Mac Startup Symbol Reference

What each Mac startup symbol means, and which stage of boot it points at.

What you provide

Filter by symbol or description.

Result

8 startup symbols

Each symbol narrows the fault to a stage of startup, which is more useful than it sounds: a Mac that draws the Apple logo has already passed its firmware checks and found a disk, so the problem is software, while a Mac that draws nothing at all has not got that far and the problem is almost certainly hardware. The one symbol with no route through software is the firmware padlock — a firmware password can only be removed by Apple with proof of purchase, and no tool resets it, whatever its marketing says.

Diagnostic telemetry
Folder with a question markHold Option at startup to pick a disk. If none appears, the drive has failed or its connection has, and on newer machines that means the logic board.
No startup disk was found — the Mac looked for a bootable system and did not find one.
Prohibitory sign (circle with a line)Usually a macOS version too old for the hardware, or a wrong-architecture installer. Reinstall the version the machine shipped with or later.
A startup disk was found but its system cannot run on this Mac.
Grey or black screen, no chimeRules out software almost entirely. Disconnect every peripheral, then reset NVRAM and the SMC on Intel machines. On Apple silicon, hold the power button for ten seconds.
The Mac is not reaching the point of drawing anything.
Apple logo, progress bar stallsLeave it — a stalled bar after an update can genuinely take an hour. If it does not move, boot into Recovery and run First Aid on the disk.
The system is loading but not completing.
Circle with a slash on Apple siliconReinstall macOS from Recovery. This appears after a failed update or an interrupted installation.
The system on the disk is not signed or has been altered.
Globe with alertWired Ethernet or a different network. Captive-portal Wi-Fi does not work for Internet Recovery.
Internet Recovery could not reach Apple's servers.
Login window loopsUsually a corrupt preference or a login item. Boot into safe mode by holding Shift, which skips login items.
The system boots but cannot complete login.
Padlock with a passcode fieldOnly Apple can remove it, and only with proof of purchase. It is not resettable by any tool.
A firmware password is set.

What this cannot tell you

  • A reference for what each symbol indicates, not a repair procedure. Several point at hardware faults that need a service centre.
  • A firmware password can only be removed by Apple with proof of purchase. No tool resets it, whatever its marketing claims.
  • Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is looked up, transmitted or stored.

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