List of Startup Key Combinations for Mac

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Most of the time, a Mac “just works.” But sometimes, you may need to re-boot your Mac to enter disk utility, recovery mode or safe mode. This will cover how to do it with an Intel-based and an Apple Silicon Mac.

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Intel Based Mac:

Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button as your Mac starts up.
Release the power button when you see the startup options screen, which shows your startup disks and a gear icon labeled Options.
From this window you can start up from a different disk, start up in safe mode, use macOS Recovery, and more.

Apple Silicon base Mac:

Press and hold all keys in the combination together, not one at a time.
If you can’t get a key combination to work when restarting your Mac, shut down your Mac first. If you can’t shut down, press and hold the power button for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off. Then press and hold the key combination after pressing the power button to turn on your Mac.
You might need to wait a few seconds before pressing the keys, to give your Mac more time to recognize the keyboard as it starts up. Some keyboards have a light that flashes briefly at startup, indicating that the keyboard is recognized and ready for use.
If you’re using a wireless keyboard, plug it into your Mac, if possible. Or use your built-in keyboard or a wired keyboard. If you’re using a keyboard made for a PC, such as a keyboard with a Windows logo, try a keyboard made for Mac.
Some key combinations don’t work when your Mac is using a firmware password. Turn off the firmware password first.
If you’re using Boot Camp to start up from Microsoft Windows, set Startup Disk preferences to start up from macOS instead. Then shut down or restart and try again.