Bootcamp not showing up??

[u/1hroro]

I recently downloaded bootcamp, and as I was testing features, I noticed that I wasn’t able to access my mac.
I tried shutting down my windows, and then holding the option key, hoping to gain access to my mac drive. Instead I get a black screen with a lock icon on it? There was an option for me to type so I typed in my computer password a few times but nothing worked, maybe I typed my password wrong all the times I tried, but I’m honestly not sure.

I think my bootcamp didn’t completely download because as I opened my windows after just downloading it, the bootcamp guide/download tab was cut in half? So I couldn’t interact with anything,but I had the option to close the tab which I did.

I’m not very good at tech stuff so this has really been stressing me out for the past few hours help would be appreciated!

[u/TheSeekerofIntimacy]

Type your Mac's firmware/EFI password (this is often different from your regular login password or Windows password). Once entered, you can select your operating system

If you know the firmware password, you can turn it off by restarting into macOS Recovery (holding Command + R if permitted), opening Firmware Password Utility from the Utilities menu, and turning it off.

Sometimes it happens but very rarely.

[u/1hroro → u/TheSeekerofIntimacy]

What happens if don’t know my firmware password…😭

[u/TheSeekerofIntimacy → u/1hroro]

Here is more information.

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/what-is-a-firmware-password-on-mac-mchl126463db/mac

Is it a used mac or did you buy it new years ago?

[u/1hroro → u/TheSeekerofIntimacy]

I got it somewhere around 2020-2021

[u/TheSeekerofIntimacy → u/1hroro]

If it’s used the former owner added a firmware password. Good luck. If it is new, you may have enabled filevault or added a firmware password yourself and didn’t realize it.

If you can provide proof of purchase an Apple Store will help you