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i factory reset my mac and it is coming up with the folder with a question mark. is there a way to get my macbook back or have i just completely ruined it? Please help me out because i need it for school.

i factory reset my mac and it is coming up with the folder with a question mark. is there a way to get my macbook back or have i just completely ruined it? Please help me out because i need it for school.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Dec 31, 2021 6:52 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 31, 2021 7:15 PM

See Apple's support document If your Mac starts up to a question mark which has the advice:


If the question mark persists [in startup], follow these steps:

  1. Press and hold the power button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off.
  2. Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘) and R to start up from macOS Recovery.
  3. While in macOS Recovery, use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk.
  4. If Disk Utility found no errors or repaired all errors, reinstall macOS.
  5. If you still need help, please contact Apple Support.


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 31, 2021 7:15 PM in response to MaddiePig

See Apple's support document If your Mac starts up to a question mark which has the advice:


If the question mark persists [in startup], follow these steps:

  1. Press and hold the power button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off.
  2. Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘) and R to start up from macOS Recovery.
  3. While in macOS Recovery, use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk.
  4. If Disk Utility found no errors or repaired all errors, reinstall macOS.
  5. If you still need help, please contact Apple Support.


i factory reset my mac and it is coming up with the folder with a question mark. is there a way to get my macbook back or have i just completely ruined it? Please help me out because i need it for school.

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