When I press command and R together after right when I power on or reboot and hold it, it doesn’t go to recovery mode. I don’t think I should need to reset nvram, and I don’t think that partition is corrupt, the computer is a week old (2023 15” air). I feel like I’ve had this issue before but don’t recall what I was doing wrong. Any ideas?
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Command R for recovery mode not working
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Apple Silicon (such as your new MBAir M2) is different from older intel Macs for booting to Recovery mode.
When you start (or restart), just continue to hold the power button, until you see the Startup Options window. Click the gear labeled Options, then Continue
When you start (or restart), just continue to hold the power button, until you see the Startup Options window. Click the gear labeled Options, then Continue
As @DeltaMac says:
Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon
Learn how to use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon.
support.apple.com
Start up your computer in macOS Recovery
- On your Mac, choose Apple menu
> Shut Down.
Wait for your Mac to shut down completely. A Mac is completely shut down when the screen is black and any lights (including in the Touch Bar) are off. - Press and hold the power button on your Mac until the system volume and the Options button appear.
- Click the Options button, then click Continue.
- If asked, select a volume to recover, then click Next.
- Select an administrator account, then click Next.
- Enter the password for the administrator account, then click Continue.
When the Recovery app appears in the menu bar, you can choose any of the available options in the window or the menu bar.
No, the old recovery methods don't work at all on Apple Silicon Macs.The correct process is described in the post above yours.