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What Does Command R Do on a Mac?
Access Disk Utility with Command R on Mac
Reinstall macOS with Command R
Command R Not Working on Mac
Frequently Asked Questions About Command R on Mac

#1 Restart or Reset the macOS Operating System Holding down the Command + R keys on your Mac boots it into Recovery Mode, which offers several functions: 1. **Install or Reinstall macOS**: If you're experiencing issues with your Mac or want to upgrade to the latest version of the operating system, you can use Recovery Mode to install or reinstall macOS. 2. **Disk Utility**: Accessible in Recovery Mode, Disk Utility allows you to check for and repair disk errors, as well as partition and format disks. 3. **Restore from Time Machine Backup**: If you have been regularly backing up with Time Machine, you can recover your data and system settings in Recovery Mode. 4. **Internet Recovery**: If local recovery options fail, Internet Recovery will attempt to download the latest version of macOS from Apple's servers for installation. 5. **Erase All Content and Settings**: This is a more comprehensive reset option that deletes all data and returns your Mac to its factory state. Before entering Recovery Mode, make sure your Mac is connected to power to prevent interruption due to battery drain. Proceed with caution, as some options may result in data loss.

Key combinations can boost productivity and convenience, and for Mac users, Command + R is one of the most useful, especially when dealing with Mac startup issues. Command + R means pressing the "Command" and "R" keys on your Mac keyboard simultaneously.

When your Mac won't restart after an update or you experience issues related to macOS, the Command R Mac key combo is incredibly useful. Here are some of the Command R Mac shortcuts you can use in your day-to-day:

Press Command + R and Option + P press Command + R and Option + P

Press the Command + R keys on a Mac to enter Recovery Mode.

Why is “Command + R” so important on a Mac? Apple instructs users to press “Command + R” to boot an Intel-based Mac into its built-in recovery system.

In Mac Recovery Mode, you can recover your system in various situations; for instance, you can get online help, reinstall macOS, access the Disk Utility, set security options, and restore files from a Time Machine backup, etc.

Here's how to start your Mac in Recovery Mode using Command-R:

Step 1. Click on the Apple menu and select “Restart,” then wait for your Intel-based Mac to shut down.

Step 2: Hold down "Command + R" until the Apple logo disappears.

Press the Command + R keys.

Step 3: Release the keys, and the macOS Utilities window will appear.

Note that “Recovery Mode” on an Apple Silicon Mac doesn't work the same way as on an Intel-based Mac with the “Command + R” key combination. Here are the steps for an Apple Silicon-equipped Mac:

Step 1: Press and hold the Power button to turn off your Mac.

Press the Power button

Step 2: Release it when you see “Load Startup Options.”

Step 3: Choose the option you want to boot from, then click “Continue.”

Access Disk Utility on a Mac using the Command + R shortcut

Disk Utility on Mac is a storage manager. It helps Mac users manage the partitions on their Mac and erase/repair the Mac startup disk. Here are the steps to access Disk Utility on an Intel-based Mac:

Step 1: While restarting your Mac, press and hold "Command + R" until you see the Apple logo.

Step 2. In the macOS Utilities window, click Disk Utility.

Click "Disk Utility."

Step 3: In the Disk Utility window, choose View > Show All Devices.

After you open Disk Utility on your Mac, you can use Disk Utility to repair Mac disk. If you need to use "Command + R" to enter Disk Utility for hard drive error repair or disk erasure, remember to back up important files, or download a Mac data recovery tool to retrieve lost files, including documents, photos, system data, emails, and more.

Use Command-R to reinstall macOS

Recovery Mode on a Mac includes tools like Reinstall macOS that can help fix issues with your system. Here's a video that shows how to reinstall macOS using Command + R in Recovery Mode:

    • 00:27 Begin macOS Recovery
    • 00:45 Upgrade using Command + R
    • 01:32 Reinstall macOS
    • 01:55 Unlock your disk

Note that this process might take some time. Keep your Mac plugged in, and don't close your laptop during the installation. Here's how to proceed:

Step 1. Restart your MacBook while holding down the "Command + R" keys.

Step 2: Hold the keys down until you see the Apple logo.

Step 3: When you see the Utilities window, click Reinstall macOS. Then follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall macOS.

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Command R not working on Mac

On any macOS, including macOS Ventura, Monterey, or Big Sur, pressing Command + R should be a staple. If you're experiencing issues with Command R not working on your Mac, you can find the reasons and solutions below:

"Why doesn't Command + R work on my Mac?"

Many Mac users might encounter the issue where pressing “Command + R” doesn't elicit any response from their Mac. Here are some reasons why the Command R might not be working on your Mac:

    • Keyboard issues on a Mac: Check your keyboard before using it.
    • Recovery Command error: Be aware of the differences in recovery commands between Intel-based and Apple Silicon Macs.
    • Corrupted NVRAM: Damaged NVRAM data can prevent Command R from working correctly.
    • Hard drive issues on your Mac: A problematic hard drive can cause your Mac to fail, preventing Command R from functioning.

How to Troubleshoot Command + R Not Working on Mac

Note that the "Command + R" feature works on Intel-based Macs. If you have an Apple silicon Mac, it's normal for "Command + R" not to work. Here are some solutions to get "Command + R" working on your Mac:

  • Reboot back into Recovery Mode
  • The command for M1 Macs
  • Reset the SMC on a MacBook Pro
  • The correct key combination
  • Repair your Mac's hard drive
  • Reinstall macOS

You can read this article for more details about each approach.

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Conclusions

Command + R is one of the most useful key combinations on a Mac, as it allows you to boot into Recovery Mode, reinstall macOS, and access Disk Utility, among other things. Note that holding down Command + R to start up in Recovery Mode only works on Intel-based Macs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Command-R on Mac

When people search for "Command R Mac," they also ask various related questions, such as: 1. What is the Command R key combination on a Mac? 2. How do I use Command R to restore the macOS operating system? 3. What does Command R do when starting up a Mac? 4. What are the steps to update or reinstall macOS using Command R? 5. What options appear when holding down Command R during a Mac startup? 6. Can I use Command R without an internet connection? 7. Will using Command R erase all my data? 8. How is Target Disk Mode related to Command R on a Mac? 9. How do I exit the Command R mode? 10. Does Command R work on all models of Mac?

1. Why isn't Command-R working on my Mac?

There are several reasons why Command R might not work on your Mac, such as a faulty keyboard, damaged NVRAM, or issues with your Mac's hard drive.

2. How do I start my Mac in Recovery Mode using the keyboard?

On an Intel-based Mac, press "Command + R" to start macOS Recovery. Note that this key combination only works on Intel-based Macs and won't work on an Apple Silicon Mac.

3. What does Command + R do on a Mac?

“Command + R” is one of the most useful keyboard shortcuts on an Intel-based Mac. You can use it to boot into Recovery Mode, access Disk Utility, and reinstall macOS, among other things.

4. How do I exit Command-R mode on a Mac?

In other words, to exit Recovery Mode on your Mac, you can restart your Mac to exit Recovery Mode.

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