Apple launched the Apple Silicon M1 Macs this year and it’s known as one of the evolutionary steps made by Apple. Alongside a couple of new features, the M1 Mac comes with a built-in recovery mode for your Mac which is known as macOS recovery. But what actually a recovery mode is? What are the advantages of using it? what are the times when you should use it without thinking twice? And how you can boot M1 mac into macOS recovery? These are the questions that come into a user’s mind who just heard the word macOS recovery.
Now don’t get frustrated if you’re one of them. In this post, we’ll talk about all the essential factors of the macOS recovery mode. Also, we’ll know how it can help you to solve some silly problems related to your mac. Besides, you’ll know how you can boot M1 Mac into macOS recovery.
Let’s get started with what actually this recovery mode is and how helpful it can be?
What is macOS Recovery?
Recovery mode is a particular section of your mac which you can enter only by performing certain actions. After entering the recovery mode you’ll be able to access some advanced tools of your operating system. These macOS recovery tools allow you to perform certain actions and fix some particular problems which you can’t do in the normal boot.
Meanwhile, it could be quite handy to repair some silly disks errors, to restore a Time Machine backup, or to install previous versions of the macOS that you ran on your mac. You can easily boot M1 mac and get the benefits of its valuable features. Most of the time, users use it to troubleshoot problems related to a couple of circumstances. For instance, while installing a new operating system into your Mac.
Today we’ll know about how to boot M1 Mac into macOS recovery but before starting boot M1 mac into the recovery mode let’s know what is the exact usages of macOS recovery. Also, when you should get into this helpful but a little tricky part of your macOS.
Let’s starts with the features first.
Main Features to Use in Boot M1 Mac
However, it has multiple little yet useful features to use in need but you’ll see most of the features roam around only four features. Let’s find out what are these four features and their sub-features and how they can help us in trouble.
Credits: Guidingtech.com
1. Disk Utility
This feature holds all the tools and functions that can help you to attain basic tasks related to your mac disks. Also, this utility works like a cure for your disk problems. Moreover, you can scan your drives to check something malicious or suspicious. After that, you can select verify to make a confirmation. And, this utility also empowered you enough to repair your drives to get rid of these frustrating disk problems.
To know how to Repair your internal disk, you can click here.
2. Time Machine Backup Restoration
Time Machine is an in-built backup software that Apple provides to Mac users. This software copies all the files of your Mac including the operating system you’re using right now and all the settings you’ve applied on that OS. You can use this copy to restore your previous mac’s data. Although, this step will erase the current disk data you’re acquiring right now.
For a detailed guide on how to restore the backup using Time Machine, you can click here.
3. Startup Security Utility:
The startup security utility allows you to set security policies for your mac startup. You can simply choose Utilities > Startup Security Utility in the macOS recovery mode.
You can know how to Set the security policy by clicking here.
4. Terminal
Every intermediate PC user knows the things we can do with the command line isn’t possible by performing normal actions. To see the importance of the command line, Apple added the command software named “Terminal.” You can change multiple settings by giving commands into the Terminal. To enter the Terminal, you can choose Utilities > Terminal.
5. Share Disk
Apple allows you to transfer files using the macOS recovery mode. All you have to do is boot M1 mac, choose Utilities > Share Disk. You can connect both the macs with a USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt cable.
To know a detailed guide on how to transfer files between two Mac computers using Share the disk, click here.
6. Reinstall macOS
Suppose you got a disk error that giving you a hard time while repairing it and you’re feeling like you’d waste your time if you keep doing the same then you can restore a Time Machine backup. Although if it doesn’t work too then you can reinstall a fresh piece of the operating system. This utility helps you to completely get rid of the current OS and its data. Later, you can reinstall the new clean OS through the iCloud or an external storage device. Although you need an active internet connection to reinstall a clean macOS. Moreover, you can use a wired or wireless internet connection to perform this task.
To read a detailed guide on how to reinstall macOS, click here.
7. To getting Online Help
If you’re already tried everything and didn’t find any solution. Also, you don’t want to reinstall macOS, you can use this option. It allows you to use Safari to get online help to fix your computer or internet connection issues.
When You Should Use macOS Recovery
Now you’re acquainted with all the essential points of the macOS recovery. And you might be astonished by the fact that how flawlessly it can troubleshoot any computer issues. But if you’ve never boot M1 Mac before, things might seem a little fishy to you. Also, there is a list of countless errors that are so frustrating. And, after knowing only features you won’t be able to answer questions like- should I use macOS recovery for this problem? or Is a particular problem can actually be solved in the macOS recovery?
Moreover, reading a list of countless technical errors won’t help you either. Therefore I am going to provide you a few points where you can give a chance to the macOS recovery.
To completely wipe your data from a computer or a disk.
When you’re having internet connectivity issues.
To remove all the data and Apple ID from your computer.
To reinstall a previous version of macOS.
When you want to restore a backup from Time Machine backup.
