Mac error: The recovery server could not be reached

21 May 2020 9 October 2020 / From Jen Kleinholz / The omniscient garbage dump / 11 comments

Chapter in this post:

1 causes: The recovery server could not be reached
2 Solving the Mac error for a clean macOS installation
3 Establish a new Internet connection, ideally via LAN
4 Set the system time in the system settings or via the terminal
5 Similar posts

If you z. If, for example, you want to install an operating system using the recovery mode of the Apple Mac, this can lead to an error The recovery server could not be reached come. There are various reasons for this and, accordingly, various possible solutions. In this guide you will find help for eliminating the error so that the desired installation of macOS works. If your solution is not included below, please leave a comment so that I can add it.

The recovery server could not be reached - Here you can find the cause and solution for the Mac error when installing macOS in recovery mode.

Sir Apfelot recommendation: Clean up your Mac hard drive with CleanMyMac

Causes: The recovery server could not be reached

The Mac OS error or macOS error that throws the message "The recovery server could not be reached" can have various causes. If a cause from the following list could apply to you, you will find the corresponding solutions under the next subheading:

Internet connection was interrupted, for example the WLAN connection
The system time (and time zone) does not match the current time

Solving the Mac error for a clean macOS installation

Whether it's reinstalling the original Mac OS that came with the Mac, iMac, or MacBook, or installing the latest macOS onto an empty, newly installed hard drive - there are many situations in which the named error could occur. If you cannot install the Apple operating system, you can use the following solutions.

Reconnect to the Internet, ideally via LAN

Since the current models of the Apple Mac no longer have a DVD drive, the operating system is loaded from the Internet during the restoration. If the server cannot be reached, this may be due to the internet connection. So checks whether the WLAN network can be reached and data can flow. If necessary, deletes the WLAN connection and re-establishes it by selecting the network and entering the password. Alternatively, you can connect the Apple Mac to the router using a LAN cable - this is the best solution for a permanently stable connection and a fast macOS download.

Set the system time in the system settings or via the terminal

Do you have access to the system settings, then call it the point Date / time on. Is the date and time correct? And if the information in the tab is correct time zone? If not, then correct that - ideally (with an existing Internet connection) by ticking "Set date and time automatically" and selecting "Apple Europe (time.europe.apple.com)". If that doesn't help or you can't access the settings, just use that Port. In recovery mode you can do it via menu bar -> Utilities -> Port call. In it give the order

ntpdate -u time.apple.com

or the command

sudo ntpdate -u time.apple.com

and confirms it with Enter. The system time should then correspond to the server time again and access to the recovery server should work. Isn't that the case with you? Feel free to leave a comment with your installation problem and / or your solution for it;)

The big Mac book for beginners and those switching: Currently on macOS 10.15 Catalina. Suitable for...

Rieger, Jörg (Author)

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He appears as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with problems of a technical nature. In his free time he drives electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with his iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions for current bugs.

Did you like the article and did the instructions on the blog help you? Then I would be happy if you the blog via a Steady Membership or at Patreon would support.

The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de

11 Responses to “Mac Error: The recovery server could not be reached”

Flix
June 24, 2020 at 11:53 p.m.

The command ntpdate has been removed from Mojave. How do I get on here?

Reply
1. sir appleot
  June 24, 2020 at 11:58 p.m.
  
  Hello Flix! What exactly do you need Maybe someone else has an installer for the macOS you're looking for. ;-)
  
  Reply
2. Karol91
  July 16, 2020 at 23:16 pm
  
  Hi! Do you have a solution for this? I'm sitting on it too ...
  
  Reply
  1. sir appleot
    July 17, 2020 at 14:26 pm
    
    Hello Karol91! What do you need?
    
    Reply
    1. Mike
      September 2, 2021 at 21:42 pm
      
      Can't read Apfelot?
      
      The command line command "ntpdate" has been removed under Mojave!
      So "ntpdate -u time.apple.com" is no longer possible!
      
