Mojave can't connect to a WiFi with WPA2 Enterpreise IN RECOVERY MODE ONLY (connects Ok otherwise)-Help!

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ArtsySue Author

Level 1

39 points

Mojave can't connect to a WiFi with WPA2 Enterpreise IN RECOVERY MODE ONLY (connects Ok otherwise)-Help!

After I upgraded to Mojave in Dec. 2018, my iMac slowed to a "dial-up' crawl.

An Apple tech friend suggested I reinstall my OS. Fine. But when I restart in

Recovery Mode, it says I'm not connected to the Internet. So it gives me a

window to enter User ID / Password [which I've done *correctly*]. It doesn't

join my normal network, it gives me the message that it can't be joined, and

I should move closer to my router.

I live in an apartment community, and I'm using their "enterprise network."

They (IT) thinks Apple might have an incompatibility problem with that kind

of network WHEN IT'S IN RECOVERY MODE.

Any ideas? Please help... <whimper> :-)

-- Sue

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.14

Posted on Feb 20, 2020 2:22 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

medwds

Level 4

2,194 points

Feb 21, 2020 2:04 AM in response to ArtsySue

A connection is not required if you use a bootable installer—see the link in my earlier post. The article says it's for more advanced users, but it's very well written and explained with examples and a screenshot. I'm sure you could find a YouTube video also.

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Answer 2

medwds

Level 4

2,194 points

Feb 20, 2020 2:54 PM in response to ArtsySue

I think this is normal. I'm pretty certain I remember reading that WPA2 Enterprise networks are not supported in macOS Recovery. I can't now find an official source, but see this post in another thread for example.

With a spare 16 GB flash drive and a brief delve into Terminal you can create a bootable installer and use that instead. Do post back if you'd like further help with this.

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Answer 3

medwds

Level 4

2,194 points

Feb 20, 2020 3:43 PM in response to ArtsySue

Great question! Recovery and Internet Recovery both depend on being able to download files. The difference is that "regular" Recovery boots from a hidden area of the hard disk, while Internet Recovery is delivered entirely online so it can boot even if the hard disk has been completely erased or replaced. Looking at current documentation it appears Apple is phasing out the term "Internet Recovery" and making less of a distinction between the modes, perhaps to avoid this confusion.

[Edit: I posted this before I saw your latest question. Indeed, to use Ethernet you'd need somewhere to physically connect it.]

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