Cannot get Intel iMac (Late 2014) to boot in recovery mode - is it supported on something this old?

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Level 1

4 points

Cannot get Intel iMac (Late 2014) to boot in recovery mode - is it supported on something this old?

I have this Intel-based iMac (Late 2014 model) that I want to sell (good luck there ;) ) and I am trying to reinitialize it before doing so.

I have a USB Mac keyboard connected to that I know works as I use that keyboard to entry tex on the computer in question. But when I try the Command + R (and other variations) after booting it does not come up in recovery mode, it comes up in normal mode (main login screen).

Should I be able to boot this particular model in recovery mode, and if so, how?

Thanks in advance!

iMac 27″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Nov 11, 2024 11:23 AM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

144,144 points

Nov 11, 2024 12:05 PM in response to hokie81

Please follow the steps in What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac otherwise the computer will always be associated with your Apple Account!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Answer 2

hokie81 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 11, 2024 9:10 PM in response to hokie81

I found the problem... I was using an Apple keyboard with the numeric keypad (whatever that is) that had a lightning to usb cable which i had mistakenly assumed made this a USB / wired keyboard, but alas it was still a _wireless_ keyboard that wouldn't work in recovery mode. When I switched to a wired keyboard I was able to get into recovery mode with no problems... @rkaufmann87 I have followed those procedures - thanks for the reminder!

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Answer 3

6x6

Level 6

15,536 points

Nov 11, 2024 11:31 AM in response to hokie81

Recovery mode should work fine on your iMac. Do keep pressing command + R until you see the recovery screen. This can take several minutes.

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Answer 4

Nov 11, 2024 7:27 PM in response to hokie81

I have the best luck invoking recovery mode when I press command-R immediately when I hear the startup chime. Continue to press those keys until you see the Apple logo and progress bar.

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