Apple Silicon Macs to Feature New Boot and Recovery Interface, New Mac Sharing Mode Replacing Target Disk Mode

Apple Silicon Macs will introduce a new system for accessing macOS recovery and security options at startup, Apple explained at a WWDC session on Wednesday.

apple silicon mac startup recovery screen

The new Startup UI on ‌Apple Silicon‌ powered Macs

Existing Macs include a number of macOS Recovery options at boot-up that are accessed using key combinations. For example, Command-R boots Macs in Recovery mode, and Command-Option-P-R resets the NVRAM. On ‌Apple Silicon‌ Macs, these key combinations are being replaced by an on-screen Startup Manager interface.

In the new system architecture, users can hold down the power button on their Mac to access the new startup screen, which features recovery options for reinstalling macOS, as well as options to boot as normal, shut down, and restart.

Apple is also replacing Target Disk Mode, which is used to transfer data between two Macs, with what's called Mac Sharing Mode. Mac Sharing Mode turns the system into an SMB file sharing server, providing another Mac with file-level access to user data. User authentication is required to access the service.

apple silicon mac startup security screen

The security modes on ‌Apple Silicon‌ powered Macs

In addition, Startup Disk is a new feature that enables user to select different security modes for startup volumes. Full security, enabled by default, provides the same best-in-class security as enjoyed by Apple's iOS devices and let users boot from an external disk without reducing the security of the system.

Meanwhile, Reduced security mode provides more flexibility by allowing users to disable System Integrity Protection and run any version of macOS, including those that are no longer signed by Apple.

Lastly, ‌Apple Silicon‌ Macs run separate security policies for each OS installation, whereas Intel-based Macs operate on a less flexible system-wide security policy. For more details on this and the other new startup features, check out the full WWDC session on the Apple developer website.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2024

Top Rated Comments

Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
49 months ago

But did they say anything about booting to other OSes? It was a question with Windows 10 for ARM in mind. Tens of millions people use Boot Camp, and a good part of this crowd use it daily.
Source?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macmanHEG Avatar
49 months ago

Buy a windows machine if you need it..
Why is this always an acceptable answer for you lot?

So now instead of my overpriced Mac I now have to buy two equivalent computers costing double what I needed initially?

Say what you like about bootcamp being under used or no one uses it but come on, options are nice. Especially when we are talking about apple and the apple tax.

I for one hope we get some solution for running Windows, seeing as gaming will be dead that's eGPU use out the window so I won't need bootcamp specifically so I'll take a VM instead.

And don't reply saying buy a gaming pc, that was just one use case of needing windows bare metal.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Janichsan Avatar
49 months ago

Meanwhile, Reduced security mode provides more flexibility by allowing users to disable System Integrity Protection and run any version of macOS, including those that are no longer signed by Apple.
Oh, that's surprisingly open minded from Apple. I wouldn't have expected that.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r Avatar
49 months ago

Source?
Who remembers Hetfield's "I am the table"?

Somewhat similarly, I could state I am the source :)
To explain: so I develop some drivers and tools for Boot Camp, and counting just two primary download mirrors these have been downloaded millions of times by unique users. Yet it's safe to assume much bigger group of Boot Camp users may not even know about them, because I never truly advertized anything. For example: I don't run any banners, ever. I don't even have any YouTube video on this topic, and neither related social network accounts. But people anyway find and download the drivers. To me personally this situation is an indirect (but still reliable) proof how big the real Boot Camp users community is. As for the daily usage: I have long-term and daily email feedback from people where it's almost always mentioned they use their Boot Camp daily (and really need it).
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bryce13950 Avatar
49 months ago

Boot Camp will be going away. I think 10's of millions is a little high. Most colleagues of mine that have a Mac at home with their iPhone's, iPads's and use a Win Box for work, simply bring a work Win Laptop to and from home if they need to access their companies system with a Win Device. Granted, I know more people with iMacs than MBP's.

The only reason for Boot Camp any longer IMO is for the Mac user who also wants to be a "casual" Win PC gamer without wanting a separate box for each. But, that's simply my opinion. :apple:
If I have to buy two computers to run windows and macOS, then I will probably stop using macOS. I use Windows a lot for development as well as gaming. I would rather have one computer running Debian and Windows than two computers running macOS and Windows. If there is no solution to boot camp by the next time I need to buy a computer, then I will be waving goodbye to Apple.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ma2k5 Avatar
49 months ago

Placeholder graphic or will one of the next Apple Silicon Macs indeed be the MacBook Pro?
I was skeptical at first of a MBP, thinking it’ll be some MBA type machine - but it makes sense for them to deliver pro hardware using Arm so developers take it seriously.

This will help speed up the transition.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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