Intel-based Macs equipped with the can often be unlocked using specialized third-party software that interacts with the device in DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode.

It’s a nightmare scenario for any Mac owner: you buy a used MacBook, fire it up, and instead of the familiar chime and login screen, you’re met with a gray padlock icon and a password field—before macOS even loads. That’s the in action. It’s Apple’s hardware-level lock, designed to prevent your Mac from booting from any unauthorized disk (USB, external drive, or even recovery partition). For legitimate owners, forgetting that password can turn a $3,000 laptop into an expensive paperweight. Enter the shadowy world of Mac EFI firmware password removal tools .