      Reply
      1. Jen Kleinholz
        September 2, 2021 at 21:53 pm
        
        Right, you are right. Now you can sudo sntp -sS hostname as an alternative to sudo ntpdate -u hostname use.
3. Laura
  September 6, 2020 at 20:34 pm
  
  It doesn't work that way for me either, have you found a solution?
  
  Reply
  1. Rebecca Thoma
    March 17, 2022 at 20:38 pm
    
    Also look for the current Terminal command in macOS Mojave to set the time zone. Otherwise I cannot restore the MacBook
    
    Reply
    1. Jen Kleinholz
      March 18, 2022 at 15:32 pm
      
      Hello Rebekah! Take a look at the post here: https://www.sir-apfelot.de/os-x-cant-be-verified-und-error-occured-while-preparing-the-installation-26722/ It explains how to set the time with the terminal.
      
      Reply
Stephan
August 28, 2020 at 08:30 pm

How do I set up or set a LAN connection in the boot menu? There is only WLAN selectable?

Reply
1. sir appleot
  August 28, 2020 at 10:38 pm
  
  Hello Stephan! The Mac recognizes a LAN connection immediately without any settings. Just plug in the cable and you're done. : D
  
  Reply

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Sir Apfelot newsreel week 12, 2023
Another week comes to an end, another Sir Apfelot newsreel is released. In this issue you will find the Apple and tech news that caught my eye in calendar week 12 of 2023. Among other things, these reports are included: More and more AI tools are being made available for use, Amazon announces another 9.000 people, original size of cropped Google Pixel and Windows screenshots can be restored, Microsoft is working on an alternative app store for iPhone and iPad, Improvements in iOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4 and more.
In the Sir Apfelot newsreel for calendar week 12 of 2023 you will find, among other things, these reports: several companies are integrating AI tools, Amazon with a new wave of layoffs, tailored screenshots of Windows and Google Pixels can be restored, Microsoft is working on the Xbox App Store for the iPhone, Apple Music App shows third-party playlists, and more.

