How to Use the Startup Disk Feature on a Mac: 2 Ways

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Disk Utility on Mac is a disk manager for Mac that helps users manage disk partitions on their Mac. It can also erase or repair the startup disk, fix issues like USB flash drive not showing up on Mac, and add new hard drives, among other things.

Disk Utility is a handy utility. If you wish to recover lost files after erasing the startup disk in Disk Utility, it's advisable to get hold of the mighty tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. There're two methods to boot Mac to Disk Utility/Recovery Mode. Download this powerful recovery tool in advance, and let's see how to do that.

How to Boot into Disk Utility/Recovery Mode on Mac: 2 Ways

It's lucky that your Mac can still start up when there's something wrong with the disk. Sometimes, you might find that your Mac won't start up at all. This article will teach you two ways to get to Disk Utility.

Method 1: Open Disk Utility on a Working Mac

If your Mac starts up normally, you can open Disk Utility using Spotlight or the Finder.

1. Open Finder on your Mac.

Step 2: Click on "Tools" under "Applications."

Locate the “Utilities” folder within the “Applications” folder.

Scroll down until you see “Disk Utility.”


2. Boot the Mac into Disk Utility/Recovery Mode using a boot key

Sometimes, your Mac might get stuck on the Apple logo, have a frozen loading bar, or fail to start up at all. You can use your Mac's startup keys to access Disk Utility to fix the issue. The startup keys are different for Apple Silicon and Intel-based Macs. Read on to learn more.

For Apple Silicon Macs:

Step 1. Make sure your Mac is turned off. Press and hold the power button on your Mac until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

Step 2: Click on "Disk Utility," and your Mac will open Disk Utility.

Click Disk Utility.

**For Intel-based Macs:**

Step 1: Turn off your Mac. Hold down the Command and R keys until you see the Recovery Mode screen.

Press and hold Command + R.

2. Click "Disk Utility." Your Mac will open Disk Utility successfully.

How to Fix a Mac That Won't Boot into Disk Utility/Recovery Mode

Sometimes, the Command+R keys don't work, and your Mac won't boot into Recovery Mode. What then?

1. Solution 1: Check the keyboard connection on your Mac. 2. Solution 2: **Create a bootable macOS Ventura USB**. (Follow this link for a guide.) 3. Solution 3: Start your Mac in Safe Mode. 4. Solution 4: Reset the NVRAM/PRAM. 5. Solution 5: Re-enter Recovery Mode. 6. Solution 6: Use your Mac's Internet Recovery Mode.

How to Erase and Repair Your Startup Disk with Disk Utility

When your Mac's startup disk is having problems, or you're encountering a No Startup Disk issue, you can use Disk Utility to fix it.

How to Repair the Startup Disk on a Mac Using Disk Utility

We've already taught you how to boot your Mac into Disk Utility. Choose one of the methods to open Disk Utility from the menu.

**Step 1:** Select the startup disk, which is usually named Macintosh HD.

Step two, click “First Aid.”

Step 3: Click the "Run" button to repair the startup disk.

(Chart source: Wikipedia; click for larger version.)

How to Erase the Startup Disk on a Mac Using Disk Utility

To reset macOS, you need to erase your startup disk and reinstall the macOS Base System. You can do this by starting up from the recovery system and using Disk Utility to erase your startup disk.

Step 1: Select the startup disk, usually named Macintosh HD.

Step 2: Click the “Erase” button to wipe the data from Macintosh HD.

Recover Data Lost After Formatting Boot Disk with Software

After fixing or wiping the Mac startup disk for a factory reset or reinstalling macOS, you might lose crucial data. Don't panic! You can recover files after reinstalling macOS. How to restore missing files on your Mac?

Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is designed for recovering deleted files on Mac. You can rely on this professional and trustworthy tool to retrieve your data after upgrading to the latest macOS version, reinstallation of macOS, macOS crashes, or accidental deletion, and more.

This tool will help you recover files of all types: DOC, XLS, AVI, MOV, AIF, AAC, CR2, RAW, JPG and so on. Whatever kind of file you've lost, we'll help you get it back from an SD card, USB flash drive, SDHC card, memory card, camera or other storage device.

How to use tools Data Recovery for Mac to retrieve data? Please refer to the detailed steps below:

Step 1: Search for the Lost File

Select the disk location where you want to search for lost files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or an external hard drive), and then click on the “Search Lost Files” button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended to click “Disk Backup” from the left sidebar and create a backup of your HDD/SSD to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from your disk image, and you can use the HDD or SSD again.

Step 2: Review the scan results

The software will immediately scan the disk volume you select and display images, documents, audio, video, and email in the left pane.

Step 3: Select the files and recover them.

Click on the data to preview them, and then hit the "Restore" button to get them back.

Abstract

After reading this article, you now know what Disk Utility is on a Mac and how to normally boot your Mac into Disk Utility/Recovery Mode using the Mac boot key. You also know how to use Disk Utility to repair and erase your startup disk, as well as how to recover data with the Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. If you have more questions about booting your Mac into Disk Utility, read on.

Frequently Asked Questions: Boot Mac into Disk Utility

This section displays four additional questions and answers about how to boot a Mac to Disk Utility.

How do I factory reset my MacBook Pro using Disk Utility?

You can reset your MacBook Pro to its factory settings by booting it into Recovery Mode.

1. Click the Apple icon, then shut down your MacBook Pro.
2. Turn on your MacBook Pro and hold down the Power button or Command + R keys until you see the Recovery Mode screen.
3. Select "Disk Utility."
4. Erase "Macintosh HD," then exit Disk Utility.
5. Reinstall macOS, then start up your Mac.

What can I do if the Command + R keys don't work on my Mac?

If your Command + R keys aren't working, an Intel-based Mac won't boot into Recovery Mode. How can you fix this?

1. Check the Mac's keyboard connection.
2. Create a macOS Ventura bootable USB.
3. Boot your Mac into Safe Mode.
4. Reset the NVRAM/PRAM.
5. Re-enter Recovery Mode.
6. Use the Mac Internet Recovery Mode.

How do I use Disk Utility to repair my Mac's startup disk?

You can open Disk Utility by searching for it using Spotlight on your Mac or by booting into Disk Utility from your Mac.

1. Select the startup disk named “Macintosh HD.”
2. Click “First Aid,” then click “Run” to repair your Mac's startup disk.

How do I start up my Mac from Disk Utility?

If your Mac is running normally, you can open it and search for Disk Utility in Spotlight. Alternatively, open Finder, go to "Applications," click "Utilities," and find Disk Utility there. If your Mac won't start up normally, you should shut down your Mac and hold the power button or Command + R until you see the Recovery Mode. From there, you can click on Disk Utility.