Quick Macbook recovery keys
Recovery:
Safe Mode:
Startup with shift pressed
Reset PRAM/SMC:
– Command, Option (Alt), P and R, and turn on the Mac (it’s the same keys to reset the PRAM).
– Keep holding the keys down until you hear the 2nd chime + Mac restart again.
– Listen for a second reboot, and then release the keys.
Reset the SMC:
– Shut down the MacBook.
– Unplug and then reconnect the power cable.
– Press Shift + Ctrl + Option/Alt keys and the power button at the same time.
– Now release all those keys and the power button at the same time.
– You may see the light on the power cable flicker.
– Restart your MacBook.
Beeping:
One tone repeating every five seconds
– This means there’s no RAM installed in the Mac, so install some!
Three successive tones and a five second pause, repeating on a loop
– This means the RAM has failed an integrity check; replace it.
One long tone while holding the power button
– An EFI ROM update is in progress on pre-2012 Macs.
Three long tones, three short tones, and then three more long tones
– Mac is in EFI ROM recovery mode.
