Startup Commands
Apple/Mac startup commands
Quick overview of Mac startup key combinations
To boot your Intel-based Mac into any of OS X’s built-in startup modes, you must press and hold one or more keys detailed below after turning on the computer. Press the keys immediately after hearing the startup sound, unless otherwise specified.
How to burn OS X with mac simulated burner on Windows:
I have 2 lists, here’s #1
Option – Display all bootable volumes (Startup Manager)
Shift – Perform Safe Boot (start up in Safe Mode)
C – Start from a bootable disc
T – Start in FireWire target disk mode
X – Force Mac OS X startup (if non-Mac OS X startup volumes are present)
Command-V – Start in Verbose Mode
Command-S – Start in Single User Mode
Mouse button – Force eject CD/DVD
List #2
one macbook I worked on I just needed to hold the “option” key while powering up and a 2011 I just held the “command” key. Next it set up the wifi then offered to install the OS.
Manually restart: Power (?)
Boot from CD/DVD: C
Startup Manager: Option (?)
Single-User Mode: Command (?)—S
Target Disk Mode: T
Verbose Mode: Command (?)—V
Safe Mode: Shift (?)
Recovery OS: Command (?)—R
Internet Recovery OS: Command (?)—Option (?)—R
Apple Hardware Test: D
Apple Hardware Test over the Internet: Option (?)—D
Boot from NetBoot server: N
Boot from NetBoot server using the default image: Option (?)—N
Eject removable media: Media Eject (?), F12, mouse button or trackpad button
OS X Startup Volume: X will start up your Mac from an OS X startup volume when it’d otherwise boot from a non-OS X volume, like a Windows partition
Prevent Login Items from opening: To override your current settings and prevent Login Items and Finder windows from your last session from opening when you log in, hold down the Shift (?) key after clicking the Log In button in OS X’s login window until the desktop appears.
Prevent automatic login: If you enabled the option to automatically log a specific OS X account every time your Mac starts up, you can override this setting by holding the left Shift (?) key after OS X’s boot progress indicator appears.
Reset PRAM/NVRAM: Command (?)—Option (?)—P—R, then release the keys after you hear the startup sound for a second time
Reset SMC: Shut down your Mac, and then press and hold the left-side Shift (?)—Control (^)—Option keys along with the Power (?) button, all at the same time, until the computer turns on. Now release the keys and then turn your Mac back on using the power button.
Other keyboard shortcuts are available after your Mac has started up.
Our ongoing tutorial series has covered many Mac startup modes thus far. To learn more about many of them, simply tap or click their linked names on the bulleted list above.
Startup key combos not registering?
On certain Mac notebook models, startup key combos may fail to register in certain situations. For instance, if you own an early-2015 twelve-inch MacBook model and have Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard connected to it, these key combinations won’t work on your wireless keyboard.
The solution couldn’t be simpler: use the MacBook’s built-in keyboard to get to Startup Manager, Recovery Mode, Single User Mode, Safe Mode and other features that are available at boot time.
Another option: hook up any standard USB keyboard to your Mac via a USB-C adapter.
The startup chime as a troubleshooting feature
You shouldn’t turn the volume all the way down before restarting your Mac.
Hearing startup tones other than the familiar startup chord is the first step in determining what might be causing hiccups that your computer is experiencing.
RELATED: The different Mac OS X startup tones and the problems they indicate
For more tips like this, browse our complete tutorials archive.
