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How to set up and use the Mac Recovery Mode.

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How to Set Up and Use Mac Recovery Mode

Introduction

Mac Recovery Mode is a powerful built-in feature that allows users to troubleshoot and repair various issues with their Mac computers. Whether you need to reinstall macOS, restore from a Time Machine backup, or erase your disk, Mac Recovery Mode has got you covered. This tutorial will guide you through the step-by-step process of setting up and using Mac Recovery Mode.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

  • A Mac computer running macOS Sierra or later.
  • A stable internet connection.
  • Access to an admin account on your Mac.

Set Up Mac Recovery Mode

  1. Start by shutting down your Mac completely.
  2. Press and hold the Command (⌘) + R keys on your keyboard.
  3. Keep holding both keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe icon.
  4. Once you see the startup screen, you can release the keys.
  5. Your Mac will now boot into Recovery Mode.

Using Mac Recovery Mode

1. Restore from Time Machine Backup

If you have a Time Machine backup, you can restore your Mac using Mac Recovery Mode.

  1. In Mac Recovery Mode, click on Restore from Time Machine Backup.
  2. Click Continue.
  3. Select the Time Machine backup source you want to restore from.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your Mac.

2. Reinstall macOS

If you are experiencing issues with your current macOS installation, you can reinstall macOS using Mac Recovery Mode.

  1. In Mac Recovery Mode, click on Reinstall macOS.
  2. Click Continue.
  3. Select your startup disk and click Install.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation process.

3. Erase and Reformat Your Mac

If you want to start from scratch or securely erase your Mac's disk, Mac Recovery Mode allows you to do so.

  1. In Mac Recovery Mode, click on Disk Utility.
  2. Select your startup disk from the list and click Erase.
  3. Choose the desired format (e.g., APFS or Mac OS Extended) and provide a name for your disk.
  4. Click Erase to proceed. Note that this will permanently delete all data on the disk, ensure you have a backup if needed.
  5. Once the erase process is complete, you can quit Disk Utility and proceed with macOS reinstallation or any other necessary steps.

4. Other Utilities

Mac Recovery Mode provides additional utilities to help you diagnose and fix issues with your Mac. Some of these utilities include:

  • Disk Utility: Allows you to repair disk errors and manage partitions.
  • Terminal: Provides a command-line interface for advanced troubleshooting.
  • Firmware Password Utility: Lets you set up a firmware password for added security.

Exiting Mac Recovery Mode

Once you have completed the necessary actions in Mac Recovery Mode, you can exit and restart your Mac normally.

  1. Simply click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
  2. Select Restart to reboot your Mac.
  3. Your Mac will now boot into the regular macOS environment.

Conclusion

Mac Recovery Mode is an invaluable tool for troubleshooting and fixing various issues on your Mac. By following this guide, you have learned how to set up and use Mac Recovery Mode effectively. Whether you need to restore from a Time Machine backup, reinstall macOS, or erase your disk, Mac Recovery Mode provides a comprehensive set of utilities to help you get your Mac back on track.