In the event of a serious problem with your Mac, you may demand to reinstall your Mac operating system. In that location's a simple way to exercise this using your Mac Recovery sectionalisation or via Mac Cyberspace Recovery. Y'all tin access the Recovery style via the keyboard combination Command + R on an Intel Mac (the process on an M1 Mac is slightly different equally nosotros will discuss below).

But what do you do if Mac recovery style isn't working or Control + R doesn't work?

We'll wait at the best solutions to these problems below. If you lot want to learn how to reinstall Mac Bone using Recovery Way we cover that in a split article (via the link to a higher place).

What is Mac Recovery?

A quick word on what Mac Recovery style tin do and how it works.

Most people don't really retrieve almost their hard drives (well, SSD these days) in terms of partitions. They just encounter the whole bulldoze as one thing. A hard drive is typically a single volume, just it is then split upward into multiple areas, known equally partitions or volumes. Think of your hard drive equally the house, and the partitions as different rooms. (Read: How to sectionalization a Mac difficult drive or SSD, or create a APFS volume for more information.)

You're used to only seeing one room in the house, the one which has your Desktop, Folders and Applications. But there are really four partitions, and one is used in extreme cases where you may desire to completely reinstall the operating system macOS (or Mac OS 10 on really old Macs).

Fifty-fifty if you completely wipe your Mac, and first again from scratch, the Recovery segmentation should withal be there to make it possible to reinstall macOS, restore from your Time Machine backup, and repair or erase your hard disk. We await in item at what you tin can practice in Recovery mode hither.

It'due south a trouble if y'all need to reinstall the operating organization from scratch and the Recovery segmentation is missing or for some reason yous can't access. A trouble, simply luckily there are solutions bachelor.

Back in the days before Mac OS Ten Lion launched in 2011 in that location wasn't a Recovery sectionalization, instead yous needed to have a physical disc with the software on it and an optical drive to insert it into. These days it'due south rare to find a Mac with a optical bulldoze, let alone find someone who has their original discs - non that Macs have shipped with install discs in recent times. We'll look at what to do if yous fit into this category afterwards in this article.

Why is Command R not working?

There are a few reasons why y'all might find that Command + R doesn't work and your Mac won't outset up in Recovery Mode:

  • Number 1 reason correct now is that your Mac is a M1 Mac - one of the new Macs introduced since November 2020 which uses one of Apple'southward new processors rather than Intel. If that sounds like you at that place is a new way to enter Recovery on an M1 Mac. We cover this in new ways to practice things on M1 Macs, merely we'll also hash out it below.
  • If your Mac is really old - equally in then old it's running Mac Os Ten Snowfall Leopard or older - it will not have a Recovery sectionalization, the only way to reinstall the Bone is to use the discs that shipped with the Mac. We'll wait at what to do in that example later.
  • If your Mac is running a version of macOS older than Sierra (which launched in 2016) then y'all won't have all the Recovery options available that y'all may accept heard of.
  • The keyboard might exist faulty or your Mac may non connect to it via Bluetooth - in which case, try using some other - we advise i that plugs in straight.
  • Something might accept corrupted your Recovery partition, or y'all might accept deleted it while replacing your hard bulldoze, or installing Windows via Boot Camp.

M1 Mac

How to enter Recovery when Control+R doesn't work

Follow these steps to find out why Recovery mode isn't working for you.

Step 1: Try once more

The first affair to try is to restart your Mac and press Command and R again as you lot kick upwardly. It may work the 2d time.

Step 2: Check your keyboard

You may likewise want to cheque your keyboard (especially if it'south a Bluetooth keyboard). Try using a wired keyboard if possible. Perhaps you tin can't enter Recovery because your keyboard isn't working.

Step 3: Brand sure you are using the correct Recovery command on an M1 Mac

You may as well be using the wrong command for your Mac. If yous have an M1 Mac and so you lot should follow these steps to outset in Recovery mode:

How to enter Recovery on an M1 Mac:

  1. Plough off the Mac.
  2. Press the on button - and keep information technology pressed.
  3. When the Apple logo appears text volition appear informing you that if you keep holding the ability button you will exist able to access startup options.
  4. Eventually you will be able to select Options > Go along and this volition open upward Recovery.

If Recovery way isn't working on your M1 Mac then effort 'fallback recovery mode'. This is a new feature for M1 Macs (detailed by Apple here). It esseicnally replaces the Internet Recovery option institute on Intel Macs.

To enter Fallback Recovery Mode on an M1 Mac you need to:

  • Double printing the power button: get-go press it, release, and then press and hold downward the power button.

This gives you access to a second re-create of the recoveryOS.

