This guide is for employees. It explains how to link your Mac to your Factorial IT account so you can unlock it by signing in with Factorial IT.
Feature/Functionality
Overview
Once your IT team turns the feature on, you register your Mac once with your Factorial IT account. After that, you can unlock your Mac with that account at the lock screen.
You need macOS 27 or later, and an internet connection for the first sign-in. If your Mac never asks you to register, contact your IT team.
How to use
Register your Mac
- When your IT team switches the feature on, a Registration required notification appears. Click it. If you missed it, go to System Settings > Users & Groups and start the registration there.
- A sign-in window opens. Type your work email, then your Factorial IT password or the code sent to your inbox. If your company allows it, click Google or Microsoft instead.
- The window closes when registration is complete. To check, open System Settings > Users & Groups: your account now shows as registered.
If you used your Factorial IT password, that password is now your Mac password as well.
Sign in to your Mac
- At the lock screen: click Sign in with Factorial IT and sign in the same way you did when registering. Your Mac password and Touch ID still work.
- Every few days: your Mac asks you to sign in with Factorial IT again, even if it is already unlocked. Your IT team decides how often.
- Without internet: your Mac password still unlocks the Mac offline, for a number of days set by your IT team.
Tips and Best Practices
- Do the first sign-in while online. Registration needs an internet connection.
- Remember your Mac password. It is your way in when you are offline or when signing in with Factorial IT fails.
- Expect Google and Microsoft to ask every time. That is normal and confirms it is really you.
- After changing your Factorial IT password, sign in once with it on your Mac. That keeps both passwords in step.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Troubleshooting
- Your Mac never asks you to register. Contact your IT team.
- Your Mac shows "Sign-in site not allowed". The Mac has blocked one of the sign-in pages. Unlock it with your Mac password and contact your IT team.
- Sign-in fails just after you type your password. Your Factorial IT password may not match the password rules on your Mac. Unlock with your Mac password and contact your IT team.
FAQ
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Does signing in with Factorial IT change my Mac password?
Yes, if you sign in with your Factorial IT password: it becomes your Mac password. Signing in with Google or Microsoft leaves your Mac password as it is.
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Why do Google and Microsoft ask for my account every single time?
The sign-in window that macOS opens does not remember earlier sign-ins. Each one starts fresh, including two-step verification. This confirms that the person unlocking the Mac is you.
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I changed my Factorial IT password. What happens to my Mac password?
Your Mac keeps the old one until you next sign in with Factorial IT on it. From that sign-in, your new Factorial IT password is also your Mac password.
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Who do I contact when something goes wrong?
Your IT team. Factorial IT support only helps company administrators.