I restarted my Macbook Pro 2019 in Target Disk Mode. It rebooted to the EFI password screen. I dont remember my password. So now I want to get back to normal macos boot. Tried many times to restart but it boots to the EFI screen everytime. Is there a way to reset and get back to normal macOS boot ?
MacBook Pro
Is this the T2 authentication when the laptop is put into Target Disk Mode, or do you mean this laptop has a firmware password enabled? If a firmware password is enabled, then the screen will show a padlock as shown in this Apple article:
Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support
If this is not a firmware password, then just hold the power button down for at least 10 seconds to power off the laptop (which also performs an SMC Reset). If powering on the laptop still prompting for T2 authentication, then try a PRAM Reset (hold the PRAM Reset for two chimes). Sometimes the laptop may only do one chime and stay powered off. If this happens, disconnect the charger from the laptop for a minute, then reconnect the charger to power on the laptop.
How did you get the laptop into Target Disk Mode? Did you hold the "T" key or did you select "Target Disk Mode" in the Startup Disk System Preferences? If the latter, then the PRAM Reset should solve that problem. If it does not, then just hold down the Option key immediately after the Startup Chime to get the Apple boot picker menu. Select the internal boot drive which should boot into macOS. Once booted into macOS, make sure to select the default Startup Disk in the Startup Disk System Preferences.
Keep in mind if a firmware password is enabled, then none of these steps will work since a firmware password blocks all these special Mac startup keys.
Is this the T2 authentication when the laptop is put into Target Disk Mode, or do you mean this laptop has a firmware password enabled? If a firmware password is enabled, then the screen will show a padlock as shown in this Apple article:
Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support
If this is not a firmware password, then just hold the power button down for at least 10 seconds to power off the laptop (which also performs an SMC Reset). If powering on the laptop still prompting for T2 authentication, then try a PRAM Reset (hold the PRAM Reset for two chimes). Sometimes the laptop may only do one chime and stay powered off. If this happens, disconnect the charger from the laptop for a minute, then reconnect the charger to power on the laptop.
How did you get the laptop into Target Disk Mode? Did you hold the "T" key or did you select "Target Disk Mode" in the Startup Disk System Preferences? If the latter, then the PRAM Reset should solve that problem. If it does not, then just hold down the Option key immediately after the Startup Chime to get the Apple boot picker menu. Select the internal boot drive which should boot into macOS. Once booted into macOS, make sure to select the default Startup Disk in the Startup Disk System Preferences.
Keep in mind if a firmware password is enabled, then none of these steps will work since a firmware password blocks all these special Mac startup keys.
thanks a lot for the reply .. this is very helpful. Unfortunately its firmware protected password. So I guess I will be taking this to Apple Tech support to clear off the password.
thanks again for the help
Make sure to contact the Apple Store or the Apple Authorized Service Provider first to find out what they will accept as valid proof of purchase and personal ID so you will have the proper paperwork ready.
Getting out of Target Disk Mode
