How to Start Mac in Recovery Mode? | Step-by-Step Guide

Starting a Mac in Recovery Mode is a powerful troubleshooting step that allows you to repair disks, reinstall macOS, restore from backups, or reset settings, which can address issues like boot failures, corrupted USB drives , or installation problems with macOS Sequoia.

Recovery Mode loads a lightweight macOS environment from a separate partition or the internet, independent of your main system.

Below is a detailed step-by-step guide to start Recovery Mode on both Intel-based and Apple Silicon Macs, tailored to your macOS (e.g., Sequoia).

I’ll also cover variations like Internet Recovery and common uses, linking to your interests in USB recovery, SMC/NVRAM resets, and macOS installations.

What is Recovery Mode?

Purpose: Provides tools to fix macOS issues without a full OS boot.
Features:
Disk Utility: Repair or erase disks (e.g., corrupted USB).
Reinstall macOS: Download and install macOS (e.g., Sequoia) without losing data (if possible).
Time Machine: Restore from backups.
Terminal: Run commands (e.g., reset passwords, clear NVRAM).
Startup Security (Apple Silicon): Adjust security settings.
Types:
Standard Recovery: Uses a local recovery partition (faster, ~500MB).
Internet Recovery: Downloads recovery OS from Apple servers (slower, needs Wi-Fi).

When to Use Recovery Mode

Boot Issues: Mac shows a question mark, prohibitory symbol, or black screen (like your prior macOS installation question).
Disk Problems: Corrupted internal drive or USB (e.g., your formatted USB recovery query).
macOS Installation: Reinstall Sequoia after USB installer fails.
Performance: Slowdowns or crashes not fixed by SMC/NVRAM resets (your recent questions).
Security: Reset passwords, disable FileVault, or change firmware settings.
Data Recovery: Access Terminal to salvage files before erasing.

Step-by-Step Guide to Start Recovery Mode

The process differs between Intel-based Macs and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) Macs due to their boot architectures.

Step 1: Identify Your Mac Model

Check Model:
Apple menu () > About This Mac.
Examples:
- Intel: MacBook Pro (2019, Intel Core i7).
- Apple Silicon: MacBook Air (2023, M2).
Or in Terminal: system_profiler SPHardwareDataType
- Look for “Model Name” and “Chip” (e.g., Intel Core i5 or Apple M4).
Why It Matters: Intel Macs use key combos; Apple Silicon uses a Startup Options menu.

Step 2: Save Work and Shut Down

Close Apps: Save any open files (e.g., recovered USB data from your 4DDiG question).
Shut Down:
Apple menu > Shut Down > Wait 30 seconds until fully off.
If unresponsive (e.g., power issues from your SMC question):
- Intel: Hold power button for 10 seconds.
- Apple Silicon: Hold power button for 20 seconds.

Step 3: Boot into Recovery Mode

Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4: 2020-2025)

Models: MacBook Air (2020-2024), MacBook Pro (2021-2024), Mac mini (2023), iMac (2021+), Mac Studio, Mac Pro (2023).
Steps:

Ensure the Mac is off.
Press and hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears (~10-20 seconds).
- You’ll see a gear icon and disk volumes (e.g., “Macintosh HD”).
Release the power button.
Click Options (gear icon) > Continue.
If prompted, select a user with admin privileges > Enter password > Click Next.
The Recovery Mode screen loads with utilities: Disk Utility, Reinstall macOS Sequoia, Restore from Time Machine, Terminal, etc.

Time: ~30 seconds to load (faster with a local recovery partition).

Intel-Based Macs (Pre-2020)

Models: MacBook Pro (2006-2020), MacBook Air (2008-2020), iMac (2006-2020), Mac mini (2006-2018).
Steps:

Ensure the Mac is off.
Press the power button to start.
Immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + R.
- Hold until the Apple logo or loading bar appears (~10-20 seconds).
Release the keys.
If prompted, select a Wi-Fi network (for Internet Recovery fallback).
Enter an admin password if FileVault is enabled.
The Recovery Mode screen appears with the same utilities as above.

