Apple - Are there ways to have Mac OS recognize my password "better"?

If you press the modifier keys (Command, Option, Control, Shift), it will wake the computer but not type anything, so you can press them as many times as you like without messing up your password.

I usually just drum on the modifier keys until I see the password cursor, after having exactly the problem you describe.

Every time you try to enter your password incorrectly, it will reject it and highlight the incorrect try.

Solution

Mash the keyboard (type random charcters) until you see characters appear, hit enter¹ (accepting you will be incorrect), and then type the correct password (which will thus overwrite the highlighted incorrect password).

¹If you prefer not to hit enter (because maybe you have 3rd party software which locks you out after x attempts):

• cmd+delete clears the whole line behind your cursor
• option+ delete clears the whole word behind your cursor

Why this is better than other suggested methods

I find this to be the fastest way to get around MacOS not recognizing when typing starts, because you get immediate feedback on when input begins to be recognized--something you won't get if you just tap one of the modifier keys. You also don't have to needlessly wait extra time if it begins to recognize input quickly--which is what you'd have to do if you always wait 5 seconds after you wake, and before you begin typing, for example.

If the screen is asleep then just tap space bar (once only or the 2nd tap will be the first char of the password); then either wait until the screen wakes fully, or just count to 3, type your password, hit Enter.

It used to work if you shook the mouse first, but these days it's space bar to wake, even if it's just the screen asleep, not actually the computer itself.