Believe that you don't search for "macOS Recovery Mode" out of curiosity, but because something is already wrong with your Mac.
- Your Mac won't start.
- It's stuck on the Apple logo.
- It gets stuck on the login screen.
- An update failed.
- Or you're about to reinstall macOS, but you're worried about your data.
This guide is written for that moment.
Before we show you how to start Mac in Recovery Mode, we'll help you understand what it can safely do, what it cannot do, and when you should stop before things get worse.
First, identify your situation
You're likely here because one of these applies:
- Your Mac won't boot up normally
- It keeps restarting or freezes during startup
- You want to reinstall macOS to fix system issues
- You're afraid of losing files during repair or reinstallation
macOS Recovery Mode is powerful, but it's not risk-free. Using it in the wrong way can cause permanent data loss permanently or your Mac will never boot up again.
Let's make sure you use it correctly.
What macOS Recovery Mode can and cannot do
✅ What Mac Recovery Mode can do safely
- Reinstall macOS without erasing your data (in many cases)
- Run Disk Utility's First Aid to check disk errors
- Restore your system from a Time Machine backup
- Access Terminal for advanced troubleshooting
❌ What Mac Recovery Mode cannot do
- It does not let you browse or recover personal files directly
- It does not guarantee data safety if the disk is damaged
- It does not reverse disk erasure once it happens
- It does not repair a Mac that has hardware damage
If your data is more important than fixing macOS, your next steps matter a lot.
Critical warning: irreversible actions in macOS Recovery Mode
Some options in Mac Recovery Mode cannot be undone.
You should pause immediately if you see or consider:
- Erase Disk in Disk Utility
- Reinstalling macOS after erasing the startup disk
- Repeated repair attempts after disk errors worsen
Once a disk is erased or overwritten, data recovery becomes far less likely.
If you're unsure, it's safer to stop than to guess.
How to start a Mac in Recovery Mode
Once you understand the risks above, you can now boot your Mac in Recovery Mode.
On Apple Silicon Macs (M1 / M2 / M3 / M4 / M5)
- Shut down your Mac completely.
- Press and hold the Power button (Touch ID).
- Release when Startup Options appears.
- Click Options > Continue.
- Enter your admin name and password in the prompt.
- You should see macOS Utilities.
On Intel-based Macs
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately press Command (⌘) + R together.
- Hold the keys until the Apple logo or spinning globe appears.
- If asked, enter your admin name and password.
- You should see macOS Utilities.
If you can't enter macOS Recovery Mode
This is more common than most guides admit.
You may experience:
- Keyboard shortcuts not working
- Endless loading screen
- Internet Recovery failing
- Mac restarting repeatedly
- Mac starts in normal mode
To solve the Mac Recovery Mode not working issue, you can try these fixes.
Try a different key combination
Maybe Command + R is not working. Apart from using this key combination to boot your Intel-based Mac into macOS Recovery Mode, you can use other shortcut keys.
- Command + R: Allow your Mac to start from the built-in macOS Recovery. And if you prepare to reinstall macOS in Recovery mode, it offers the version of macOS that your Mac is using.
- Option/Alt + Command + R: Boot your Mac in Internet Recovery Mode. But the precaution is that your Mac is connected to the internet well. If you wanna reinstall macOS in Recovery Mode, it will supply the latest version of macOS that is compatible with your Mac, such as macOS Thaoe.
- Shift + Option/Alt + Command + R: Hold down these shortcut keys while pressing down the power button with a good internet connection, and your Mac will enter Internet Recovery. The macOS version that you'll reinstall came with or is closest to your Mac.
Check your internet connection
Turn off and then on your router, change to another Wi-Fi, or turn off the current Wi-Fi and then turn it on.
Identify your Mac model
The steps to enter Recovery Mode differ between Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon Macs. Make sure you follow the correct method for your Mac.
For an Apple Silicon Mac, it can auto-boot into Internet Recovery when macOS Recovery is not working. If it still fails, you can start the Mac into Fallback Recovery OS, the second copy of macOS Recovery.
If Recovery Mode itself doesn't load, repeating the same steps usually won't help.
At this point, continued attempts can increase system instability or disk wear.
macOS Recovery Mode ≠ data recovery: the reality you should know
This is where many guides are misleading.
