Apple Startup Key Combinations

Below you’ll fid a list of the more commonly used startup key combinations for macOS and OSX. These are useful for diagnosing problems and reinstalling the operating system, among other things.

Recovery Mode Options

Shift-Option-⌘-R

Startup Manager – Option (⌥) or Alt

Start up to Startup Manager, which allows you to choose other available startup disks or volumes. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you’re prompted to enter the password.

NVRAM Reset – Option-Command-P-R

Reset NVRAM or PRAM. If your Mac is using a firmware password, it ignores this key combination or starts up from macOS Recovery.

Safe Mode – Shift (⇧)

Start up in safe mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.

Apple Diagnostics – D

Start up to the Apple Diagnostics utility. Or use Option-D to start up to this utility over the Internet. Disabled when using a firmware password.

Target Mode – T

Start up in target disk mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.

Verbose Mode – V

Command-V: Start up in verbose mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.