If your Mac doesn't start up all the way

If your Mac doesn't start up all the way or needs you to do something during startup, it might stop at one of these screens.

Question mark

Learn what to do if your Mac starts up to a question mark.

Circle with a line through it

Learn what to do if your Mac starts up to a circle with a line through it (prohibitory symbol).

Globe with warning symbol

A globe with a warning symbol (exclamation point) means that your Mac tried to start up from macOS Recovery over the internet, but couldn't. Learn what to do if you can't start up from macOS Recovery.

Apple logo

Learn what to do if your Mac starts up to an Apple logo or progress bar.

Blank (empty) screen

Learn what to do if your Mac starts up to a blank screen, such as an empty gray, black, or blue screen.

Options with a gear icon

Learn what to do if your Mac starts up to Options with a gear icon, also known as startup options.

Exclamation point in a circle

Learn what to do if your Mac starts up to an exclamation point in a circle.

Recovery Assistant

Learn what to do if your Mac starts up to Recovery Assistant, with a first-aid symbol (cross in a circle) and the message that your Mac encountered an issue while starting.

Lock icon

If your Mac is using a firmware password, the lock icon appears when you try to start up from another disk or volume, such as an external drive or macOS Recovery. Enter the firmware password to continue.

Login window

At the login window, enter your user account password to log in to your Mac. If FileVault is turned on, this also unlocks your disk. You might see a default desktop picture in the background, which might change to your chosen desktop picture when you select your account. The login window appears only after you log out of your user account (Apple menu  > Log Out) or restart or start up your Mac. Learn what to do if you forgot your login password.

Activation Lock or system lock PIN code

• If your previously owned Mac shows an Activation Lock window that asks for someone else's Apple Account, the previous owner may need to remove Activation Lock for you. Learn about Activation Lock on Mac.

• Your Mac might ask for a PIN code when it has been remotely locked using Find My because the owner thinks the Mac is lost or stolen. Enter the four-digit or six-digit passcode to continue.

Image of mouse or keyboard

If you see a line drawing of the underside of a Magic Mouse or backside of a Magic Keyboard, with a small arrow next to the power switch in the drawing, your Mac can’t detect your built-in or external mouse, trackpad, or keyboard. Learn what to do if your keyboard or mouse won’t connect during Mac setup.

Display icon with warning symbol

A large display icon with a warning symbol against a dark background on your Apple Studio Display means that your Studio Display is in recovery mode.

Thunderbolt, USB, or FireWire symbol

A large Thunderbolt , USB , or FireWire symbol against a dark background means that your Mac is in target disk mode.