M1 computers

Recovery Mode

(lets you access Disk Utility, Time Machine, Startup Security Utility, Terminal, Share Disk, Reinstall OS, Startup Disk, and Safari)

  1. Hold power button during startup

  2. Choose Options

Fallback Recovery Mode (accesses a second copy of computer’s recoveryOS)

  • Press and release, then press and hold, the power button


SMC reset

  • Can not be reset (SMC part of M1 chip now)

  • Some suggest powering off for 30 seconds

NVRAM reset

  • Restart computer (system tests NVRAM at startup and Resets it if problems found)

  • Start in Recovery Mode then run Terminal command NVRAM -c

Firmware password

Enable FileVault. It replaces firmware passwords by requiring valid user credentials before startup options can be modified.

Firmware update

Use Apple Configurator 2 - see this article

Mac won’t boot

Use Apple Configurator 2 - see this article

Boot from external disk

  1. Hold power button during startup 

  2. Choose external disk

Set default startup disk

  1. Hold power button during startup

  2. Choose disk

  3. Hold Option

  4. Click “Always Use”

Safe Mode

  1. Hold power button during startup

  2. Choose internal disk

  3. Hold Shift

  4. Click “Continue in safe mode”

Apple Diagnostics

  1. Hold power button during startup until you see “Options” appear

  2. IMMEDIATELY press and hold Command D

Target Disk Mode

  1. Connect both computers with USB-C or Thunderbolt cable (but NOT the one that came with the MacBook)

  2. Hold target computer’s power button during startup

  3. Choose Options

  4. Under Utilities menu choose Share Disk

  5. It should now appear on the other Mac’s sidebar and in it’s System Preferences/Network pane

Recovery Log

records the boot process, and can be set to show all logs, errors only, or errors and progress)

  1. Hold power button during startup

  2. Open Window menu

  3. Choose Recivery Log(