AI tools everywhere: Google, Microsoft, Opera and Adobe
This week there were several reports about tools that can be used in various ways to use artificial intelligence (AI). While some chase after the competition, others offer specialized solutions for specific target groups. Google now has B. published its chatbot "Bard", which is supposed to answer certain queries in Google search. Microsoft has already taken this step and has been offering image generation based on text specifications since this week. Four images are output per (English) description. Opera also wants ChatGPT in the Browser and integrate it into other tools. And Adobe is launching “Firefly”, an AI image generator that is supposed to focus on images, effects, vector graphics and videos. The target group should be creative users of Photoshop and Co.
- Try Google Bard: Click here
- Microsoft bing image generator: Test here
- Opera plans AI integration: Read here
- Adobe Firefly: Try beta version
Amazon fired another 9.000 people
Earlier this week I summarized information for you on how Apple is trying to prevent mass layoffs like Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon and Twitter: How Apple is trying to prevent mass layoffs. While the measures appear to be helping the iPhone maker, other tech giants with super-wealthy founders continue to decide to cut thousands of jobs. The second wave of layoffs at Amazon is said to cost around 9.000 more people their jobs and follows mass layoffs in previous months, which meant more than 18.000 layoffs. Among other things, heise online reports on the subject (German) with reference to an article from CNBC (English).
Recoverable Screenshots: "Acropalypse" is a privacy issue
If you take a screenshot on your computer or smartphone, you don't always want to reveal all the information when sharing this screenshot. Cropping the images is a quick and easy way to remove unwanted content or sensitive data. Whoever receives the image can concentrate on the main content and does not see the cut-off parts. Or? As became known this week under the keyword "Acropalypse", cropped screenshots from Google Pixel smartphones and from PCs with Windows 10 and Windows 11 can be partially restored. The image files still contain the information from the screenshots in their original size. The problem goes back years and can certainly quickly lead to privacy issues with some content. Among others iFun (here ) and Golem (here ) have published articles on it.
ARD collects even more offers from the “third” broadcasters
In the future, even more offers from regional or state-specific public broadcasters will be collected in the ARD media library. Like iFun, among others at this point shows, wants z. For example, Bayrischer Rundfunk (BR) has integrated all of its online content into the ARD media library. This includes country-specific documentaries and reports, but also magazines, talk shows, films and series. As a state broadcaster, the BR strives to strengthen the online offerings from ARD. In addition to the media library, this also includes the media collections of the ARD Audiothek, the Tagesschau, the Sportschau and KiKa. As is also noted, a merger with ZDF Mediathek is not in sight. Greater networking is being sought, but not a complete merger of the two offers.
Microsoft prepares Xbox apps for iPhone sideloading
In the foreseeable future, Apple will probably have to accept that all the assurances that the iPhone is only secure with Apple's own app store have come to nothing. Because there are efforts by several states and state federations to dissolve this app monopoly on the iPhone as well as the iPad and the Apple Watch. Alternative app stores and the sideloading of apps from the web would then have to be made possible. Microsoft is said to be already preparing for this case, as was reported in several sources this week. A dedicated app store for Xbox apps is already in the works, according to one Articles by 9to5Mac. There one refers to an interview in the Financial Times (behind payment barrier), in which Phil Spencer comments on Microsoft preparing for the EU's Digital Markets Act. The Xbox App Store will feature both Microsoft and third-party games on the iPhone and iPad.
Apple secures a patent for wristbands with an NFC chip
Also at 9to5Mac I noticed an article about a new Apple patent. Referring to Patently Apple (a very good one for everything that has to do with Apple patents) it is shown that the NFC chips in the bracelets can ensure, among other things, that the right dial is set directly or the dial color is adjusted. Certain apps could also start directly when a bracelet is recognized - such as fitness apps for sports bracelets. However, there is a potential downside: what if no NFC chip is detected? Will there be restrictions for those using third party wristbands? And what will these look like? However, in addition to the possible scenarios with usage restrictions, the question must also be asked: Will Apple use this technology at all or do they just want to secure the rights to it? So it remains to be seen whether upcoming models of the Apple Watch will have new bracelet attachments and thus exclusively compatible NFC bands.
Apple Music privacy issue: Strange playlists in the Apple Music app
In November of last year, Apple already went through iCloud for Windows negative headlines. Because some users discovered foreign content in the overview of their photos and videos. Photos of other people and thumbnails of their videos could be seen. They also ran the risk of corrupting their own video files. Now a similar problem seems to be emerging on Apple's own platforms. Because with some users of the music app, foreign playlists appear. MacRumors, among others, dedicated one to the problem this week Entry. In addition to the appearance of foreign lists, these can also be merged with your own. Again, own playlists can disappear. MacRumors is said to have numerous reports on Reddit.
Preview iOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4
The release candidates for the next major update versions of Apple's operating systems have been available for developer testing since this week. Below is also iOS 16.4 for the iPhone. It has been known for a long time that the new design for the Home app should come back, which was withdrawn some time ago. In addition, the update should include improved accident detection for the iPhone 14 ( ) and voice isolation for calls without background noise ( ) bring along. watchOS 9.4 is about to be released for the Apple Watch. There should also be improvements here, e.g. B. for the alarm clock. Because alarm clock tones were previously muted if you covered the display of the smartwatch with your hand for three seconds or longer. If you wear the watch while you sleep, you run the risk of accidentally setting the alarm to silent. From watchOS 9.4 this should no longer happen and the mute will only affect system sounds and notifications. Something that has been present on the iPhone since the first generation, as can be seen in the iPhone ticker on the subject notes.
Instructions: Open the iPhone app when arriving or leaving a place
Yesterday I showed you how to Set iPhone reminders to enter or exit a location can. Thanks to Lutz's comment under the linked article, you will now receive a continuation of these instructions. Because of course everyone else can Appsthat are installed on the iPhone open based on location. But how can you open an iPhone app when you arrive or leave a place? The following step-by-step guide takes you back to iOS shortcuts. Because the shortcuts app has exactly the functions that we need for this.
Can you open an app based on location on the Apple iPhone? That's fine! Here's how to create a shortcuts automation that opens apps when you arrive or leave a location.