Step four: Try alternative Recovery options for Intel Macs

At that place are a few other means yous might be able to force your Mac to start up in recovery way if Command + R isn't working for you. Apple has a couple of other commands that you could endeavour:

You lot could employ Internet Recovery Mode - an option that nosotros will discuss in more detail beneath. This method volition download a version of macOS from the cyberspace, which might be a solution if you lot can't access the Recovery partitioning on your Mac. We discuss Internet Recovery Mode in more detail in a section below.

  • Press Option/Alt + Command + R when you kicking up to enter Net Recovery Mode.

One time you enter this way yous will be able to access an Apple server to download the version of macOS. This will be the latest macOS compatible with your Mac. Notation: If you lot aren't running Sierra 10.12.4 of later, this will install the version that came with your Mac.

If you don't want to install the latest version of macOS attempt this:

  • Shift + Pick/Alt + Command R (if you lot are running Sierra 10.12.four of after) will install the version of macOS that came with your Mac, or the one closest to information technology that is still available.

Note that if your Mac has a T2 chip there may be a simple reason why Command + R isn't working for you. In that case:

  • Option/Alt + Command + R will install the latest macOS on your Mac if you accept a T2 chip.

What to do if Mac recovery mode isn't working

Maybe you have tried the above and had no luck. Or maybe you got into Recovery Mode only for everything to freeze up.

Perchance your Mac's disc is across repair and Recovery Manner inaccessible. In that instance our commodity about How to recover data from a damaged Mac might be helpful. For ways to check whether your Recovery partition is broken or missing leap to this section below.

There are some other options to try before you lot attempt to fix your Recovery partition though. Nosotros explain how to use Internet Recovery on Intel Macs and Fallback Recovery on M1 Macs next. We also run through how to install macOS from a bootable USB stick below and in a dissever article here: How to create a bootable USB macOS installer.

How to apply Cyberspace Recovery to reinstall macOS (Intel Macs)

How to restore a Mac without a recovery partition: Internet recovery

Here'southward what to do if you oasis't got a recovery partition on your Mac and demand to reinstall macOS (in fact, even if yous don't need to reinstall macOS you probably should, considering a missing Recovery Sectionalization is not a skillful sign).

The start approach is to utilize a feature called Cyberspace Recovery. Newer Macs are able to kick directly from an internet connection, even with no Recovery sectionalization available. Here is how to use macOS Internet Recovery:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Hold downwards Command-Option/Alt-R and press the Ability button. (On some Mac keyboards the Option central will exist named Alt).
  3. Hold down those keys until you a spinning earth and the message "Starting Net Recovery. This may take a while".
  4. The message will be replaced with a progress bar. Wait for it to fill up. Await it to have a while...
  5. Wait for the MacOS Utilities screen to announced.
  6. Click Reinstall macOS and follow the installation process.

If you have accessed Net Recovery fashion it might be a very slow process depending on your connection speed. When we experienced this problem we connected our Mac to the hub via an Ethernet cable (you may need an adapter, such equally this Thunderbolt to Ethernet Adapter from Apple, £29/$29).

How to employ Fallback Recovery to reinstall macOS (M1 Macs)

If in that location is a trouble with Recovery Fashion on the M1 Mac in that location is a new 'fallback Recovery way', that is detailed by Apple here. In this case you double printing the ability push: starting time press information technology, release, then press and hold down the power push button.

Fallback recovery mode accesses a second re-create of the recoveryOS on the SSD of the Macs with M1 Chip. Apple says the second copy is there for resiliency.

On M1:

  1. Shut downwards your Mac.
  2. Press and concord the Ability button and wait while your Mac starts upwards.
  3. Eventually you lot volition see the Apple tree Logo. In one case a "Loading Startup Options" message appears you can let go of the Power push.
  4. Now click on Options.
  5. This will have you to the Recovery Mode.
  6. Choose your language and click on Next.
  7. Wait for the cyberspace recovery screen to load.

How to restore a Mac with no Recovery partition

It is possible to restore a Mac without a recovery partition, but information technology tin can be tricky (especially on older Macs). You have a few approaches available:

  • Use Net Recovery to reinstall macOS on an Intel Mac with a missing recovery partition. Jump to this section to find out how to do that.
  • Create a bootable macOS installer to install a copy of macOS from.
  • Use your Fourth dimension Machine backup equally your start-up drive.
  • You may also be able to create a Recovery partition, we wait at how to practice that here: How to create a Recovery partition on Mac.

We're going to look at these options beneath - just start, a quick explanation of what a recovery partition is.

How to cheque if your Recovery partition is working

Recovery Mode macOS

First you should check that your Mac definitely hasn't got a working Recovery segmentation. It'due south possible that you take been using the wrong key combination, or that your keyboard wasn't working, for example.

As above, you need to follow the usual method to achieve Recovery Mode. So, on an Intel Mac press Command + R, and on an Intel Mac press On and continue it pressed until y'all see Option.

Withal, despite pressing these key combinations the Mac boots upwards to your normal view, or you lot're faced with a completely blank screen, then y'all oasis't got a Recovery partition.

