Verified for macOS Tahoe 26.2
Fix Guide: Mac "Recovery Mode" Not Working
Symptom: You try to boot into Recovery Mode (Cmd+R or holding Power), but the Mac just boots normally or shows a "Support" icon with a URL.
Why this happens
This is usually caused by a corrupted "Recovery Partition" or a failure in the local "Startup Security Utility" settings on Intel T2 or Apple Silicon Macs.
Fix 1: Use Internet Recovery (Free)
If the local partition is gone, you can pull a fresh recovery image from Apple's servers.
**Intel Mac**
- Hold `Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + R` and press Power.
- You will see a globe icon. Select your Wi-Fi and wait.
**Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)**
- Hold the Power button for 10 seconds until "Loading startup options" appears.
- If it fails, your firmware may need a "Revive" using another Mac and **Apple Configurator**.
Fix 2: Check System Integrity (Free)
**Open Terminal**
**Verify Partition**
- Look for a partition named `Recovery`. If it's missing, your drive needs a full reformat and OS reinstallation.
Fix 3: The "Peace of Mind" Path
When you need to know your system is healthy before a disaster.
Recommended Tool: CleanMyMac X
- **Maintenance Module:** Regularly running "Repair Disk Permissions" ensures that the boot instructions and partitions stay healthy and reachable.
- **System Junk Cleanup:** Removing old update "leftovers" prevents the Recovery partition from becoming cluttered or corrupted during a macOS upgrade.
[Link: Keep your Mac's firmware healthy with CleanMyMac X]