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Mac users don’t typically need to create a recovery partition as the latest versions of macOS come with a built-in recovery partition, which is created automatically during installation. However, in some instances, the partition may not be created during installation, and you may need to create one manually. In this article, we’ll show you how to create a Mac recovery partition for every version of macOS, including Mavericks and earlier.
Reasons to Create a Recovery Partition
In some cases, the recovery partition may not be sufficient. For instance, if the hard drive on which the partition is stored fails catastrophically, you may need a recovery drive saved on a removable storage medium. We have a separate article explaining how to create a Mac recovery disc.
Perform a Clean Install of macOS
The easiest way to create a recovery partition is to completely reinstall macOS. This will activate the recovery partition creation process a second time. However, this method is quite drastic and time-consuming. Here’s how to do a clean install of High Sierra:
Step 1: Make a Backup
Make sure to back up your Mac before proceeding. Check out our roundup of the best Mac backup software for suitable options.
Step 2: Download and Save the High Sierra Installation File
Download the High Sierra installation file from the Mac App Store and save it to a removable disk of 8 GB or more. Ensure that the disk is formatted as a Mac OS Extended (journaled) volume with a GUID partition table.
Step 3: Create a Bootable USB Drive
Create a bootable USB drive using Terminal, and use it to install a new copy of High Sierra on your Mac. Restore your apps and settings from a Time Machine backup or manually download them again once the installation is complete.
Create a Recovery Partition in Older Versions of macOS
The previous steps apply to the latest versions of macOS. To create a recovery partition in Mavericks or earlier, follow these steps:
Step 1: Make a Backup
Make sure to back up your Mac before proceeding as the following process modifies your hard drive to create the recovery partition.
Step 2: Download the Installation File
Download the appropriate version of the installation file for your version of macOS. If you’re using an older version like Mavericks, you can use the Recovery Partition Creator tool created by Christopher Silvertooth to streamline the process.
Step 3: Download Recovery Partition Creator 3.8
Download the Recovery Partition Creator tool, extract the installation file, and double-click the icon to launch it.
Step 4: Create the Partition
Follow the on-screen instructions to create the partition using the Recovery Partition Creator tool.
Creating a Mac recovery partition can help you restore your system in the event of a failure. With the steps outlined above, you can create one for any version of macOS.
FAQs
1. How do I access the recovery partition on my Mac?
Press and hold the Command + R keys during startup to access the recovery partition.
2. Can I still create a recovery partition if I already have one?
There’s no need to create a recovery partition if you already have one. However, you can still create one manually using the steps above.