Important facts:
- macOS Recovery Mode is not a data recovery environment
- Your files may still exist even if macOS won't boot
- Recovery success depends on:
- Whether the disk was erased
- Whether new data was written
- The health of the file system
If Disk Utility First Aid fails to repair the startup disk and you don't have a Time Machine backup, your priority should shift from "fixing macOS" to protecting recoverable data.
When to stop fixing in Recovery Mode and consider data recovery instead
You should stop system repair attempts if:
- Your Mac still cannot boot into macOS after the repair in Recovery Mode
- Disk Utility reports errors that Recovery Mode can't fix
- You have no usable Time Machine backup
- Your files matter more than reinstalling the OS
At this stage, continuing system repairs may reduce data recovery chances.
You can use a professional and reliable data recovery tool like iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to get files off your Mac.
This tool enables you to recover data from an unbootable Mac without using a bootable macOS USB installer.
Here's the complete guide: How to Run iBoysoft Data Recovery Software in macOS Recovery Mode
What to do after entering macOS Recovery Mode
After entering Recovery Mode on your Mac, your next action depends on your goal:
- Fix macOS → Reinstall without erasing (only if disk is healthy)
- Restore files → Use backups or dedicated recovery tools
- Unsure → Pause before making irreversible changes
Recovery Mode is a tool - not a solution by itself. What you'll get depends on how you use it.
Pro Tips: What to do when Mac Recovery Mode fails
From the iBoysoft Lab: Insights from 15+ Mac Stress Tests. In our hands-on testing across a spectrum of devices—from the legacy Intel iMacs to the latest M5 MacBook Pro - we've identified several "undocumented" quirks that often cause Recovery Mode to fail.
The Peripheral Delay: If you are using a third-party Bluetooth keyboard, the Bluetooth driver may not initialize early enough to catch the Command + R signal. Pro Tip: Always keep a USB wired keyboard handy for Intel Macs to ensure 100% signal reliability during the boot chime.
Power-State Sensitivity: On Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4/M5) MacBooks, the "Loading Startup Options" screen may fail to trigger if the battery is below 10% and not connected to a power source. We recommend plugging in your MagSafe/USB-C charger before attempting entry.
The "Long Press" Nuance: Many users let go of the Power button too early on M-series Macs. You must hold it for a full 10–15 seconds until the screen explicitly says "Loading startup options." Letting go a second too early will result in a standard macOS login.
Final Thoughts
macOS Recovery Mode is designed to help, but it assumes you already know what you're doing - troubleshoot Mac's unbootable issues, reinstall macOS, or recover data.
If this is your first time dealing with Mac startup failure, taking time to understand the risks can make the difference between a recoverable situation and permanent data loss.
When you are in doubt, we suggest you protect data first, fix the system second.
Here's a video that explains in detail what macOS Recovery Mode on Mac is. Watch it now to learn more.
This guide explains how to get out of Recovery Mode on Mac the usual way and the solutions to fix your Mac stuck in Recovery Mode.
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FAQ about macOS Recovery Mode
- QWhat is macOS Recovery Mode used for?
-
A
macOS Recovery Mode allows you to reinstall macOS, repair disks, restore from Time Machine, and troubleshoot startup issues when macOS cannot boot normally.
- QDoes macOS Recovery Mode delete data?
-
A
Not automatically. Reinstalling macOS usually keeps your files intact. However, erasing the disk or certain repair failures can permanently delete data.
- QCan I recover files directly in Recovery Mode?
-
A
No. Recovery Mode does not provide direct access to personal files. Data recovery requires backups or specialized recovery tools.
- QWhy can't I enter macOS Recovery Mode?
-
A
Possible reasons include keyboard issues, firmware problems, failed updates, or hardware faults. Repeating the same steps may not help.
- QShould I reinstall macOS if my Mac won't boot?
-
A
Only if disk checks pass and your data is backed up. If data matters and backups are missing, reinstalling macOS may reduce recovery chances.
- QIs Recovery Mode different on M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 Macs?
-
A
Yes. Apple Silicon Macs use the Power button instead of keyboard shortcuts to access Recovery Mode.
Jenny Zeng
Jocelyn Huang
Eudora Liu