Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

📢 Newsroom Update

Apple unveils the new iMac with M4, supercharged by Apple Intelligence and available in fresh colors. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Command/R recovery mode not working

About 5 days ago I got my new 2022 Macbook Pro and needed to go into recovery mode and many times I pressed Command/R after startup and it just took me back to my desktop. Can anyone suggest what to do or has anyone else had this problem? Thanks in advance. Martha

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jul 29, 2023 8:21 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 1, 2023 7:47 AM

Hi, I ended up calling Apple and they showed me how to do it. My laptop has a M2 chip. So I held down the power key until the computer was off. Then I held it down again and it brought me into recovery mode!!!


Thanks so much!

Martha

4 replies

Jul 29, 2023 8:29 AM in response to mpoinar

Do you have an intel Mac? You might want to reset the NVRAM and the SMC to see if the issue persists.


For Macs with apple silicon, simply restart your computer.

If you have an intel Mac, proceed and follow these steps. and check afterwards if you can boot from macOS recovery


If you're not using a Mac with Apple silicon, you're using an Intel-based Mac.

How to reset NVRAM


  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, R.
  3. Release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart. For example, you might hear a startup sound more than once, or see the Apple logo more than once.
  4. When your Mac finishes starting up, you might need to adjust any system settings that were reset.


To reset the SMC


If you have a Mac with the Apple T2 chip

Find out if you have a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip

Laptop computer with the T2 chip

Before resetting the SMC, follow these steps:

  1. Shut down your Mac, if possible.
  2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds, then release the button.
  3. Every Mac has a power button. On laptop computers that have Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID.
  4. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

If the issue persists, reset the SMC:

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. On your built-in keyboard, press and hold all of the following keys. Your Mac might turn on.
    • Control  on the left side of your keyboard
    • Option (Alt)  on the left side of your keyboard
    • Shift  on the right side of your keyboard
  1. Keep holding all three keys for 7 seconds, then press and hold the power button as well. If your Mac is on, it will turn off as you hold the keys.
  2. Keep holding all four keys for another 7 seconds, then release them.
  3. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

If you need help, contact Apple Support


For laptops without the T2 CHIP

Laptop computer

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. On your built-in keyboard, press and hold all of these keys:
    • Shift  on the left side of your keyboard
    • Control  on the left side of your keyboard
    • Option (Alt)  on the left side of your keyboard
  1. While holding all three keys, press and hold the power button as well.
  2. Keep holding all four keys for 10 seconds.
  3. Release all keys, then press the power button to turn on your Mac.

If you need help, contact Apple Support


Command/R recovery mode not working

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.