The Mac has a mode that Apple calls “macOS Recovery” (Recovery Mode) that you can use when you need to perform some kind of maintenance on your Mac computer. Apple has support documents to describe macOS recovery.
And we must now clearly distinguish between Mac models based on the Intel chip and the more recent Mac based on the Apple Silicon chip.
How to start recovery from a Mac with Intel chip is to hold the “Command-R” key on the keyboard while the Mac is starting up. It is different from the
- Shut down your Mac. When you turn it on, press and hold the power button while your Mac is starting up.
- The screen will display icons for bootable storage devices connected to the Mac, as well as an “Options” icon. Select “Options” and click “Continue”. This puts the Mac into recovery mode.
- You may need to enter a password for an administrator account that is on the Mac.
You will then be taken to a “Recovery” screen where you can choose from a selection of applications to perform some additional maintenance tasks that may be of interest to your Mac.
Take a look at the best programs to clean up Mac.