If your Mac does boot into macOS so you can at least check Terminal to see if you have a recovery partition, here's how to do that:

  1. Open up Terminal.
  2. Enter diskutil list.

You should run across a listing of all the volumes and partitions on your figurer. The beginning drive (/dev/disk0) should have a sectionalisation (typically listed every bit "iii" with Apple_Boot Recovery Hard disk after it). Endeavor using the Command-R procedure once more.

You could also these tips to see if information technology makes your Recovery partition miraculously appear.

  • Reset your PRAM or NVRAM: If you have an Intel Mac you could shut down your Mac and concur down Command-Selection-P-R during boot. Wait for the chimes and let get. (This isn't really an selection on M1 Macs though, NVRAM does exist in M1 Macs, but it'south not the same - we practice discuss how to reset it here though if you desire to try: How to reset NVRAM on an M1 or Intel Mac).

Okay, so either your Recovery Division is missing, or doesn't piece of work and you've tried everything. So it's time to look at reinstalling macOS without it. Starting time, if information technology's an selection here, you should take fourth dimension to dorsum up upwardly your Mac using Time Machine. This will enable you to restore all your files, folders and apps in one case you've reinstalled macOS.

Create a macOS bootable installer on a flash drive

Terminal createinstallmedia

If y'all can't access Internet Recovery, then you are left with the option to create a bootable installer from a flash drive (at least 12GB in size). Note that this completely erases the USB flash drive, so exist conscientious to remove any files from information technology offset. We embrace how to create a bootable installer for macOS here, but we'll give an overview of the method below.

The simplest way to create a USB flash installer it to use Terminal:

Open your Applications folder and look to run across if you have the Install files for the version of macOS or Mac OS X you require. In the case of Sierra or Loftier Sierra you''ll see: something like this, for case.

Install files for macOS

If yous don't have the files read about how to go older versions of macOS or Mac Os X here.

When you accept got concur of the installer for the version of macOS that you require, follow these steps:

  1. Attach your USB wink drive to your Mac.
  2. Open Deejay Utility.
  3. Select the volume (under External) in the sidebar. The Volume is the acme office, non the partition (which is underneath).
  4. Click Erase.
  5. Make sure it says "Untitled" in the Name field. Don't alter this. Click Erase.
  6. Open Terminal.
  7. Cutting and paste the correct createinstallmedia text into Terminal (the lawmaking will depend on the version of macOS, so we suggest getting it from this commodity: createinstallmedia commands for versions of macOS. It will look something like the below paradigm.)
  8. You'll then need to enter your admin password. And then enter "y" and press Return. It will first wipe your flash bulldoze, then turn information technology into a bootable installer.

How to restore a Mac without a recovery partition: Create installer media

Expect to wait a while for the process to finish.

Install macOS from the bootable installer

Now you can follow these steps to use the bootable installer:

  1. Make certain the bootable installer (USB wink drive) is connected to your Mac.
  2. Close downward your Mac.
  3. Hold downwards Option/Alt and press the Power button.
  4. The startup device list window should appear displaying a yellow drive with Install (software name) below it.
  5. Select it and press Render. Wait for the progress bar to fill.
  6. Select Disk Utility.
  7. Select the bulldoze under Internal (your principal hard bulldoze).
  8. Click Erase.
  9. Give the drive a name; "Macintosh HD" is traditional just you tin can choose. Ensure that the Format is Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and the Scheme is GUID Partition Map.
  10. Click Erase.
  11. Click Done.
  12. Cull Disk Utility > Quit Disk Utility.
  13. Select Install macOS and click Keep.
  14. Follow the install macOS options.
  15. Select Macintosh HD as the installation disk, when presented, and click Install.

MacOS volition at present be installed on your hard drive from the bootable installer. The whole process can accept effectually one-half an hour. After this has finished you will have a new installation of macOS along with a Recovery partition.

You may get the bulletin: "This copy of the Install [macOS name] awarding can't exist verified. It may take been corrupted or tampered with during downloading." If and so you need to adjust the date and time in macOS.

How to reinstall Mac Bone X on an older Mac without Recovery fashion

As we mentioned to a higher place, if your Mac is running Snow Leopard or older, it won't have a Recovery partition. Then if everything goes pear shaped and you demand to reinstall your operating system what can you lot do.

If you lot have the original discs that shipped with the Mac, yous should be able to use them.

If you lot don't accept those discs, yous may be able to purchase them from Apple. Apple used to sell Snow Leopard until relatively recently for £19.99 merely information technology is no longer available here. Apple does all the same explain how to get older Bone X versions hither.

You tin can all the same buy a copy of Lion from the Apple Store here, but what you will receive is a download lawmaking, rather than physical discs.

One time you accept the Mac App Store on your Mac y'all will exist able to get a newer version of macOS.