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User profile for user: Reverend81
Reverend81 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

MacOS Recovery - Go back to Utilities

I have this problem every time I go to wipe a Mac, I boot into Recovery with Command + R, wipe the drive, then exist disk utility and am stuck at a blank page with no options. Then I'm forced to restart the computer and go through internet recovery before I can try again.


Is there any keyboard shortcut or way to re-launch MacOS Utilities to get back to the "Reinstall" option without fully restarting and going through internet recovery?


Thanks!

MacBook Air

Posted on Sep 26, 2020 10:16 AM

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,825 points

Posted on Sep 26, 2020 11:28 AM

Only erase the logical volume, not the physical disk. When you do the latter, it also erases the Recovery Volume. That is why the Utility Menu does not return. Here is the way you should do it.


Install El Capitan or Later from Scratch


If possible, back up your files.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo and progress bar appear. Wait until the Utility Menu appears.
  2. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.
  3. When Disk Utility loads select the target volume (indented entry, usually named "Macintosh HD") from the Device list.
  4. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  5. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs, only for Mojave and Catalina) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  6. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  7. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  8. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,825 points

Sep 26, 2020 11:28 AM in response to Reverend81

Only erase the logical volume, not the physical disk. When you do the latter, it also erases the Recovery Volume. That is why the Utility Menu does not return. Here is the way you should do it.


Install El Capitan or Later from Scratch


If possible, back up your files.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo and progress bar appear. Wait until the Utility Menu appears.
  2. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.
  3. When Disk Utility loads select the target volume (indented entry, usually named "Macintosh HD") from the Device list.
  4. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  5. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs, only for Mojave and Catalina) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  6. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
  7. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  8. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


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MacOS Recovery - Go back to Utilities

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