My husband's mother passed away from kidney cancer and liver failure two years ago at just 53. We recently found her MacBook and would like to recover family photos, documents, and other memories as a keepsake. Unfortunately, we don't know the login password or whether she left recovery information, and we aren't familiar with Macs. We live in the EU, so we'd especially appreciate guidance on the legitimate options available here. Is there any way to regain access or request the data without the original credentials?
2 Answers
There may be two separate protections involved. If it’s only the macOS account password and the drive wasn’t encrypted with FileVault, macOS Recovery may allow the password to be reset. On an Intel Mac, start Recovery with Command-R; on Apple silicon, hold the power button until the startup options appear. However, if FileVault encryption is enabled, the files generally require her password or recovery key—Apple can’t bypass that encryption. There may also be Activation Lock, which is separate from the login password. Apple may be able to remove that lock after reviewing documents such as a death certificate and, depending on the country, proof of legal authority. If she designated a Legacy Contact, or if the files were stored in iCloud, Apple’s digital-legacy or account-access process may be the appropriate route. Check the official Apple support pages for the requirements in your EU country.
I’m sorry for your loss. The password is intended to protect the owner’s private files, so avoid repeatedly guessing or reinstalling macOS, since that could make recovery harder or erase data. First look for written passwords, a recovery-key printout, backups, or another trusted device that may still be signed in to her Apple account. If none of those exist, contact Apple Support and ask specifically about estate access, Legacy Contact procedures, and Activation Lock removal. The exact documentation can vary across EU countries.
She spent much of her final years in hospital and focused on her treatment and writing her will, so passwords probably weren’t something she had time to organize. We’ll check carefully for any notes or backups.
Thank you. I’ll explain these options to my husband and see whether we can find any recovery information or legal documents.