Apple iMac, MacBook Tip: How To Use Recovery Mode

Macs have a powerful tool that can be used in the event that something goes wrong and the user can't fix it. This tool is called the Mac Recovery Mode.

Mac Recovery Mode, also known as macOS Recovery, allows users to fix several problems with the Mac. These problems can be issues with the boot drive, or problems with macOS versions installed on the device. It can also be used to prepare the device so it can be sold. Whatever it is, the macOS Recovery feature will be very helpful.

Apple Insider noted that macOS Recovery can be used for the following:

• Run Disk Utility to repair the problematic boot drive
• Erase the boot drive
• Make a problematic Mac run
• Install an older version of macOS to the Mac
• Boot the Mac from an external drive

These features will allow Mac users to fix problems with their Mac.

How to start up macOS Recovery

There are several ways to startup macOS Recovery.

• macOS Utilities panel

First, users can start it up so that it will open a macOS Utilities panel that gives users several tools that allows running the Disk Utility feature; restore the Mac from a Time Machine Backup; reinstall macOS on the device; and get help from Apple's Support website. Here's how to do it:

• Users should first restart (or Shut Down) the Mac
• Users should immediately hold down Command-R once the device restarts (or is powered on)
• Users should release the keys as soon as the Apple logo appears

If this is done correctly, the Mac will boot up from the Recovery HD that the Mac created when the macOS was installed. Instead of showing the user's wallpaper, dock and files on the Desktop, the macOS Utilities panel will be shown on screen.

• Reinstalling the latest macOS version directly

Users can also reinstall macOS without having to access the macOS Utilities panel. This is done by pressing Option-Command-R as soon as the device restarts. Doing this correctly allows the device to reinstall the latest macOS version it supports.

• Reinstalling the base macOS version directly

Those who prefer to reinstall the macOS version that the device came with can press Shift-Option-Command-R as soon as the device restarts. If the original macOS version that the device came with isn't available, the device will reinstall the version closest to it.