Apple’s Silicon Macs will feature a new system for accessing macOS recovery and security options at startup, per a virtual WWDC session on Wednesday.
While 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.
For the new architecture, users can hold down the power button to access the new startup screen. This screen will offer recovery options for reinstalling macOS, as well as options to boot as normal, shut down, and restart.
Apple will also be replacing Target Disk Mode, which allows data to be shared between two Macs, with “Mac Sharing Mode.” This will turn 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.
A new Startup Disk feature will allow users to enable different security modes for startup volumes. Full security, which is enabled by default, allows users to boot from an external disk. A 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.
Finally, Apple Silicon Macs run separate security policies for each OS installation, whereas Intel-based Macs operate on a less flexible system-wide security policy.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via MacRumors and developer.apple.com
