How To Get Out Of Recovery Mode On MacBook

To Get out of Recovery Mode on MacBook restart the Mac, reset the SMC, reset NVRAM/PRAM, access Safe Mode, or reselect the startup disk.

Facing challenge to Get Out Of Recovery Mode On MacBook? This is a common issue that leaves many people scratching their heads. Interestingly, there are multiple ways to tackle this situation and make your MacBook operational again. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore pragmatic steps to exit the Recovery Mode on a Macbook in a breezy way that even beginners can follow easily. Ready to start troubleshooting? Let’s dive right in!

Quick Summary

  • Restarting the Mac is the simplest method to exit recovery mode on a MacBook. It can resolve minor glitches and get your MacBook back to normal.
  • Resetting the SMC (System Management Controller) can help fix recovery mode issues by clearing potential hardware glitches that may be causing the problem.
  • Resetting NVRAM/PRAM (Non – volatile Random Access Memory/Parameter RAM) is another solution for getting out of recovery mode. This clears certain settings that could be causing issues and preventing your MacBook from exiting recovery mode.
  • Accessing Safe Mode allows you to troubleshoot software conflicts or issues causing recovery mode problems. In Safe Mode, you can run diagnostics, repair disk permissions, uninstall problematic software, or delete cache files.

Methods to Get out of Recovery Mode on MacBook

To exit recovery mode on your Macbook, you can try restarting the Mac, resetting the SMC, resetting NVRAM/PRAM, accessing Safe Mode, or reselecting the startup disk.

Restarting the Mac

Restarting your Mac is the first and simplest method to get out of recovery mode. This process is the same regardless of whether your Mac is in its built-in or Internet Recovery Mode. Follow these steps:
  1. Click on the Apple menu located at the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Select “Restart” from the drop-down list.
  3. Wait for your Mac to shut down completely, then power back up.

Resetting the SMC

Resetting the SMC is another method to exit recovery mode on your Macbook. The System Management Controller (SMC) controls various hardware functions on your Mac, including battery management, power management, and fan control. Resetting the SMC can help resolve issues related to these functions and potentially fix recovery mode problems.
  1. Shut down your Macbook.
  2. Connect the power adapter to your Macbook.
  3. Press and hold the Shift + Control + Option keys and the Power button for about 10 seconds.
  4. Release all the keys and the Power button simultaneously.
  5. Now, press the Power button again to turn on your Macbook.

Resetting NVRAM/PRAM

To exit recovery mode on your MacBook, you can also try resetting the NVRAM/PRAM. Here’s how:
  1. Shut down your Mac completely.
  2. Press the power button to turn it back on.
  3. Immediately press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys together before the grey startup screen appears.
  4. Keep holding the keys until you hear the startup sound for the second time or see the Apple logo twice (on some models).
  5. Release the keys and let your Mac continue to boot up normally.

Accessing Safe Mode

Accessing Safe Mode To access Safe Mode on your Macbook and potentially resolve recovery mode issues, follow these steps:
  1. Shut down your Macbook completely.
  2. Press the power button to turn on your Macbook.
  3. Immediately press and hold the Shift key when you hear the startup sound or see the Apple logo on the screen.
  4. Hold the Shift key until you see the login window or the desktop in Safe Mode.

Reselecting the startup disk

You can try reselecting the startup disk to exit recovery mode on your Macbook. Reselecting the startup disk Here’s how:
  1. Start by restarting your Macbook. Go to the Apple menu at the top left corner of your screen and choose “Restart.”
  2. Once your Macbook has restarted, press and hold the Option (⌥) key on your keyboard.
  3. A list of available startup disks will appear on the screen. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the options.
  4. Select the startup disk corresponding to your main operating system, usually labelled as “Macintosh HD” or with your chosen name.
  5. After selecting the correct startup disk, press Enter or click on it with your mouse to start up your Macbook from that disk.
  6. Your Macbook will boot up normally from the selected startup disk, bypassing recovery mode.

Advanced Solutions to Get Out Of Recovery Mode On MacBook

In addition to the basic methods mentioned earlier, there are advanced solutions you can try to exit recovery mode on your MacBook. These include booting your Mac into Single User Mode, repairing the startup disk, and reinstalling macOS if necessary.

Booting Mac into Single User Mode

To boot your Mac into Single User Mode, follow these steps:
  1. Turn off your Mac by holding down the power button.
  2. Press the power button again to turn on your Mac.
  3. Immediately press and hold the Command + S keys on your keyboard.
  4. Hold the keys until you see white text scrolling on a black screen.
  5. Once in Single User Mode, you can enter commands to troubleshoot or perform maintenance tasks.

