JANUARY 2022 MACWORLD 109The strong security FileVault offers can
also be a problem. Suppose you forget
your password (unlikely, I hope!). Or
something in macOS breaks or is
corrupted in the account login process or
files (also unlikely, but it happens). In those
cases, you may be unable to gain access
without knowing your Recovery Key or
unless you can log into iCloud to retrieve a
version Apple holds in escrow for you. (If
you can’t immediately find your Recovery
Key or remember whether you chose the
iCloud escrow option, read “Is your macOS
FileVault Recovery Key current? Here’s
how to check [fave.co/3y3NGo1].”)
Apple relies on the FileVault Recovery
Key to let you regain access to your Mac
or to reset your account password when
you’ve forgotten it. Unfortunately, the
company doesn’t provide a single set of
straightforward instructions for how this
works in a single place for the multiple
cases you might encounter. Here’s what
to do.Recover via login window
First, start up your Mac if it’s powered
down. (If you’re trying to reset the
password and your Mac is booted and
logged in, choose → Restart.)
Next, at the login screen click your
account icon:
> In Catalina and later, a password field
appears with a question mark (?) at the far
right. Click the question mark. Some
lengthy text appears that starts “If you
forgot your password you can...”
> In Mojave and earlier, you have toThe question mark is your key to unlocking a Mac that’s protected by FileVault.