When you’re facing startup failures.
To erase your disk.
To perform a clean macOS installation.
Repair the disk errors that you can’t solve with your computer disk utility software.
To set up the security policy for different disks.
When you want to transfer data from one computer to another.
To start-up in safe mode or macOS recovery mode.
How to Boot M1 Mac Into macOS Recovery
Now you know the benefits of boot M1 mac into macOS recovery. Also, you know the particular situations when you should use macOS recovery. Furthermore, if you see a problem your PC might create and you know recovery mode can solve this, I advised you to stop here and read further.
As you know Apple just launched mac with the M1 chip, it is also confirmed that there are only a few pieces of MacBook with the M1 chip. And the rest of them come with an Intel-based processor. Also, both the processors come with a different guideline to boot into the macOS recovery. Therefore, the first step to boot into macOS recovery should be to identify your mac. Don’t take a load, it’s easy to know what processor your mac using right now. And don’t worry, I’ve also added the steps to boot macOS recovery mode in Intel-based macs.
Let’s identify your mac first.
Identify Mac Computers with Apple Silicon
Just start your mac, click on the Apple logo that you see on the top left side. After that choose the About This Mac or Overview section. Now you’ll be able to see all the details of your mac below.
If you’ll see Apple M1 in the adjacent of Chip, it is confirmed that your mac has equipped with an Apple M1 chip.
Note: If your Mac has an Intel-based processor, it’ll show the word Processor instead of Chip as we see in Mac with Apple M1 chipset.
Moreover, if you know the model or your Mac, you can make a quite accurate guess about its processor. Right now Apple recently launched only three Mac models with M1 processors:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Mac mini (M1, 2020)
Boot M1 Mac Into macOS Recovery
Now, you know the problem your Mac is facing, you know the solution, and now you know that Mac has an M1 chipset. Finally, it’s time to boot M1 Mac into macOS recovery. Just follow the below steps to boot M1 Mac into macOS recovery:
Shut down your Mac by clicking Apple menu > Shut Down.
After turning off the mac press and hold the Power button on your mac until it shows up “Loading startup options”.
Choose the option by clicking on it.
Click on Continue.
Your mac might show up as a pop-up and ask you to enter the password of your administration account. Enter the password and press ok.
Credits: Guidingtech.com
If you’re seeing a utility screen then congratulations, you’re in macOS recovery mode. Now choose the desired option to fix the problem or the reason you boot M1 mac into macOS recovery.
Boot Into macOS Recovery in Intel-based Macs
For me, it was hard to leave Intel-based users just like that. Actually, there’s not much difference in steps between Intel-based macs and M1 chipset based macs to boot macOS recovery mode.
Also, Apple hasn’t changed the process to boot into the recovery mode in Intel-based macs. Moreover, you’ll find the same utility tools and options as you see in M1 macOS recovery mode.
Consequently, there are three different ways to boot into macOS recovery mode. And every way allows you to execute a particular action to your macOS. I’ve mentioned three different guides to access all three ways with the task you can accomplish by using them.
Let’s get into them, one by one.
1. Reinstall the Latest macOS or use the other macOS Recovery Apps
You can use this way to reinstall the latest macOS that was previously installed on your system. Also, this option allows you to use the other macOS recovery apps we mentioned before.
Here’re the steps to boot into macOS recovery in Intel-based users:
First of all, Restart your Mac.
Immediately press and hold the Command(⌘) + R buttons together to boot into macOS recovery mode.
Release the buttons when you see a spinning globe, an Apple logo, or a certain picture on your screen.
2. Reinstall the Latest macOS Compatible with your Mac
Now, this is a slight difference that you should notice. In the previous boot, we’re able to reinstall the latest macOS version that was previously installed into your mac. On the other hand, this boot work over the internet. It automatically downloads and reinstalls the latest macOS version on your system which is compatible with it.
Here’re the steps to boot into second macOS recovery mode in Intel-based users:
First, Restart your Mac.
Immediately press and hold the three-button combination- Option + Command(⌘) + R to enter this macOS recovery mode and to install the latest compatible macOS version into your mac.
Release the buttons when you see a spinning globe, an Apple logo, or a certain picture on your screen.
2. Reinstall the First or the Closet macOS to Your Mac
Well, it’s a little hard to guess why Apple made these three different recovery modes until you really stuck in a weird kind of situation. This recovery mode allows you to reinstall the macOS version that came with your Mac. If it hasn’t the setup it’ll reinstall the closet version of the macOS version that came with your Mac.
Follow these steps to boot into third macOS recovery mode in Intel-based users:
Restart your Mac.
Immediately press and hold these four buttons – Option + Shift + Command(⌘) + R to get into this recovery mode.
Release the buttons when you see a spinning globe, an Apple logo, or a certain picture on your screen.
Note 1: Make sure to select the correct volume you want to recover, especially if you have created multiple volumes on your disk.
