take off a X ago , Apple built the Recovery divider into macOS installations . It ’s an operating organization in itself — Apple go calling it recoveryOS to begin with in 2021 . If something lead awry with macOS on your startup mass , you may boot into Recovery and track down Disk Utility , reinstall macOS , and execute low - point utilities .
But you have to have the Recovery partitioning installed in rules of order to use it ! It ’s mechanically put in piazza when you perform a macOS initiation and update to the in vogue rendering during macOS upgrade . But , in certain subject , the partition could be corrupted , overwritten , or deleted , or not copied in the case of cloning or restoring .
Check for the Recovery partition
you could find out whether the Recovery division is installed in several ways :
If you have a Recovery divider in place , you’re able to test that it starts up aright :
If you do n’t have a Recovery sectionalization or you ca n’t restart as above , proceed to reinstall , revive , or restore .
Reinstall, revive, or restore
The easiest next footprint is to reinstall macOS . Apple long ago give up bid an option to erase and install . reinstall is always a “ non - destructive ” installing : no drives or partition are erased . A Recovery partition will be added if missing or update if out of engagement .
In some case , if you encounter a job that forestall macOS reinstallation , it could be a more serious takings . Warning : Always secure you have a unadulterated Time Machine stand-in , knockoff , or other copy , and you may then prosecute Apple ’s revive and restitute instructions , which command a second Mac and particular cable .
Apple put up elaborate direction for reviving or restoringIntel MacsandM1 - base Macs . I offer my insight into simplifying those instructions inthis March 2021 article .
Restoring your Mac via the method above willerase the Mac ’s contents . So do n’t go on with restoring unless you ’ve already sample reinstalling and reviving and have a complete backup . ( Two backups on unlike medium are even better . )
This Mac 911 clause is in response to a question submitted by Macworld reader Tony .
Ask Mac 911
We ’ve accumulate a list of the question we get asked most often , along with answers and links to columns : read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered . If not , we ’re always looking for new problem to solve ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com , let in screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used . Not every head will be answered , we do n’t reply to email , and we can not provide direct troubleshooting advice .
