Thanks to Apple’s commitment to providing secure and reliable devices, Macs are one of the best computers you’ll ever get. Unlike other makes, you can comfortably rely on Apple to execute your everyday tasks without the risk of running into system errors.
However, no device is entirely immune to issues that aren’t easy to fix. MacBooks aren’t foolproof against system issues and daily usage problems either. Some of these issues could be simple or complex, requiring you to rely on Apple’s built-in tools.
When your Mac runs into a system error or bug, one solution you can turn to is starting in the Recovery mode. In this article, we’ll explore ways you can use the Recovery mode on Mac, when you should use it, and how you can use it to eliminate a wide range of potential problems.
Table Of Contents
What is the Mac recovery mode?
The Mac Recovery Mode is a built-in program utility that you can use to troubleshoot system errors, bugs, and daily usage problems on your Mac. As the name suggests, the macOS recovery mode is designed to fix your Mac and ensure complete recovery.
When you reboot your Mac in recovery mode, you’ll be directed to a menu to access various utilities to fix the underlying issues. It loads from a system partition that stores the backup macOS installation wizard with a recovery disk image
This allows you to use it before macOS starts, ensuring you troubleshoot and fix problems, even if you can’t boot into the operating system or when all other methods fail. Overall, it’s a valuable tool that you can use to:
1. Wipe and factory reset your Mac
Recovery Mode provides a lifeline when your Mac experiences constant system issues. While factory resetting is considered the resort, it proves beneficial in resolving severe problems that you can’t otherwise resolve with simple settings.
Factory resetting in recovery mode also serves well when you want to give away your Mac permanently. You can use it to erase all the data and protect your privacy.
Also, downgrading macOS often necessitates clearing your Mac’s hard drive through Recovery Mode as a preliminary step.
2. Restore from Time Machine backup.
Using Time Machine, integrated into macOS, enables scheduled or manual backups to protect your Mac. Recovery Mode seamlessly facilitates the restoration of your Mac using a Time Machine backup.
This feature not only reverts your Mac to a functional state but also aids in recovering accidentally deleted files. Below are steps to follow when restoring from a Time Machine Backup in recovery mode:
- Restart your Mac in recovery mode. That is, Press the Command + R keys until the machine boots into recovery mode.
- Release the keys when an Apple logo appears and choose Restore from a Time Machine backup.
- Click next or continue using the recovery mode. Enter the credentials you use to connect to your backup disk when asked to.
- Choose a Backup by date and click Continue to follow on-screen instructions.
After you restore your macOS, Time Machine will perform a full backup at the next scheduled time.
3. Use Disk Utility for drive management
Disk Utility in macOS is an essential tool that lets you manage all the internal and external storage devices. In Recovery Mode, Disk Utility offers comprehensive drive management similar to the macOS environment.
You can use it to check and fix disk drive errors related to formatting. It helps wipe hard drives, create or remove partitions, and even change disk drive formats.
If one of your files on your Mac is corrupted or you have an external device that doesn’t work correctly, turn to Disk Utility in the recovery mode to help fix the issues.
4. Utilize the Terminal Command Line
Over time, you’ll experience issues on your Mac that require advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics techniques that you can only access through the Terminal in the Recovery Mode.
The Terminal command-line interface has advanced functionalities and alterations that are not typically accessible. In Recovery Mode, Terminal proves invaluable for troubleshooting severe Mac issues and resetting login passwords.
To access Terminal in macOS Recovery:
- Boot into Recovery Mode.
- Click on Utilities in the menu bar.
- Choose Terminal.
5. View recovery logs
The Recovery log on your Mac offers insights into system operations. Accessible through Window > Recovery Log allows filtering, text search, and even saving logs to files. This helps you troubleshoot Mac problems and seek assistance.
Other ways in which the Recovery Mode on Mac can be helpful include:
- Internet access: Recovery Mode ensures connectivity to the internet, which is essential for downloading recovery files to reinstall the operating system in some macOS versions.
- Find help through Safari: Restarting your Mac in Recovery mode will load up the Safari web browser, allowing you to access the Apple Support website for possible solutions.
Overall, harnessing the diverse capabilities of Recovery Mode in Mac helps to diagnose, troubleshoot, and restore systems efficiently. This will, in turn, ensure optimal functionality of your device and data security.
How to start the Recovery Mode on Mac
Keeping your Mac in top shape requires you to adhere to basic practices, such as maintaining good digital hygiene and knowing when to check Mac for virus. You can keep an eye on your Mac with the help of the recovery mode in macOS.
Among other uses, the recovery mode on Mac is a valuable recovery assistant to help you with various tasks. But before that, you need to know how to start it, depending on your Mac model.
Using Recovery mode on Intel Macs
Restarting your intel-based Mac in the recovery mode can help set various security options for your device. Here are the steps to follow if you need to start Recovery Mode on a Mac with an Intel processor:
- Click on Apple logo.
- Choose Restart.
- Immediately hold down the Command + R keys until you see an Apple logo.
Your Mac will try to start macOS Recovery, eventually showing all the Recovery Mode Utilities windows.
Using Recovery Mode on M1 Mac
On an M1 Mac, you can rely on the recovery mode in macOS to transfer files between two Macs and set a security policy for the available disks on your device. Let’s take a look at how to get there:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Press the Power button and hold it. Release it when you see startup options on your Screen.
- Proceed to select options and then click on continue.
This will open up the Recovery mode on your Mac.
How to Open Recovery mode on a Mac using keyboard shortcuts
You can use multiple keyboard shortcuts on your Mac to boot it into recovery mode. This involves different key combinations, depending on what you want to achieve with the macOS recovery.
1. Command + R
This shortcut installs the latest macOS version previously installed on your Mac. It will only upgrade to a newer version if you’ve already performed an update.
If you’re giving away your Mac running OS X El Capitan or earlier, the Command + R shortcut will ensure a clean installation, unlinking it from your Apple ID.
2. Option/Alt + Command + R
This shortcut combination is best utilized to upgrade to the latest macOS version compatible with your specific Mac model.
3. Shift + Option + Command + R
This sequence and the key combination will install either the original macOS version that came with your Mac or the nearest available version if the original isn’t downloadable.
These keyboard shortcuts provide convenient pathways to access Recovery Mode, allowing you to perform essential tasks like reinstalling macOS, upgrading to the latest version, or restoring the original macOS associated with your Mac.
When should you boot your Mac into recovery mode?
If you were wondering why booting into Recovery Mode is advantageous, here’s a breakdown of when and why you might find it invaluable:
- If you plan to sell your Mac: Selling your Mac to another person often requires you to erase all your data for privacy and security reasons. You can resort to rebooting in Recovery Mode to wipe clean everything before handing it over to the new owner.
- Troubleshooting Issues: Besides rebooting your device safely, you can turn to the Recovery Mode to boot, diagnose, and resolve various system issues troubling your Mac.
- Disk utility needs: If your Mac’s hard drive encounters problems, accessing Recovery Mode allows you to use Disk Utility for necessary repairs, ensuring the smooth functioning of your storage device.
Final thoughts
Utilizing Recovery Mode offers many benefits, whether for system maintenance, troubleshooting, or preparing your Mac for a smooth transition to a new user.
Remember that loading up the macOS Recovery mode on your Mac means you’re having difficulties getting your device to function correctly. That’s why you should seek further help whenever the Recovery mode doesn’t work on your device.