How to boot M1 MacBook Pro into recovery mode in clamshell mode?

[Doc69]

How do I boot my M2 MacBook Pro into recovery mode when in clamshell mode? Since the Macbook is closed and in a vertical stand/dock, the power button is not accessible.

 

[chabig]

It's a two-step solution:

1) Remove the MacBook Pro from the dock and open the lid.
2) Press and hold the power button.

Of course, I'm trying to be funny, but that's the only way.

 

[Doc69]

It's a two-step solution:

1) Remove the MacBook Pro from the dock and open the lid.
2) Press and hold the power button.

Of course, I'm trying to be funny, but that's the only way.

Thanks, that was pretty funny! But crazy if this is the only way to do it. Holding down the Option button while rebooting, like on Intel Macs, was a much better solution imo. My MacBook Pro is not easily accessible when I use it in clamshell mode at home, which is most of the time.

 

[chabig]

Fortunately, the need for Recovery should be rare.

 

[Doc69]

Fortunately, the need for Recovery should be rare.

Unfortunately not. I have frequent consistency errors (and lately free space reporting issues) and need to run First Aid a lot, which seems better to run from Recovery than when booted up. I'm gonna call Apple this week to try and figure out why.

 

[Fishrrman]

Chabig may have "posted in humor" above, but in reality -- if you want/need to boot to recovery now and then, the m-series laptop is going to have to be opened up to do so.

There is "no other way".

 

[Doc69]

Chabig may have "posted in humor" above, but in reality -- if you want/need to boot to recovery now and then, the m-series laptop is going to have to be opened up to do so.

There is "no other way".

By the way, does this work the same on all M-series Macs, i.e. that you have to hold down the power button? So same on iMac, Mac Studio and mini?

 

[bogdanw]

Tested and working on MBA M1 Sonoma 14.1.1 with SIP disabled

sudo nvram boot-command=recover-once

and reboot;
or in one line

sudo nvram boot-command=recover-once; sudo reboot

 

[Fishrrman]

Thanks bog... didn't think it could be done!

 

[Doc69]

Tested and working on MBA M1 Sonoma 14.1.1 with SIP disabled

Thanks, I'll try it next time I reboot. But will it only work if SIP has been disabled?

 

[bogdanw]

But will it only work if SIP has been disabled?

Yes. With SIP enabled "Error setting variable - 'boot-command': (iokit/common) not permitted."