12/2/2017 Startup key combinations for Mac - Apple Support

Startup key combinations for Mac

Some Mac features and tools are available by holding down one or more keyboard keys
during startup. 
To use any of these key combinations, press and hold the keys immediately after pressing the power
button to turn on your Mac, or immediately after your Mac begins to restart. Keep holding until the
described behavior occurs.
If your Mac is using a firmware password, all of these key combinations are disabled, except as noted below.
Hold during startup Description
Shift (⇧) Start up in safe mode.
Option (⌥) Start up to Startup Manager, which allows you to choose other startup
disks, if available. 
If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're asked to enter the password first.
C Start up from an available CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive that contains a
valid operating system for your Mac. Or use Startup Manager, as
described above.
D Start up from the built-in Apple Hardware Test or Apple Diagnostics
utility, depending on your Mac model. Or use Option-D to start up from
this utility over the Internet.
N Start up from a compatible NetBoot server, if available. To use the
default boot image on the NetBoot server, hold down Option-N instead.
Command-R Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery system. Or use Option-
Command-R or Shift-Option-Command-R to start up from macOS
Recovery over the Internet. macOS Recovery installs different versions
of macOS, depending on the key combination you use while starting up.
Option-Command (⌘)-P-R Reset NVRAM (or PRAM).
If your Mac is using a firmware password, this combination causes your Mac to start
up from macOS Recovery instead. Turn off the firmware password from macOS
Recovery, then restart and reset NVRAM.
Command-S Start up in single-user mode.
T Start up in target disk mode.
X Start up from your macOS startup disk when your Mac would otherwise
start up from a non-macOS startup disk, such as a Windows
partition. Or use Startup Manager, as described above.
Command-V Start up in verbose mode.
Eject (⏏), F12, mouse button, Eject removable media, such as an optical disc.
or trackpad button
These combinations work with Intel-based Mac computers. Other Mac keyboard shortcuts are available
after your Mac has started up.
Published Date: Oct 25, 2017

https://support.apple.com/en-nz/HT201255 1/2
12/2/2017 Startup key combinations for Mac - Apple Support

Helpful? Yes No 68% of people found this helpful.

Contact Apple Support

Need help? Save time by starting your support request
online and we'll connect you to an expert.
Get started 
Support Startup key combinations for Mac

More ways to shop: Call 0800-692-7753 or find a reseller.

Copyright © 2017 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Use Sales and Refunds Site Map Contact Apple New Zealand (English)

https://support.apple.com/en-nz/HT201255 2/2