Shortcuts Guide: Open iPhone App on arrival or departure
In the shortcuts app you can summarize numerous iPhone inputs, commands and processes and start them with various factors. Theoretically, you can set the app so that the entire Smart Home starts all sorts of processes at a certain time or when the alarm clock reacts: open the curtains, make coffee, play music, etc. In this article, however, we will take it easy and start with relatively simple automation. If you know in which location a specific app should be opened by the iPhone upon arrival or upon departure, then you can get started. The following guide provides the most straightforward way to set up automation. In some places you can set additional parameters, but I won't break everything down to the smallest detail. For starters, you can do the following to achieve the desired goal:
1. Choose in the Shortcuts app the middle tab Automation from
2. Tap on the in the top right Plus symbol capacitor positive (+) lead
3. Then choose Create personal automation from
4. Now let's Arrivals, Leave (as well as C for the connection with the car).
5. For "Arrival" and "Departure" is now over Select choose a location (on the map below you can set the radius)
6. Then tap at the top right Ready and in the next window Continue an
7. About Add action or you can choose from the action suggestions Open app from
8. On the following page, tap in front of "open". App - Then you search for the desired app via the search field or the displayed list and tap on it
9. Then tap on the top right Continue
10. Check your entries again and then tap on the top right Ready
Many other automations are possible when arriving or leaving a location
You can have music play automatically when you get home. You can automatically open your notes when you are at the supermarket so that the shopping list is displayed directly. And much more. I can recommend you to try and experiment with different things in the Shortcuts app. You can't go wrong. And if something is not set to your satisfaction, you can adjust or delete the automation at any time. The latter goes in the overview by activating the automation swipe left and then on Delete is typing.
Tip: Allow the Shortcuts app to pinpoint location
In order for the iPhone to be able to forward the current location to the shortcuts app and thus to the automation you have created, you must give permission in the settings. I already showed you how this works in detail yesterday for the reminders app (here ). Therefore, here are the instructions again in short form:
1. Opens the Settings on your Apple iPhone
2. Choose from the list Privacy from
3. Then you type there Location services an
4. Enable location services and tap in the app list shortcuts an
5. Tap a dot under "Never" (depending on your preference) and enable the "Precise location" slider
More articles on the topic
Set iPhone reminders to enter or exit a location
On the Apple iPhone you can use the Reminders app to be reminded of things under certain preset circumstances. For example, you can set each notification for a specific date and even for an exact time. Locations can also be set - but not only to link them to the date and time, but also to issue reminders on arrival or departure. You can set a reminder to “go shopping” when you leave work or “call contact xyz” when you arrive at home so that you don’t forget anything. Here I show you how it works.
If you want to be reminded of something based on location, you can use the reminders on the iPhone and have individual entries triggered when you enter or leave a location.

