Our iMac stopped working after an update. The progress bar is complete but it doesn’t start. People suggest using recovery mode or safe mode but this requires the keyboard and it’s a Bluetooth keyboard so it isn’t connected before the computer starts. What can we do instead?
I think Apple has a problem here with recovery mode, at least on newer iMacs. I have a new 5K iMac with wireless, rechargeable keyboard and mouse.
1. You can't use startup keys with wireless keyboards because they don't connect to the system early enough in the boot process.
2. But you can if you wait until the startup chime and then press the keys.
3. But you can't because Apple removed the startup chime and the recommended workaround (sudo nvram BootAudio=%01) doesn't work, at least on my brand new iMac.
4. OK, you really can because the rechargeable keyboard does work early enough in the boot process if you plug in the charging cable.
5. But there is no Recovery Partition on my brand new iMac (doesn't show up in the boot manager; doesn't show up in disk utility). Why? I don't know, but apparently Recovery Mode boots by going over the internet to Apple's servers. So now I am in Recovery Mode.
6. But now my mouse doesn't work in Recovery Mode. I can use the arrow keys to move up and down among the 4 options in Recovery Mode, but I can't select any of them with the Enter or Return keys. Recovery Mode is useless.
7. Summary: Because of a series of uncoordinated changes made by Apple, I can't use Recovery Mode on a brand new 5K iMac.
Suggestions for further work-arounds appreciated (other than the obvious option of buying a USB mouse and keyboard).
Apple, please think this through and fix it.
I think Apple has a problem here with recovery mode, at least on newer iMacs. I have a new 5K iMac with wireless, rechargeable keyboard and mouse.
1. You can't use startup keys with wireless keyboards because they don't connect to the system early enough in the boot process.
2. But you can if you wait until the startup chime and then press the keys.
3. But you can't because Apple removed the startup chime and the recommended workaround (sudo nvram BootAudio=%01) doesn't work, at least on my brand new iMac.
4. OK, you really can because the rechargeable keyboard does work early enough in the boot process if you plug in the charging cable.
5. But there is no Recovery Partition on my brand new iMac (doesn't show up in the boot manager; doesn't show up in disk utility). Why? I don't know, but apparently Recovery Mode boots by going over the internet to Apple's servers. So now I am in Recovery Mode.
6. But now my mouse doesn't work in Recovery Mode. I can use the arrow keys to move up and down among the 4 options in Recovery Mode, but I can't select any of them with the Enter or Return keys. Recovery Mode is useless.
7. Summary: Because of a series of uncoordinated changes made by Apple, I can't use Recovery Mode on a brand new 5K iMac.
Suggestions for further work-arounds appreciated (other than the obvious option of buying a USB mouse and keyboard).
Apple, please think this through and fix it.
Apple doesn’t routinely monitor the discussions. These are mostly user to user discussions.
Send Apple feedback. They won't answer, but at least will know there is a problem or a suggestion for change. If enough people send feedback, it may get the problem/suggested change solved sooner.
You could use a wired USB keyboard, even a Windows PC one would work. Also an Apple TV remote can be used to select the recovery partition at startup by holding the remote's Menu button while the computer is booting up. Of course you have to aim the remote at the computer so the infrared sensor sees it.
I don't know of a keyboard workaround.
Try shutting down the computer using the power switch and then restart.
That was the first thing I did! And the 2nd. And 3rd. And 4th...! :)
Yes I would have tried that if I had another keyboard or an apple remote. Can’t beleive there isn’t another way...
You will need to use some form of wired keyboard. I have run into this problem personally, and a wired keyboard was the only workaround I ever found :/
Best of luck!
Thank you for your advice. I had already sent Apple feedback in addition to posting here.
You are welcome.
Can’t use recovery mode because Bluetooth keyboard not connected
