To use any of these key combinations, press and hold the keys immediately after pressing the power button to turn on your Mac, or after your Mac begins to restart. Keep holding until the described behavior occurs.
- 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. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're prompted to enter the password.
- Option (⌥) or Alt: Start up to Startup Manager, which allows you to choose other available startup disks or volumes. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're prompted to enter the password.
- Option-Command-P-R:Reset NVRAM or PRAM. If your Mac is using a firmware password, it ignores this key combination or starts up from macOS Recovery.
- Shift (⇧): Start up in safe mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- D: Start up to the Apple Diagnostics utility. Or use Option-Dto start up to this utility over the Internet. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- N: Start up from a NetBoot server, if your Mac supports network startup volumes. To use the default boot image on the server, hold down Option-N instead. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- Command-S: Start up in single-user mode. Disabled in macOS Mojave or later, or when using a firmware password.
- T: Start up in target disk mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- Command-V: Start up in verbose mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- Eject (⏏) or F12 or mouse button or trackpad button: Eject removable media, such as an optical disc. Disabled when using a firmware password.
When your Mac powers up, it normally uses the system on its internal hard drive unless you change this behavior by choosing System Preferences@@→Startup Disk. You can also change what your Mac does by holding down the following keys or key combinations during startup. Print these boot option keys, because they’re particularly helpful to have. The Mac Option key has different functions depending on the application and key combination. The most common and probably most frequently used commands are. Copy files: If you would like to copy and move files in the Finder, hold down the Option key while dragging the files with the mouse.As soon as the mouse hovers over the desired location, let go, and a copy of the file will be saved in. If for any reason you are using a PC keyboard with Mac OS X you may need to use some abbreviations that require the Option button. But in the previous lines of this guide, I specified that the Option key coincides with Alt, so if you use a Windows keyboard just press the Alt button to signal the option to OSX. Likewise, the Windows / Microsoft button coincides with Command while there are no. Press 'Alt' on your PC keyboard when you need to 'Option Click'. Your computer will detect an.
If a key combination doesn't work
If a key combination doesn't work at startup, one of these these solutions might help:
- Be sure to press and hold all keys in the combination together, not one at a time.
- Shut down your Mac. Then press the power button to turn on your Mac. Then press and hold the keys as your Mac starts up.
- 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.
- 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.
Remember that some key combinations are disabled when your Mac is using a firmware password.
Learn more
- Learn what to do if your Mac doesn't turn on.
- Learn about Mac keyboard shortcuts that you can use after your Mac has started up.
The Mac Option key is a special key – also known as the Alt or Opt key. Compared with other operating systems, its functionalities are similar to the Alt key on Windows computers in many respects.
- What functions does the Mac Option key have?
Where can you find the Option key on Macs?
Two Option keys can usually be found on a Mac keyboard. They are positioned to the left and right of the space bar and are marked by the ⌥ symbol.
On newer Mac keyboard models, the Option key sometimes bears the label “option”. On older models, you will find the term “alt” on the key.
What functions does the Mac Option key have?
The Mac Option key has different functions depending on the application and key combination. The most common and probably most frequently used commands are:
- Copy files: If you would like to copy and move files in the Finder, hold down the Option key while dragging the files with the mouse. As soon as the mouse hovers over the desired location, let go, and a copy of the file will be saved in the respective location. Holding the Command key in addition to the Option key while dragging will save an alias of the file.
- Close all windows: Hold down the Option key and click on the “close window” symbol to close all open windows automatically in the program currently in use. If a file contains any unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you wish to save the changes before closing the file. This function is very useful as a shortcut in Word or Finder, for example.
- Special characters: Some keys can be used to insert special characters. For instance, pressing the Mac Option key with L will insert the @ symbol.
- Navigate:In a text program, you can hold down the Option key and press the left and right arrows to navigate from one word to another.
Overview: additional commands and combinations with the Mac Option key
Besides the functions already mentioned, there are many more applications for the Mac Option key that enable faster controls. Here is an overview of some practical commands:
Key combination | Command |
Option key + Command key + ESC | The window to close apps immediately will launch. Select the corresponding application and force it to close. |
Option key + Command key + power button | Puts your Mac to sleep. |
Ctrl + Option key + Command key + power button | Ends all running apps and then shuts down the Mac. If open documents contain unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you wish to save them. |
Option key + Command key + L | Opens the “Downloads” folder. |
Option key + Command key + D | Hides/shows the “Dock”. |
Option key + Command key + backspace | If you have selected one or more files in the Finder, this key combination allows you to delete the selected files immediately. |
Option key + double-click | Double-click on a folder in the Finder while holding down the Option key in order to open it in a new window and close the current window. |
Option key + backspace | Deletes the word to the left of the cursor. |
To speed up work with your Apple device, there are even more Mac shortcuts available.