Repairing the startup disk

Is your MacBook stuck in recovery mode? One possible solution is to repair the startup disk. Here’s how you can do it:
  1. Start restarting your Mac and holding the Command + R keys until the Apple logo appears. This will boot your Mac into macOS Recovery.
  2. Once in macOS Recovery, click “Disk Utility” and select your startup disk from the list of available disks.
  3. Click on the “First Aid” tab at the top of the Disk Utility window.
  4. Next, click on “Run” to start the repair process. This will scan and repair any errors or issues with your startup disk.
  5. Once the repair is complete, restart your Mac normally by going to the Apple menu and selecting “Restart.”

Reinstalling macOS

To reinstall macOS and exit recovery mode on your Mac, follow these steps:
  1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Command and R keys simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. This will boot your Mac into macOS Recovery.
  2. Select “Reinstall macOS” from the menu in macOS Utilities and click “Continue.”
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose your installation disk and agree to the license terms.
  4. Click “Install” to begin the reinstallation process. Your Mac will download and install the latest version of macOS.
  5. Once the reinstallation is complete, your Mac will restart, and you’ll be taken through the initial setup process.

Steps to Restore Mac to an Earlier Date

To restore your Mac earlier, you can use Time Machine or reformat the corrupted startup disk.

Using Time Machine

You can use the built-in Time Machine feature to restore your Mac to an earlier date and exit recovery mode. Here’s how:
  1. Connect your external hard drive or Time Capsule to your Mac.
  2. Restart your Mac and hold down the Command + R keys immediately after you hear the startup sound.
  3. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
  4. Select “Restore From Time Machine Backup” in macOS Utilities and click Continue.
  5. Choose the Time Machine backup from which you want to restore your Mac and click Continue.
  6. Select your startup disk as the destination for the restore and click Restore.
  7. Wait for the restore process to complete, which may take some time, depending on the backup size.
  8. Once the restore is finished, restart your Mac normally by going to the Apple menu and selecting Restart.

Reformatting the corrupted startup disk

To reformat a corrupted startup disk on your Mac, follow these steps:
  1. Back up your important data: Before proceeding with any disk formatting, it’s crucial to back up your essential files and data to ensure they aren’t lost during the process.
  2. Access macOS Recovery: Restart your Mac while holding down the Command + R keys until you see the Apple logo or spinning globe. This will boot your Mac into macOS Recovery mode.
  3. Open Disk Utility: Select “Disk Utility” from the Utilities window in macOS Recovery mode and click “Continue.”
  4. Select the startup disk: In Disk Utility, locate and select your corrupted startup disk from the list of available drives.
  5. Erase the disk: Click the “Erase” tab at the top of the Disk Utility window. Choose a suitable format for your disk (usually macOS Extended (Journaled)) and provide a name for it.
  6. Start reformatting: Double-check that you’ve selected the correct disk, then click “Erase.” A warning will appear, stating that all data on the disk will be deleted permanently. Confirm this action by clicking “Erase” again.
  7. Wait for completion: The reformatting process may take some time, depending on the size of your drive. Once done, Disk Utility will display a message confirming it was successful.
  8. Reinstall macOS: After reformatting is complete, exit Disk Utility and choose “Reinstall macOS” or “Reinstall OS X” from the macOS Utilities window to reinstall a fresh copy of macOS onto your formatted startup disk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting out of recovery mode on your Macbook may seem daunting, but it can be easily resolved with the right methods and solutions. You have various options, whether it’s a simple restart, resetting SMC or NVRAM/PRAM, accessing the safe mode, or selecting a different startup disk. Advanced solutions like booting into single-user mode, repairing the startup disk, or reinstalling macOS can help resolve the issue if all else fails. Always refer to specific instructions for your MacBook model and follow troubleshooting steps carefully. With perseverance and these tips in mind, you can exit recovery mode and return to using your Macbook smoothly.

FAQs

1. What is the recovery mode on a MacBook?

Recovery mode on a MacBook is a built-in feature that allows you to troubleshoot and solve problems with your computer’s operating system. It provides options for reinstalling macOS, restoring from a Time Machine backup, or using disk utilities to repair disk issues.

2. How do I exit recovery mode on my MacBook?

To exit recovery mode on your MacBook, restart your computer by clicking the Apple menu and selecting “Restart” or pressing the power button. Your MacBook will start normally and no longer be in recovery mode.

3. Why is my MacBook stuck in recovery mode?

There are several reasons why your MacBook may be stuck in recovery mode, including software glitches, failed OS updates, or issues with startup disks. Holding down specific key combinations during startup can sometimes inadvertently trigger recovery mode.

4. Can I recover lost data from my Mac while in recovery mode?

Yes, it is possible to recover lost data from your Mac while in recovery mode using built-in utilities like Disk Utility or third-party data recovery software. However, it’s important to note that the success of data recovery depends on various factors, such as the type of data loss and whether the affected storage device is physically damaged.