Note 2: After showing a spinning globe, an Apple logo, or a certain picture, your mac might ask you to choose an administrator account. Just choose it by clicking Next, enter the administrator account password and click continue.
Note 3: After fixing your problem, you can click on the Applemenu and click Restart or ShutDown to exit the Recovery mode. Also, you can choose a different startup disk from the Apple menu before quitting the recovery mode.
FAQ: Boot M1 Mac
What if you can’t boot M1 Mac into macOS Recovery Mode?
Now after reading this entire post and trying all the above methods if you still can’t boot M1 Mac, don’t feel low. Here is another way you can use to boot M1 Mac. You can follow these steps to force a boot into macOS recovery mode:
Restart your Mac.
Immediately press and hold three buttons together- Option or Alt + Command + R or you can try these four buttons- Shift + Option + Command + R.
Next, you will see a spinning globe and after that, you’ll see the boot options.
What if you’re still not able to boot macOS Recovery Mode?
If you’ve tried all the options and not able to boot macOS recovery mode, then here is another option you can try which is Internet recovery. In this option, you can access the recovery mode using your internet connection.
Here’s igeeksblog explaining how an internet recovery works in their article:
“In this, the computer fetches the requisites for performing the recovery directly from Apple servers.”
This works the same as the macOS recovery mode and you can use it to reinstall macOS, restore a backup, or to fix some disk issues. Also, Internet recovery mode is the option that you can find available in even Macs that got released in 2010 or 2011.
How to boot M1 Mac into macOS Internet Recovery Mode?
Credits: Guidingtech.com
If the inbuilt recovery isn’t working correctly, and you switch on the Mac, it will automatically start recovery via the internet. But if it doesn’t, you can force this as well via the steps below. Although make sure you’re connected to an active internet connection.
Restart your Mac.
Immediately press and hold these three buttons- Command (⌘) + Option + R keys.
Stop holding the keys when you see the spinning globe icon on the screen.
Note: If there is no wired internet connection available you can choose the network manually. Just on Choose Network and then connect to the available Wi-Fi.
If you’re seeing a progress bar under the spinning globe, you’re doing things right. After completing the process it’ll show you the macOS recovery screen with four main options-Restore from Time Machine Backup, Reinstall macOS, Get Help Online, and Disk Utility.
What if Internet Recovery doesn’t work?
Sometimes things happen with us so far. For example, you tried all the guidelines of this post, and still, you can’t boot M1 mac into macOS recovery or the Internet recovery.
When you see the globe icon with an exclamation mark inside of it, it means you can’t access the Internet recovery. Also, you might see some numbers below the globe such as 143. However, there are few simple reasons that you’re not connecting with Internet recovery or it’s getting failed, repeatedly. Here’re some points you should check in this case:
Make sure you’re connected to the internet. And if you can, also confirm what network are you using right now. It should be WPA (Wireless Protected Access), WPA2, or WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) security. Although most of the common places use these networks, still confirmation is good.
Try using an Ethernet cable.
Make sure you’re not connected with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) at the router level.
Try restarting your Mac and immediately press Command + R to see if the built-in recovery system is working well or not.
You can also create a bootable drive if you’re just trying to install macOS.
I successfully did Boot M1 Mac into macOS Recovery Mode? But how I can quit now?
If you’re using macOS recovery mode to restore your system from Time Machine, you’re reinstalling macOS, then your Mac will start automatically. On the other hand, if you’re using it for fixing other issues such as changing a tiny setting in the startup security utility, then you’ve to manually quit from the macOS recovery mode.
Follow one of the below steps to exit from macOS recovery mode:
Choose the Apple menu and click Restart.
Credits: Guidingtech.com
Or
Choose Apple menu.
Click on Startup Disk.
Choose a different startup disk.
Restart your Mac.
Or
Click on Apple Menu.
Choose Shutdown.
Conclusion
Apple has created Apple Silicon and this will bring some revolutionary changes in the future. Well, that’s what we’re expecting. Changing the guidelines to boot M1 Mac into macOS recovery is one of them. Although it’s simple users could end being confused with Intel-based macs and M1-based macs. I put a lot of effort to research this and compiled it all together.
You’ll easily able to boot M1 Mac into macOS recovery alongside the basic information of it. So, you won’t end up being overwhelmed even if you’re new to this recovery thing. Also, I have added more backup options to boot into recovery mode.
Therefore you’ll be able to try another option if the previous one isn’t working. Yes, it’s a little hard to follow but if you’ll follow precisely, you’ll easily be able to boot your M1 mac into recovery mode.
Lastly, I hope this guide will help you to fix your mac problems or will provide you with a good piece of knowledge. And, if it does let’s know in the comments. Share this post with someone who still doesn’t know how to boot M1 Mac into macOS recovery mode.
Jaskaran is a tech enthusiast with a special interest in everything Apple! He manages and writes on igeekfunnel.com where sharing anything and everything related to Apple devices and services is his daily thing to do