r/applehelp • u/archswan • 17h ago

Mac Forgot Password

I have a disability that affects my memory, and I've forgotten my passwords for my MacBook M3 and iPad. When I try to reset my password, my MacBook asks for a recovery key that I don't have and don't remember ever setting up. I'm new to Apple devices, so I'm not sure what to do.

I know backing up your data is one of the first things you're told to do, and I know it's stupid of me not to have backed everything up. I've only backed up some of my files, and I'm worried about losing the rest.

If I contact Apple Support and provide proof of purchase, would they be able to help me recover access or reset my password without wiping my devices? Does anyone have any other suggestions that could work? Thank You.

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u/JediMeister 17h ago

When you set a FileVault recovery key you are prompted to enter it right away without errors to confirm it, so at one point you wrote it down somewhere. Since you cannot access your iPad which has the Passwords app from which that recovery key would normally be retrievable, the only thing you can do now is erase both products and if you know your Apple Account information you can easily release Activation Lock from both.

If not, then you have to provide receipts for both pieces of hardware to Apple through here and wait to hear back. Then assuming they confirm the server side block has been removed you can set up the Mac and iPad again with help from a trusted friend.