Fix Startup Security Utility 'No Administrator was Found'

Summary: A tutorial to fix the error "Recovery is trying to change system settings. No Administrator was found" in Startup Security Utility. It lists the verified methods and analyzes all possible causes for this error.

The "Recovery is trying to change system settings. No Administrator was found" error pops up when you try to change the security settings to allow your wiped Mac to start up from an external bootable drive.

You're not alone. Users from forums such as Reddit, Apple Community, MacRumors, and others discussed this issue heatedly.

I formatted the SSD of a Mac and was going to install a new macOS over internet recovery, but get "The recovery server could not be contacted". When I switch to use a bootable USB and would like change security, I received message: Recovery is trying to change system settings. No Administrator was found. - Apple Community

I go to Startup Security Utility to change the settings so to let my 2018 MacBook Pro enable me to install Monterey via an external bootable USB. The normal prompt asking for my admin credentials won't show up, rather it alerts "No Administrator Found." - Reddit

This problem is not difficult to solve. It results from the firmware corruption issue. As it happens, we have feasible solutions for you.

Why does the error 'No administrator was found' occur on Mac

Before diving into the solutions, it is necessary to analyze the 'No administrator was found' error in Startup Security Utility.

Intel Macs from 2018 to 2020 come with the Apple T2 security chip, designed to enhance Mac security. This means these Macs require at least one registered admin account for secure and proper operation. Also, the internal SSD must have a working macOS installed and fully functional.

Thus, if you erase the internal SSD, the macOS files and user data, including user accounts associated with the startup disk, are erased as well. This is why when you change the settings in the Startup Security Utility, it fails to verify the security and gives you the error "Recovery is trying to change system settings. No Administrator was found."

Go to explain what the error "Recovery is trying to change system settings" on Mac means.

How to fix Startup Security Utility no administrator was found error

As unveiled above, the error "No Administrator was found" indicates that your T2-secured Mac is wiped, including your admin account data, so you are unable to change the settings to allow your Mac to boot from an external bootable USB.

Note: If you regret to erase your Mac startup disk and want to recover the lost data, use iBoysoft Mac Recovery Mode. This special mode can help you get files off an unbootable Mac or recover data from an erased internal startup drive within a few clicks.

Thus, you should restore your Mac using the methods below.

Way 1. Reinstall macOS from Internet Recovery Mode

The prior and easiest solution is to reinstall macOS from the Internet Recovery Mode, as the internal SSD is now blank. Internet Recovery Mode allows you to reinstall the last installed or the latest compatible macOS from online Apple servers over the Internet.

Here's how:

Ensure your Wi-Fi is stable and well.

We suggest you connect the Mac to the router with an Ethernet cable for a faster & more reliable network connection. Some users report that they fail to enter Internet Recovery or get error codes in Internet Recovery Mode due to poor network connection.
Click Apple menu > Restart and immediately press Option-Command-R.
Release the keys when you see a spinning globe on the screen.
Select the internal startup volume and click Next.
Enter your admin password if asked.
Select Reinstall macOS [version] from the utilities window.
Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS.

After installation, re-enter macOS Recovery Mode, go to Startup Security Utility, turn off the firmware password, and choose "Allow booting from external or removal media.

Note: If you have issues with Internet Recovery Mode, check if your internet connection is unstable and your way to enter Internet Recovery Mode is incorrect.

Way 2. Perform a DFU firmware restore

If you fail to reinstall macOS or have encountered other issues with Internet Recovery Mode, you may need to perform a firmware revive or restore on the Mac. It requires using another bootable Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma or later.

Reviving or restoring firmware will reset the security enclave chip & system firmware, consequently rescuing your unresponsive and unbootable Mac with a T2 security chip.

Note: Reviving a Mac only updates or repairs the firmware and the recovery OS data without erasing the Macintosh HD volume groups. Conversely, restoring a Mac will erase the startup disk and reinstall macOS.

Since the error "Recovery is trying to change system settings. No Administrator was found. " occurs due to your wiping of the T2 secured Mac, directly choose to restore the Mac's firmware.

Here's how to restore your wiped Mac's firmware:

Prepare another Mac running macOS 14 or later. Turn it on and ensure it is connected to stable internet.
Ensure both Mac devices are charged.
Plug a USB-C to USB-C cable into the DFU port on your unbootable Mac.
Plug the other end of the cable into the USB-C port of another bootable Mac.
On your unbootable Mac, press the power button (Touch ID) for about 10 seconds to fully shut it down.
Press the power button to reboot the unbootable Mac again.
Once you release the power button, immediately hold down the Control-Option-Shift-Power button together until the healthy Mac shows a DFU window in Finder.

Note: If the healthy Mac asks you to allow the accessory to connect first, release all the keys and click Allow.

Now, your unbootable Mac is in DFU mode. (If you have any issues, refer to How to revive or restore Mac firmware) The screen should be blank. Let's move on to restoring it.

In the DFU window on the bootable Mac, select Restore Mac > Restore and Update.
Wait for the restore process to complete. At that time, your unbootable Mac will restart automatically.

If your Mac turns off, press the power button to turn it on.
Choose a network if asked.

Your unbootable Mac will start up from Internet Recovery Mode. A spinning globe will appear on the screen.
Sign in to your previous Apple account and click Exit to Recovery.
Select Reinstall macOS (version) and follow the on-screen guide.
After installation, your Mac will restart and require you to set it up.

Now, your Mac works again. If you still want to boot your Mac from an external bootable drive, enter macOS Recovery Mode to disable the firmware password and choose "Allow booting from external or removal media."

Go tell other Mac users the secret trick to fix the error "No Administrator was found" on Mac.

Way 3. Contact Apple support

If you have trouble using DFU mode to restore your Mac, contact Apple support to resolve the persistent "No Administrator was found" error in Mac Startup Security Utility.

If your Mac is a used one bought from someone else, maybe you should ask for the purchase receipt from your seller.

Our thoughts about the error 'No Administrator was found'

The Startup Security Utility "No Administrator was found" error is usually caused by turning on the firmware password and setting the Mac not to boot from external media before erasing a Mac.

Therefore, when you erase a T2 or Apple silicon Mac, turn off the firmware password and change the settings to allow the Mac to boot from a removable disk. If you are prepared to purchase a second-hand Mac, ask the seller to do so, too.

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