Starting Your Mac in Internet Recovery Mode
Internet Recovery Mode is a valuable tool for Mac users, allowing you to boot your Mac and access recovery tools directly from Apple's servers. This mode is particularly useful when the built-in recovery partition is damaged or unavailable.
Requirements for Internet Recovery Mode
Before you start, ensure your Mac meets the necessary requirements:
- Hardware: Your Mac must be manufactured from late 2011 onwards and running macOS 10.7 (Lion) or later. For older Macs, certain models can use Internet Recovery after installing OS X Lion or later and a firmware update.
- Network: Your network must use DHCP and WPA/WPA2 security protocols. Avoid networks that require specific proxies, PPPoE without a router, or public Wi-Fi networks that need you to click "agree" to connect.
How to Enter Internet Recovery Mode on Intel-based Macs
For Macs with Intel processors, follow these steps:
- Restart Your Mac: Choose "Restart" from the Apple menu or turn on your Mac if it's off.
- Press Key Combination: Immediately press and hold Command + Option + R or Command + Option + Shift + R when you hear the startup chime or see the startup screen. Hold these keys until you see a globe with the message "Starting Internet Recovery. This may take a while".
- Connect to Wi-Fi: Select a Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password. If you're using Ethernet, you can skip this step.
- Enter Password: If prompted, enter your Mac's password to proceed.
- Access Recovery Tools: Once connected, your Mac will download the necessary files. After the download completes, you'll see the macOS Utilities window, where you can choose to reinstall macOS, restore from a Time Machine backup, or use other tools.
How to Enter Internet Recovery Mode on M1 Macs
For Macs with Apple M1 chips, follow these steps:
- Shut Down Your Mac: Click the Apple icon and select "Shut Down" or use the power button to force shut down your Mac.
- Press and Hold Power Button: Restart your Mac by pressing and holding the power key until you see the "Loading startup options" screen.
- Select Options: Click on "Options" and then "Continue".
- Select Disk Volume: Choose a disk volume and click "Next".
- Enter Administrator Account: Select the administrator account, enter the password, and click "Continue" to enter Recovery Mode.
- Connect to Wi-Fi: Ensure your Mac is connected to Wi-Fi. If not, click the Wi-Fi icon to connect.
Important Considerations
- Power Supply: Ensure your Mac is plugged in, especially if you're using a laptop, to avoid running out of power during the process.
- Keyboard: For Intel-based Macs, use the built-in keyboard as external keyboards may not register the keystrokes correctly.
- Network Stability: A stable internet connection is crucial for the process to complete successfully.
What You Can Do in Internet Recovery Mode
Once in Internet Recovery Mode, you have several options:
- Reinstall macOS: Easily install a new version of macOS or restore your existing operating system.
- Restore from Time Machine: Restore your Mac's contents from a previous Time Machine backup.
- Set the Bootable Disk: If the starting disk is corrupted, you can set a new bootable disk.
- Use Disk Utility: Access Disk Utility to manage and repair your disks.