MacOS start up commands
Recovery On an Intel-based Mac
Command (⌘)-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery system / Reinstall the latest macOS that was installed on the Mac
Option-Command-R: Upgrades to the latest compatible macOS version
Shift-Option-Command-R: Reinstalls the macOS version that originally came with the Mac, or the closest version still available
Option (⌥) or Alt: Start up to Startup Manager, which allows you to choose other available startup disks or volumes.
Option-Command-P-R: Reset NVRAM or PRAM.
Shift (⇧): Start up in safe mode.
D: Start up to the Apple Diagnostics utility. Or use Option-D to start up to this utility over the internet.
N: Start up from a NetBoot server, if your Mac supports network startup volumes. To use the default boot image on the server, press and hold Option-N instead.
Command-S: Start up in single-user mode. Disabled in macOS Mojave or later.
T: Start up in target disk mode.
Command-V: Start up in verbose mode.
On a Mac with Apple silicon
- Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button as your Mac starts up.
- Release the power button when you see the startup options screen, which shows your startup disks and a gear icon labeled Options.
- From this window you can start up from a different disk, start up in safe mode, use macOS Recovery, and more.