Can’t unlock FileVault — Apple ID keeps showing “account locked” after password reset

Hi everyone,


After several incorrect login attempts on my Mac, I got the message saying I needed to wait a few hours.


I then reset my password successfully through iforgot.apple.com using my Apple ID.

However, when I try to use that new password to unlock my Mac (FileVault is enabled), it says my account is temporarily locked.


Even after waiting overnight, the same message appears each time I try to sign in or use “Reset using Apple ID.”

I’ve already confirmed that my Apple ID works fine on other devices and at appleid.apple.com, so the issue seems to be local to the Mac.


Has anyone experienced this? Is there a way to clear the Apple ID lock for FileVault recovery, or do I need Apple Support to reset something on their end?


Thanks in advance for any help!


Posted on Nov 5, 2025 3:17 AM

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Posted on Nov 8, 2025 11:55 PM

t turned out the issue was that my FileVault-encrypted Data partition was locked.


When trying to unlock it from Recovery Mode, I couldn’t at first — it kept saying “Passphrase incorrect or user does not exist.”

I noticed that another related system partition was also locked, so I first unlocked that one.


After doing that, I tried unlocking the Data partition (Macintosh HD - Data) again, and this time it unlocked successfully.

Once the Data volume was unlocked, I restarted the Mac and was finally able to log in normally again.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 8, 2025 11:55 PM in response to zoranf10

t turned out the issue was that my FileVault-encrypted Data partition was locked.


When trying to unlock it from Recovery Mode, I couldn’t at first — it kept saying “Passphrase incorrect or user does not exist.”

I noticed that another related system partition was also locked, so I first unlocked that one.


After doing that, I tried unlocking the Data partition (Macintosh HD - Data) again, and this time it unlocked successfully.

Once the Data volume was unlocked, I restarted the Mac and was finally able to log in normally again.

Nov 6, 2025 6:50 PM in response to zoranf10

"Can’t unlock FileVault — Apple ID keeps showing “account locked” after password reset: [...]Has anyone experienced this? Is there a way to clear the Apple ID lock for FileVault recovery, or do I need Apple Support to reset something on their end?: Thanks in advance for any help!"

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Locked Apple Account Not Responding:

Yes. I've been through this, myself. And what this all comes down to is stop fiddling with the log in attend, and await the time allotted to log in. Once you are in there, creating a Recovery Key and having trusted devices to get back into your Apple Account:

  1. Go here: Set up a Recovery Hey for your Apple Account - Apple Support
  2. As it reads: "If you don't know your account password and have lost or otherwise don't have a trusted device, you need your recovery key to regain access to your Apple Account. If you can't provide your recovery key, you’ll be locked out of your account permanently."


More on This from a General Spectrum:

A. Visit this Link: If your Apple ID is Locked or Disabled - Apple Support


B. Why Accounts Become Locked:

When your Apple Account has been disabled, that often happens due to suspicious activity --- Perhaps nothing on your part. They disable it for no more than Security & Privacy concerns. But, in this case, you keep trying to reset this. So, you're just going to have to wait this out, as the more you unsuccessfully fiddle with this unsuccessful login, the longer you'll have to wait to get back in. So, take this as a learning experience, knowing to always is a Recovery Code.


C. Possible Reasons Leading to the Lock Could Include: 

  • Too many unsuccessful login attempts
  • VPN (Virtual Private Network) usage
  • Consistent transactions
  • Session Times Out
  • Disobeying Terms & Conditions

Nov 6, 2025 6:00 PM in response to zoranf10

I cannot tell if you have a FindMy lock issue here or just a macOS user account login issue here.


It is also possible, the underlying issue is you have a hardware issue with the keyboard so it is not typing the correct keys. Along a similar line, I recall seeing some people mention needing to change the keyboard layout on the login screen if they are using more than one keyboard layout....something about Tahoe IIRC.


Try using a different keyboard and if you have multiple keyboard layouts, try switching to a different layout.


Otherwise, I think you will need to contact Apple directly to figure this out or to at least confirm whether you have a local macOS user account issue or an AppleID/FindMy issue.

Can’t unlock FileVault — Apple ID keeps showing “account locked” after password reset

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