Before you begin:
- Back up your data: This is crucial as a restore will erase your entire hard drive. If you haven’t already, use Time Machine to create a backup of your important files.
- Stable internet connection: Internet Recovery downloads the macOS installer, so a reliable internet connection is essential for a smooth process.
- Power source: Make sure your Macbook is plugged into a power source throughout the restore process.
Starting Internet Recovery:
- Shut down your Macbook completely.
- Power on your Macbook.
- Immediately press and hold the following key combination:
- Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + R This will boot your Macbook into Internet Recovery mode. You might hear the startup chime, but keep holding the keys until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
Internet Recovery Menu:
Once the boot process finishes, you’ll see the macOS Utilities window. This menu offers various options, but you’ll likely use two for restoring your Macbook:
- Reinstall macOS: This option reinstalls the latest version of macOS that was compatible with your Macbook when it shipped.
- Restore from Time Machine backup: If you have a Time Machine backup, you can use this option to restore your files and settings from the backup.
Reinstalling macOS with Internet Recovery:
- Select the option “Reinstall macOS” from the macOS Utilities window.
- Click “Continue” and follow the on-screen instructions. These will guide you through selecting the disk where you want to install macOS, agreeing to the software license agreement, and starting the installation process.
- The download and installation process can take some time depending on your internet speed. The Macbook might restart during the installation. Let it complete without interrupting the process.
Restoring from a Time Machine Backup (Optional):
- If you have a Time Machine backup, select the option “Restore from Time Machine backup” from the macOS Utilities window.
- Click “Continue” and choose your Time Machine backup disk from the available options.
- You might be prompted to enter the password for your Time Machine backup.
- The restore process will then begin, which can take a while depending on the size of your backup.
After the Restore:
- Once the restore process finishes, your Macbook will restart.
- If you reinstalled macOS, you might go through the initial setup process again, just like when you first set up your Macbook.
- If you restored from a Time Machine backup, your files and settings should be restored to the state they were in at the time of the backup.
Here are some additional resources that you might find helpful:
- Apple’s guide on using macOS Recovery: Intro to macOS Recovery - Apple Support
- Video tutorial on using Internet Recovery: [YouTube video on how to do internet recovery] (Remember, I can’t provide links directly)
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully restore your Macbook via Internet Recovery. Remember to back up your data beforehand!