Command-R (⌘R) at startup opens macOS Recovery on Intel-based Macs: shut down the Mac, turn it on, and immediately press and hold Command + R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. On Macs with Apple silicon (M1 and later), Command-R doesn’t work at startup; instead, press and hold the power button until you see Loading startup options, then click Options > Continue. In macOS Recovery you can reinstall macOS, repair disks with Disk Utility, restore from Time Machine, and more. Inside apps, Command-R does other things, like reloading a page in Safari or replying in Mail.
This guide covers using Command-R and its variations, what each Recovery tool does, the Apple silicon method, and what to do when Recovery won’t load.
Check which Mac you have
Click the Apple menu > About This Mac. If it lists Chip (such as Apple M1, M2, M3, or M4), you have Apple silicon. If it lists Processor with Intel, use Command-R.
Start macOS Recovery on an Intel Mac
- Choose Apple menu > Shut Down.
- Press the power button, then immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + R.
- Release when you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
- If asked, select a user and enter the password, or choose a Wi-Fi network.
Command-R variations (Intel Macs)
| Shortcut at startup | What it does |
|---|---|
| Command + R | Built-in Recovery; reinstalls the latest macOS that was installed on the Mac |
| Option + Command + R | Internet Recovery; offers the latest macOS compatible with the Mac |
| Shift + Option + Command + R | Internet Recovery; offers the macOS that came with the Mac, or the closest still available |
Start macOS Recovery on an Apple silicon Mac
- Shut down the Mac.
- Press and hold the power button (Touch ID button on laptops) until Loading startup options appears.
- Click Options, then Continue.
- Select a user and enter the password if asked.
What you can do in macOS Recovery
- Restore from Time Machine – restore the Mac from a backup.
- Reinstall macOS – reinstall the operating system without erasing your files (by default).
- Disk Utility – run First Aid to repair a drive, or erase it before selling.
- Get help online – open a browser to look up support articles.
- Utilities menu – open Terminal, Startup Security Utility (on Macs with the T2 chip or Apple silicon), and on Apple silicon, Share Disk.
Command-R in apps
| App | Command-R does |
|---|---|
| Safari and most browsers | Reload the page |
| Reply to the selected message | |
| Messages | Reply to the last message (in some versions) |
| Finder | Show the original of an alias |
| Xcode | Build and run |
If Command-R doesn’t work
- Press the keys immediately after pressing the power button, and hold them until the logo appears.
- Use a wired Apple keyboard if a wireless one isn’t recognized early enough.
- If you see a prohibitory symbol or globe with an error, try Internet Recovery (Option + Command + R) and make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- On Apple silicon, Command-R does nothing; use the power button method.
- If Recovery still won’t start, create a bootable macOS installer on a USB drive using another Mac.
Frequently asked questions
Does reinstalling macOS from Recovery delete my files?
No, reinstalling keeps your files and apps by default. Erasing the disk in Disk Utility does delete everything.
How do I leave macOS Recovery?
Choose Apple menu > Restart or Shut Down.
Can I use Command-R to reset my Mac to factory settings?
On newer macOS versions, use System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings instead. Recovery is the fallback for older Macs or when macOS won’t start.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.