Guide to Reinstall macOS via Internet Recovery Mode

Mac devices generally last longer than Windows PCs, thanks to rigorous software and security updates. This is why many users prefer them over their contemporary.

While Mac users hardly face any issues, a Mac computer is still a piece of technology bound to encounter issues like disk errors or OS corruption that render it unusable or unbootable. Fortunately, you can use the Mac internet recovery mode to resolve various Mac issues.

What is Mac Internet Recovery Mode?

The macOS Internet recovery mode became accessible on Apple computers launched after 2009 and with an updated macOS version. It is a built-in utility that helps reinstall macOS on faulty or unbootable Macs.

Additionally, this mode allows users to repair internal storage devices, restore files from a Time Machine backup, and manage security options, among other uses. However, to use this mode, your Mac must be connected to an active internet connection.

Need to Reinstall macOS via Internet Recovery Mode

If there are disk errors on your Mac or your macOS has become unstable due to a recently installed buggy update, it’s always best to reinstall macOS to eliminate any underlying issues. Other reasons behind this issue could be –

• Unbootable Mac
• Instability due to underlying issues or bugs
• When you need to sell your Mac computer
• When you want to revert to the older macOS version

Reinstall macOS via Mac Internet Recovery Mode

While Internet Recovery doesn’t affect the files and data, it is recommended to back up your important files on iCloud, time machine, or an external drive as any wrong selection might result in data loss.

Once you have taken a backup of your files, follow the step-by-step guide illustrated below. We have shared ways to use the Internet Recovery mode on both Intel-based and Apple Silicon Macs.

Internet Recovery on Apple Silicon-Powered Mac Computers:

• Shut down the computer.
• Press and hold the power button until you see the ‘Loading startup options’ on the screen.
• Select Options.

• Click on Continue.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

Internet Recovery on Intel-Powered Mac Computers:

• Shut down your Mac computer.
• Press the power button and use either of the below key combinations based on your requirements –
  • Press and hold Option+Command+R to install the latest version of macOS.
  • Press and hold Option+Shift+Command+R to reinstall your computer’s original macOS along with the available updates.
  • Press and hold Command+R to reinstall the current version of macOS.

• The Recovery app window will appear. Click on Reinstall, and then continue.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.
• In the Settings, select your current macOS volume.

What to Do in Case of Inaccessible Recovery Mode?

As mentioned above, the Internet Recovery mode is accessible on Mac computers released after 2009. If you are using an older Mac with macOS older than OSX snow leopard, you will not be able to use it.

Another reason behind inaccessible Mac Internet Recovery mode could be an unstable or no internet connection. Check your internet connection and try again.

Faulty NVRAM or PRAM (on an Intel-based Mac computer) could be another reason your Mac cannot boot in recovery mode. You can try fixing this by resetting the NVRAM or PRAM. Turn OFF your Mac, press the Power Button and immediately, long press the Command + Options + P + R key combination. The computer will reboot twice. Release the keys after that.

The workarounds mentioned above should help you start internet recovery on your Mac. However, if the problem is severe and you are unable to access recovery mode on your Mac, quickly employ a professional Mac data recovery software to rescue your files safely.

Whether it is a corrupted drive, unbootable, or unstable Mac, you can use Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac to recover your files and data. The software searches for your data in every sector of the native disk drive. And thanks to its Deep Scan feature, it allows bit-by-bit scan of the drive to locate any recoverable file/data.

In addition, the software can perform a S.M.A.R.T. scan on the native Mac disk drive or connected external drives for checking drive vitals. Finally, it also brings disk imaging capabilities to create exact copies of the corrupted disk drives.

If your Mac is freezing or performing abnormally, follow the detailed steps to locate and safely recover your files –

• Download and install Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac on your Mac.
• Connect an external storage drive to your Mac.
• On the first screen, select the type of data you want to recover. Click Next.
• On the next screen, select the native storage drive of your Mac.
• Click on Scan.
• The software will show all the recoverable files.
• Click on Recover to recover the files safely onto the connected external drive.

If you have an unbootable or crashing Mac, refer to this guide to recover data from an unbootable Mac.

Wrapping Up

The Internet Recovery Mode is a swift way to deal with issues like disk errors and reinstalling macOS. You can also use this built-in utility for other purposes, such as eliminating disk errors via Disk Utility, modifying security policies, accessing Terminal, and restoring data via Time Machine backup.

However, this mode should only be used as a last resort when all the conventional methods fail. Also, before proceeding with this step, be mindful of the associated data loss risks and backup your data on a separate external drive.

Were you able to successfully reinstall macOS using the above steps? Let us know in the comments.