turn on your Mac Device and off the main interface screen, click on the Apple logo on the upper left corner of the screen.

Step 2. Select the “System preferences…” option.

Macos Requires Password For Trash Removal

Step 3. Now; choose “Security & Privacy” option, and then select the “General” tab.

Step 4. Click the lock to make changes. It will ask you to enter the admin password to allow this change. if you forgot your Mac OS login password, follow this tutorial to bypass login password on Mac OS.

Step 5. Once the “General” tab turns up, uncheck the “Require password after sleep and screen saver begins” section.

So once you are done with this much you won’t have to enter the password repeatedly after every wake up session and you will be relieved to leave your system undisturbed for as long as you want.

Conclusion:

Though the password protection set by default during every wake up session is an effective way to avoid sudden trespassers or intruders from sneaking in to your device, but at the same time creates whole lot of troubles for you as well. But if you wish to activate it again as per your need, you can check the “Require Password………” option box once again to re-activate the password protection in the same manner after every wake up.

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