If you are having issues getting Internet Recovery to work on your Mac, there are a few potential causes and solutions to try. Internet Recovery allows you to reinstall macOS and troubleshoot issues by downloading recovery data directly from Apple servers over an internet connection.
What is Internet Recovery?
Internet Recovery is a feature introduced by Apple in OS X Lion 10.7 that allows Macs to boot into a special recovery partition hosted on Apple’s servers. This allows you to reinstall macOS and troubleshoot issues by downloading the data over an internet connection rather than requiring local recovery partitions or physical recovery discs.
Some key things to know about Internet Recovery:
- It requires an internet connection – either Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
- The Mac contacts Apple’s servers directly to download recovery data.
- It allows you to reinstall the version of macOS that came pre-installed on your Mac.
- You can also install the latest macOS that is compatible with your hardware.
- It enters a limited recovery environment with utilities to reinstall macOS and troubleshoot issues.
Overall, Internet Recovery provides an convenient way to recover your Mac without physical media. However, it relies on having a working internet connection.
When is Internet Recovery used?
There are a few instances where your Mac will automatically boot into Internet Recovery mode:
- If your startup disk has completely failed and cannot be repaired.
- If your startup disk has been replaced or erased.
- If your startup disk becomes corrupted and cannot start up.
- If you install a new, blank SSD with no OS installed.
In these cases where the startup disk is non-functional, holding Command-R while booting will initiate Internet Recovery over the network connection.
You can also manually boot into Internet Recovery mode by holding down Option-Command-R at startup, which forces network recovery.
Requirements for Internet Recovery
In order for Internet Recovery to work properly, the following requirements must be met:
- A Mac introduced in mid 2011 or later – Models introduced earlier do not support Internet Recovery.
- Wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection – Internet Recovery needs access to a network.
- Apple servers online – The servers must be up and reachable for recovery data.
- Supported version of macOS – macOS versions older than Lion 10.7 cannot be reinstalled.
If any of these requirements are not met, you may have issues using Internet Recovery. For example, if you have an older Mac or no network connection, it will fail to work.
Common causes of Internet Recovery failures
If you are trying to use Internet Recovery but it is not working, here are some common causes to check:
No wired or Wi-Fi network connection
Internet Recovery relies on having network access to contact Apple’s servers. If you don’t have a wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection active during the recovery process, it will fail with network errors.
Make sure Ethernet is plugged in or join an available Wi-Fi network before initiating recovery. Also try resetting your network settings and modem/router if connecting keeps failing.
Older Mac model
Internet Recovery only works on Macs from mid 2011 and newer. Models from 2010 or earlier do not have network recovery capabilities.
If your Mac is older than mid 2011, you will need to use a physical recovery drive instead of Internet Recovery.
Firewalls or network filters blocking access
Some firewalls, filters, or proxy servers may block the domains needed for Internet Recovery to work.
Try temporarily disabling any firewall or web filtering software on your network to see if that resolves the problem.
Server or network issues
In rare cases, connectivity issues to Apple’s servers or other network problems can disrupt Internet Recovery.
Check Apple’s system status page to see if there are any known outages. You can also try again later in case of transient network problems.
Old or incompatible version of macOS
Internet Recovery allows you to install the macOS version that came pre-installed on your Mac, or the latest compatible version.
However, it cannot install versions of macOS earlier than OS X Lion 10.7. So if your Mac initially had an older OS, you may need to use a physical recovery drive instead.
Hard drive issues
For Internet Recovery to reinstall macOS, the internal hard drive or SSD must be working properly.
If you suspect drive errors or failures, you can try running Disk Utility from the recovery partition to check and repair the drive.
Apple T2 security chip problems
On newer Macs with the Apple T2 security chip, issues with the chip firmware can prevent Internet Recovery from working.
You may need to enter DFU mode and install the latest firmware to get past these problems.
How to fix Internet Recovery
If you’ve determined why Internet Recovery is not working, here are steps to fix it:
- Connect to wired Ethernet or a Wi-Fi network.
- Check Apple’s system status page for outages.
- Disable firewalls, filters, or proxy servers temporarily.
- Update the Apple T2 chip firmware if applicable.
- Try a physical macOS recovery drive if needed for an older Mac.
- Use Disk Utility to check and repair the hard drive.
- Contact Apple Support if issues persist.
In most cases, Internet Recovery problems can be resolved by establishing a good network connection, using a supported Mac model, and checking for any issues with the startup drive.
Physical recovery options
If you cannot get Internet Recovery to work, all hope is not lost. You have a few physical recovery options as well:
macOS recovery over Thunderbolt
You can connect another Mac to yours in target disk mode via Thunderbolt cable, then boot from the other Mac into recovery mode and reinstall macOS on your Mac.
macOS recovery on external drive
You can make a bootable macOS installer on an external USB drive or Thunderbolt drive and boot from that to reinstall macOS.
Apple macOS recovery disc
For older Macs, you can use an official macOS recovery disc that came with your model to reinstall the OS.
As a last resort, contact Apple support to order a physical recovery disc for your Mac model.
Using Internet Recovery mode
If you get Internet Recovery working, here is an overview of how to use it:
- Hold Command-R while booting to enter Internet Recovery.
- Choose your preferred language.
- Use Disk Utility if you need to erase, format or repair your startup disk.
- Go to Utilities > Reinstall macOS to begin reinstalling macOS.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation process.
Internet Recovery provides a simple interface to reinstall macOS and troubleshoot drive issues without needing physical media. Utilize Disk Utility for formatting or repairs prior to reinstallation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Mac models support Internet Recovery?
Mac models introduced in mid 2011 or later support Internet Recovery. This includes MacBook Air (mid 2011), MacBook Pro (early 2011), Mac mini (mid 2011), and iMac (mid 2011) models.
Can I use Wi-Fi for Internet Recovery?
Yes, Internet Recovery works over Wi-Fi as well as wired Ethernet. Make sure to connect to a Wi-Fi network before initiating recovery.
Does Internet Recovery download the full OS?
Internet Recovery initially boots just a recovery partition from Apple’s servers. It then downloads the full macOS installer in the background when you select to reinstall the OS.
Is my data erased during Internet Recovery?
Reinstalling macOS erases the startup disk. However, you can backup data to iCloud or an external drive beforehand.
Summary
When used properly, Internet Recovery provides a convenient way to reinstall macOS without local media. Requirements like network access and Mac model must be met, and any firewall or drive issues addressed. With the right circumstances, it can be a handy recovery tool. But physical media provides an alternative when needed.