iMac bypass logon screen

[fireman0174]

New iMac. Issue is with required logon.

I'm trying to set up my machine to avoid the need to enter the logon password when the computer is started. In the Users & Groups area of System Settings, I've set the "Automatically log in as ______ to my selected name as I am the Admin.

Yet, I'm still required to login most of the time, but not always. I've attached a snapshot for clarification. Am I doing something wrong or am I missing a step?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

This support doc seems to indicate that you've done everything you're supposed to do. You should entire be required to enter your password all the time or never. It shouldn't happen randomly.

And can you confirm that you are getting this password request on startup or from sleep/wake? If the latter, read the article about how to disable that part of it.

How to log in automatically to a Mac user account - Apple Support

When automatic login is turned on for a macOS user account, the Mac automatically logs in to that account during startup.

support.apple.com

 

[fireman0174]

This support doc seems to indicate that you've done everything you're supposed to do. You should entire be required to enter your password all the time or never. It shouldn't happen randomly.

And can you confirm that you are getting this password request on startup or from sleep/wake? If the latter, read the article about how to disable that part of it.

How to log in automatically to a Mac user account - Apple Support

When automatic login is turned on for a macOS user account, the Mac automatically logs in to that account during startup.

support.apple.com

Startup. I rarely use sleep mode. But I will check.

 

[Rod]

If you click on the question mark (bottom right) of the screen you will see explanations of the settings on that window.
Note in Automatically Login there is this proviso;

[TD]Note: Automatic login allows anyone to access your Mac simply by restarting it. If automatic login is enabled, make sure your Mac doesn’t automatically log in an administrator. When FileVault is turned on, automatic login is disabled.[/TD]

So, if you have File Vault turned on it wont work and because you are an Admin...well, it's possible that the iMac will still require you to login from Off but maybe not from sleep or restart. Apple has kinda imposed a lot of security "safety nets" on us of late and while they say this is for our own good they sometimes clash with what we want. Personally my Apple Watch logs me into my Mac automatically.

 

[pm-r]

New iMac. Issue is with required logon.

What macOS version is being used and is it up to date?

I'm wondering if Apple has upped some extra security login or something.





- Patrick
=======

 

[Rod]

I got that note from Users & Groups Settings in macOS Sequoia 15.1.1

 

[IWT]

will still require you to login from Off but maybe not from sleep or restart.

I agree, Rod. I have mine set up such that the only time I have to log in manually is after a complete shutdown. Never from "sleep" and not from a Restart.

(For those that might not sense the difference: Shutdown switches everything OFF. To Switch ON again needs a login.
A Restart is when the Mac is running and you press "Restart", perhaps to clear some slight difficulty. It then recycles the Mac with a new startup, but no Login required)

Ian

 

[pine man]

I have the same settings as the op and a password is never required either at a restart or when starting up after having been turned off completely. However, if an update is applied, I get a password request after it has been installed.

 

[MacInWin]

I can confirm what Rod said. FileVault overrides the automatic logon. In fact, if you turn on FV and then try to set up automatic login, it tells you that you cannot do that.

 

[pm-r]

In fact, if you turn on FV and then try to set up automatic login, it tells you that you cannot do that.

Thanks Jake. It sounds like apple is slowly removing every single user option that doesn't support their idea of security... User be damned. Apple's way or no way I guess is the new Apple Way.




- Patrick
=======

 

[MacInWin]

Thanks Jake. It sounds like apple is slowly removing every single user option that doesn't support their idea of security... User be damned. Apple's way or no way I guess is the new Apple Way.




- Patrick
=======

Patrick, think of it this way: Auto login and FV are inconsistent. The drive is encrypted with the user login password, so having it bypassed at login means the encryption is also bypassed. Now if Apple required a second, separate, password for unlocking the FV encryption, the auto login could work, but then the login would get stopped at the FV password. So it really makes zero sense to have FV ON and then try Autologin to bypass it. As I see it, what Apple has done is logical.

 

[Rod]

It's also consistent with auto login with the Apple Watch. If the device is turned off, first login requires user name and password before auto login is re enabled.

 

[MacBiter]

I would NEVER turn on automatic login - if your Mac got stolen you've just granted access to everything on your computer to the thief.

 

[pm-r]

I would NEVER turn on automatic login - if your Mac got stolen you've just granted access to everything on your computer to the thief.

I would suggest that that depends on the user.

I have absolutely nothing on my Mac of any personal information that any potential Thief would be interested in that couldn't be obtained from other means such as some telephone or city directories.

Your situation is obviously different it seems.




- Patrick
=======

 

[MacBiter]

I would suggest that that depends on the user.

I have absolutely nothing on my Mac of any personal information that any potential Thief would be interested in that couldn't be obtained from other means such as some telephone or city directories.

Your situation is obviously different it seems.

My situation is the same as any other user - photos, some going back decades, diaries, personal information, more than enough for identity theft, which is - or should be - everyone's main concern.

 

[pm-r]

My situation is the same as any other user -

I'm sorry MacBiter but that's much too large a generalization to assume and as I said it doesn't apply to what I have installed on my iMac. There is nothing other than my name, address and telephone number and email addresses as far as identifying information goes.

I'm sure I'm not the only one.





- Patrick
=======

 

[Jimmysb]

I'm sorry MacBiter but that's much too large a generalization to assume and as I said it doesn't apply to what I have installed on my iMac. There is nothing other than my name, address and telephone number and email addresses as far as identifying information goes.

I'm sure I'm not the only one.





- Patrick
=======

I hear the generalisation “everyone “ far to often and that ‘that is NOT me’ most people maybe but everyone NO.

 

[pm-r]

I hear the generalisation “everyone “ far to often and that ‘that is NOT me’ most people maybe but everyone NO.

+1. I must agree but how about maybe many people or even some people. But definitely not everyone.




- Patrick
=======

 

[pine man]

I would NEVER turn on automatic login - if your Mac got stolen you've just granted access to everything on your computer to the thief.

Apart from 'everything' that is stored in password protected apps or in the cloud!

 

[ferrarr]

Don't forget the age of the device and the OS versions also have their limitations. Exactly when did password managers (browsers?) need the user account password (other password) to unlock them? The wasn't always the case, or was it?