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macOS Recovery is the built-in recovery system on your Mac. You can use the apps in macOS Recovery to repair your internal storage device, reinstall macOS, restore your files from a Time Machine backup, set security options, and more.
Start up your Intel-based Mac in macOS Recovery
1. Restart your Mac then immediately press and hold one of the following key combinations until you see the startup screen:
- : Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery System. Use this key combination to reinstall the latest macOS that was installed on your system, or to use the other apps in macOS Recovery.
- : Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall macOS and upgrade to the latest version of macOS that’s compatible with your Mac.
2. When the Recovery app appears in the menu bar, you can choose any of the available options in the window or the menu bar.
Start up your Mac with Apple-based processor in macOS Recovery
1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > Shut Down. Wait for your Mac to shut down completely. A Mac is completely shut down when the screen is black, and any lights (including in the Touch Bar) are off.
2. Press and hold the power button on your Mac until Loading startup options appears. Click Options, then click Continue.
3. When the Recovery app appears in the menu bar, you can choose any of the available options in the window or the menu bar.
Apps available in macOS Recovery
- Recovery – Gives you access to more apps in macOS Recovery
- Restore from Time Machine – Restore your data from a Time Machine backup.
- Reinstall the current version of macOS
- Safari – Browse the web if you need information from the Apple Support website
- Disk Utility – Lets you perform various tasks with your hard drive, such as repairing or erasing
- Startup Security Utility – Set the security procedures for your Mac
- Terminal – Carry out various tasks from the command line
- Share Disk – Share the disk of a Mac that has booted into Recovery Mode
- Startup Disk – Set the startup disk for the Mac
