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      How to boot into recovery mode on Apple computers

      Boot into recovery mode on Intel and Apple Silicon iMacs and Macbooks

      Prerequisites: iMac or Macbook that will turn on

      Difficulty Level: Member • Nerd • Platypus

      Estimated Time: 5 minutes

      Tools Required: Your Mac device

      Expected Outcome:  Your Mac device will boot to recovery mode

      Screen Shot 2020-03-27 at 5.00.45 PM-1

      For Intel based Macs

      1. Restart your Mac.

      2. Immediately press and hold one of the following key combinations until you see the startup screen:

        • Command-R: 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.

        • Option-Command-R: 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.

        • Option-Shift-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall the version of macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version that’s still available.

      3. If you see a lock, enter the password for your Mac.

      4. If you have multiple volumes on your disk, select the volume you want to recover, then click Next.

      5. If requested, choose an administrator account, click Next, enter the password for the account, then click Continue.

        When the Recovery app appears in the menu bar, you can choose any of the available options in the window or the menu bar.

      For Apple Silicon Macs

      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.

      3. Click Options, then click Continue.

      4. If asked, select a volume to recover, then click Next.

      5. Select an administrator account, then click Next.

      6. Enter the password for the administrator account, then click Continue.

        When the Recovery app appears in the menu bar, you can choose any of the available options in the window or the menu bar.