Bid farewell to the frustration as we unravel the secrets to exit Recovery Mode on MacOS. It’s time to reclaim control, revive your Mac, and embark on a hassle-free restart.
Let’s turn the page on tech troubles, in our case, “Mac stuck in recovery mode loop” and dive into the thrilling world of mastering MacOS recovery challenges!
It does not matter if you own a Mac Laptop or a Mac Desktop. The steps you need to take on each Mac device are one and the same.
But, what exactly is recovery Mode?
In short, Recovery Mode is a powerful tool on macOS that allows users to troubleshoot and perform various maintenance tasks on their Mac computers. However, there are times when users unintentionally find themselves stuck in Recovery Mode, desperately seeking an escape route.
This article aims to guide you through exiting Recovery Mode on macOS, providing a step-by-step approach to regain control of your Mac.
In this Article, we'll see:
Understanding Recovery Mode on macOS
Again, let’s briefly understand Recovery Mode and why it is a crucial component of the macOS environment.
Recovery Mode is a dedicated partition on your Mac’s storage that houses a lightweight version of the macOS operating system and essential tools for system recovery and troubleshooting.
Users can access Recovery Mode by [CMD + R + Power Button] during the Mac’s startup process.
When in Recovery Mode, you can perform the following tasks:
- Re-install macOS
- Get online help
- Disk Utility to repair or reset disk data
- Restore data from time Machine Backup
All in all, these four options allow users an even greater control over their Mac Laptops or Desktops.
Related: How to Enter & Use Recovery Mode on MacOS?
Use of Recovery Mode in macOS
There are several scenarios that may lead to a Mac being in Recovery Mode:
- Manual Activation: Users may intentionally enter Recovery Mode to perform tasks such as reinstalling macOS, accessing Disk Utility, or restoring from a Time Machine backup.
- Startup Issues: If your Mac encounters problems during startup, it may automatically boot into Recovery Mode to provide a platform for troubleshooting and repairs.
- Installation of System Updates: Sometimes, during the installation of macOS updates, the system may reboot into Recovery Mode to complete the update process.
- Hardware or Software Issues: In cases of hardware or software conflicts, your Mac might end up in Recovery Mode as a protective measure.
Therefore, we can say that recovery mode in macOS is a set of highly useful options and commands.
These features help users, like you and me, to trouble shoot problems on our own before consulting Apple Support.
How to Exit Recovery Mode on macOS – Step by Step
There are several scenarios that can lead to a “Mac stuck in Recovery Mode Loop” situation. But let’s not care too much about it.
So, here are our top methods to get out of the recovery mode in macOS as fast as possible. Let’s go through them, one by one.
1) Restart your Mac
Sometimes, the most straightforward method is often the most effective.
Begin by restarting your Mac. This is one of the simplest as well as most effective solutions if your mac keeps booting in recovery mode.
If the issue causing the entry into Recovery Mode was a temporary glitch, a simple restart might resolve it.
2) Use the Apple Menu to exit recovery mode on macOS
Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and choose “Restart.” This initiates a normal restart, and your Mac should boot into the regular operating system.
Again, this is a quick solution and if problem still persists, check out the next method in our list.
3) Boot from Start Up Disk
If restarting doesn’t work, you can try selecting the startup disk directly. You can implement this method by following the steps below.
a. Restart your Mac and hold down the “Option” key.
b. When the Startup Manager appears, select your regular startup disk.
c. Click on the arrow or press “Return” to boot from the selected disk.
4) Terminal Commands
For users comfortable with the command line, Terminal offers solutions. Here are a couple of commands you can try. Also, using terminal commands can prove to be extremely useful if you have tried a bunch of methods.
a. Open Terminal from the Utilities menu in Recovery Mode.
b. To exit Recovery Mode and reboot into the main system, enter the following command.
c. If you want to shut down the computer and start up normally, you can use:
5) Reset NVRAM/PRAM
The Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM) or Parameter RAM (PRAM) stores various settings related to your Mac’s hardware and system configurations. Resetting NVRAM/PRAM might help in some situations.
Here’s how to exit recovery mode from macOS by resetting NVRAM/PRAM.
a. Shut down your Mac.
b. Turn it back on and immediately hold down the “Option,” “Command,” “P,” and “R” keys.
c. Keep holding the keys until you hear the startup sound for the second time, then release them.
If your Mac device still continues in Recovery Mode, we might have to re-install Mac OS on your Mac Laptop or Mac Desktop.
6. Reinstall macOS
If all else fails, you can attempt to reinstall macOS. This process doesn’t erase your data but installs a fresh copy of the operating system. Here’s how:
a. Boot into Recovery Mode.
b. Select “Reinstall macOS” from the Utilities menu.
c. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation process.
7. Check for Hardware Issues
If the problem persists, it might be related to a hardware issue. Ensure that your Mac’s hardware components are functioning correctly.
If in doubt, seek assistance from Apple Support or visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Side Note: Most of the times, Mac users do get urge of self-examining the problem, be it hardware or software. While it is a great option to self examine software issues, users must refrain from opening up their Mac computers to check for hardware issues.
Conclusion
The process to Exit Recovery Mode on macOS may seem like navigating through a labyrinth, especially when unexpected issues arise.
Related: Change Name & Hostname on Mac Computers!
However, armed with the proper knowledge and steps, you can successfully steer your Mac back to its regular operating state.
Remember to consider the severity of the issue before attempting more advanced solutions, and always back up your important data regularly to prevent data loss during troubleshooting.
If all else fails, professional assistance from Apple Support or an authorized service provider is just a call or visit away. Don’t let the Recovery Mode maze overwhelm you—take control and get your Mac back on track.
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