Time: ~30-60 seconds (longer if it falls back to Internet Recovery).

Special Case: Macs with T2 Chip (Intel, 2018-2020)

Models: MacBook Pro (2018-2020), MacBook Air (2018-2020), iMac (2020), Mac mini (2018).
Steps: Identical to Intel Macs:

Shut down.
Press power button, then hold Command + R until the Apple logo.
Select admin user/password if prompted.

Note: T2 Macs may require SMC/NVRAM resets first (your prior questions) if boot issues persist.

Step 4: Use Recovery Mode Tools

Disk Utility:
Select your internal drive (e.g., “Macintosh HD”) or USB (e.g., “SanDisk 16GB” from your recovery question).
Click First Aid to repair file system errors.
If corrupted, erase as APFS (or Mac OS Extended for older Macs) > Reinstall macOS.
Reinstall macOS Sequoia:
Choose Reinstall macOS Sequoia > Continue.
Follow prompts to download (~12GB, needs internet) and install without erasing data (unless you erased the disk).
Use your Sequoia USB installer (from your prior question) if offline:
- Shut down, insert USB, boot with Option (⌥), select “Install macOS Sequoia.”
Restore from Time Machine:
Select a backup to restore files/settings.
Terminal:
Reset NVRAM manually (your recent question):
nvram -c reboot
Reset password:
resetpassword
Startup Security Utility (Apple Silicon):
Adjust Secure Boot or external boot settings (e.g., for USB installers).

Step 5: Exit Recovery Mode

Restart:
Click Apple menu (top-left) > Restart.
Or select Shut Down to power off.
Boot Normally:
If no startup disk is set, hold Option (⌥) and choose “Macintosh HD.”
Verify Fix:
Check if the original issue (e.g., boot failure, USB not mounting) is resolved.
For USB recovery, reinsert and check Finder or Disk Utility.

Step 6: Try Internet Recovery (If Standard Recovery Fails)

Why: No local recovery partition (e.g., erased drive, failed macOS install like your black screen issue).
Apple Silicon:

Shut down.
Hold power button until “Loading startup options.”
Click Options > Connect to Wi-Fi > Continue.
If it fails, macOS defaults to Internet Recovery (shows a globe).

Intel:

Shut down.
Press power button, then hold Command + Option + R.
Release when a globe or “Starting Internet Recovery” appears.
Connect to Wi-Fi when prompted.

Details:
Downloads recovery OS (~1GB, takes 5-20 minutes on fast Wi-Fi).
Loads same utilities but reinstalls the Mac’s original macOS (e.g., Monterey for a 2021 Mac) unless you specify Sequoia via USB.
Note: Slower than standard Recovery—ensure a stable connection.

Troubleshooting

Recovery Mode Won’t Load:
Intel: Ensure Command + R is pressed immediately (within 1-2 seconds). Retry with Command + Option + R for Internet Recovery.
Apple Silicon: Hold power button longer (~20 seconds) if no options appear.
Check keyboard (use a wired USB keyboard if built-in fails).
Black Screen or Error (Your Prior Question):
Try Internet Recovery (globe indicates it’s working).
Reset SMC/NVRAM first (your recent questions):
- SMC: Power cycle (Apple Silicon) or key combo (Intel).
- NVRAM: Command + Option + P + R (Intel) or nvram -c in Recovery.
If it persists, use your Sequoia USB installer (Option boot).
USB Not Detected (Your Recovery Context):
In Disk Utility (Recovery), check if the USB appears.
Run: diskutil list
- Mount manually: diskutil mountDisk /dev/diskX (replace X with USB’s number).
If unreadable, use 4DDiG (your prior question) post-Recovery.
Wi-Fi Issues (Internet Recovery):
Select a 2.4GHz network for stability.
Use Ethernet if available (via USB-C adapter).
“No admin user” Prompt:
Enter any admin account password.
If forgotten, use Terminal’s resetpassword command.

Sources: Based on Apple’s support docs (support.apple.com/ens), MacRumors guides, and user reports, verified for macOS Sequoia and 2025 Macs.