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Mac mini M4 Pro Cannot Enable System Extensions or Recovery Mode

PigsOnTheWing

PigsOnTheWing

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 16, 2002
94
60
Orlando, FL
Like the title says, I am unable to enable system extensions or get my Mac mini M4 Pro to go into recovery mode. Directions say to shut down and then hold in the power button until you get to startup security utility or recovery menu. No amount of holding in the power button gets me anywhere. After about 30 seconds the mini just shuts itself down again. What, if anything, am I doing wrong?
 
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When you hold the power button (with power off), you should see something like "Continue holding for startup options" below the Apple logo on screen... then after a bit it'll say "Startup options" and you can let go of the button, it'll continue starting into Recovery. Offhand I can't think of what you might be doing wrong... but ensure you disconnect ALL accessories other than keyboard/mouse/one display, and I'd recommend a HDMI display.
 
Ben J. said:
There is no "enabling system extensions" anymore. That was twenty years ago. What are you looking to enable?
Click to expand...

ExtFS for Mac. Worked great on old Mac mini. Won't operate on new Mac mini without enabling system extensions. There is still a setting for it in 15.1, so, ah, 20 years ago has nothing to do with it. And, forget about whether something is requesting it, I still can't get to Startup Security Utility or Recovery menu. Recovery isn't 20 years ago. It's 20 minutes ago. And it ain't working. 🤣
 
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FreakinEurekan said:
When you hold the power button (with power off), you should see something like "Continue holding for startup options" below the Apple logo on screen... then after a bit it'll say "Startup options" and you can let go of the button, it'll continue starting into Recovery. Offhand I can't think of what you might be doing wrong... but ensure you disconnect ALL accessories other than keyboard/mouse/one display, and I'd recommend a HDMI display.
Click to expand...

That's just it. I hold the power button in at its convenient location under the machine, and the light comes on, shortly after which my keyboard lights up, but my display remains black, and after about 30 seconds of still holding the power button, the machine then turns itself off. Rinse and repeat. 🤷‍♂️
 
Ben J. said:
ExtFS for Mac

Says no enabling necessary, just install and you're off.
Click to expand...

Interesting, because it keeps popping up with a window telling me I need to enable system extensions. I still need a solution for Recovery. I could have used it earlier today but ended up having to go with Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
 
Ben J. said:
ExtFS for Mac

Says no enabling necessary, just install and you're off.
Click to expand...

Note also that it says the app is not activated underneath. Yes, I own it. No, I can't activate it. Why? Because this popup asking me to enable system extensions ain't going away anytime soon! 🤣

ExtFS for Mac.jpg
 
I'm on Ventura and there is no such setting in the security&privacy here.
I'll leave it at that.
 
PigsOnTheWing said:
That's just it. I hold the power button in at its convenient location under the machine, and the light comes on, shortly after which my keyboard lights up, but my display remains black, and after about 30 seconds of still holding the power button, the machine then turns itself off. Rinse and repeat. 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
Maybe a display that isn’t active until booted - is it USB possibly? If so try HDMI (even a TV set) to get into Recovery
 
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