Set iPhone reminder upon arrival or departure
Setting reminders for arriving at a certain location or leaving an area is actually pretty easy. And once you've made the settings, it's easy to do when you set it up again. To set up a location-based iPhone reminder, simply follow these step-by-step instructions:
1. Selects a list (or creates one to select)
2. Create a new reminder in the list and give it a title
3. Tap the circled "i" to the right of the new reminder
4. Now activate the "Location" slider and select the location or an address below
5. Then tap the circled "i" underneath
6. You can then select a location again or search for an address
7. Once you have set a location, a map will appear below
8. Select "Arrival" or "On Departure" above the map
9. With the dot on the blue circle on the map you can increase and decrease the radius
10. If you tap on "Details" in the top left and the arrow back, you get back to the list with the reminder, which now shows the note that has been set
The addresses and maps are of course displayed normally when used. I pixelated them on the screenshots just for privacy. As you can see, "Arrival" or "On Departure" can be selected above the map. Correspondingly, the circle is drawn around an area colored blue (arriving in the colored region) or the area around the circle colored blue (leaving the place and entering the colored region).
Allow the Reminders app to get the location
Of course, the whole thing only works if the Reminders app on the iPhone knows the current location. You can see whether this is the case in the settings of your Apple smartphone. To turn on the location service for the memories, follow these steps:
1. Opens the Settings on your Apple iPhone
2. Choose from the list Privacy from
3. Then you type there Location services an
4. Enable location services and tap in the app list Memories an
5. Tap a dot under "Never" (depending on your preference) and enable the "Precise location" slider
Now the Reminders app can access your location. By activating "Precise location" the arrival or departure from a specified location is also registered. This means that the reminder appears at the right time and not too early or too late. Do you have any comments on the topic or a tip for using location-based reminders on the Apple iPhone? Then please leave a comment!
Audible Spring Offer: 4 months for €2,95 each + €15 credit
Audiobooks are a great way to "read" books even when you can't or don't want to read them - on the way to work, on vacation, while lounging on the couch, to fall asleep, and so on. Audible not only offers many general advantages for the purchase and use of audio books, but is currently running a spring campaign. For new customers there are 4 months of Audible for only 2,95 euros each and a credit of 15 euros on top. From the fifth month, 9,99 euros per month are due – but you can also cancel in good time. Abbreviation: Here you go directly to the campaign page
With Audible you can save numerous audio books and podcasts and listen to them again and again. In the current spring offer for new customers, the audio book credit is particularly cheap. After canceling the subscription, the purchased titles can be kept.

This is how Audible works: Choose and keep audiobooks
If you have an Audible subscription, you get a credit every month. This credit can be redeemed for an audio book. Short audio books sometimes only cost half a credit; and there are sometimes 2 for 1 promotions. You can also buy 3 additional credits if one per month is not enough. There are also audio books that do not have to be purchased because they are included in the subscription (older titles and classics as well as some bestsellers). The same goes for podcasts. After redeeming a credit for an audiobook or choosing an inclusive title, you can download it to any device that has the Audible app installed or is otherwise designed for Audible use. For example, some Kindle e-book readers from Amazon are compatible with Audible audio books and can output them to headphones and speakers via Bluetooth. On the Mac you can use the Apple Books app, among other things. I personally use the Audible app on the iPhone to listen to my audio books directly through the speaker or headphones. Sometimes I listen to them while reading the physical book or the digital edition - you can adjust the speed of the audio book to synchronize with the reading speed. If you are easily distracted while reading, you should try this. It helps me to read more concentrated and faster over a longer period of time. Books purchased with subscription credits remain in the library even if you delete them from the device. So you can always go back to it, download it, delete it, download it again, and so on. This even works if you end your subscription. So you can take advantage of the spring offerto get 4 audiobooks (and a fifth with the credit) and listen to them even after canceling your subscription.
Audio book recommendations: Tips from my library
- Walter Moers: The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear, Rumo & The Miracles in the Dark, The City of Dreaming Books (and more)
- Mariana Leky: What you can see from here
- Eiko Kadono: Kiki's Delivery Service
- Virginia Woolf: A Room of One's Own
- Tupoka Ogette: exit Racism
- Numerous books by Terry Pratchett
- Douglas Adams: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (and sequels)
- And much more
No credit needed: tips for included titles in the Audible subscription
- Edgar Allan Poe: short stories (several volumes)
- Jules Verne: Around the World in 80 Days, Journey to the Center of the Earth, etc.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: The Little Prince
- Arthur Conan Doyle: Sherlock Holmes (various stories and volumes)
- Dimiter Inkiow: Greek Legends - From Sisyphus to Tantalos
- And many, many more
iPad won't show keyboard - here are the solutions
Today I got a request from a relative with some photos of an iPad with Safari open. At first I wasn't sure what it was about, but then the next message came:
The iPad no longer shows me a keyboard.
I admit that I haven't had the problem yet, but a call to the appropriate Apple support page gave me two possible causes and solutions. For those who don't want to read a lot: A restart solved the problem in our case and the iPad redisplayed the keyboard.
Here you can see the on-screen keyboard, which is no longer displayed on the iPad with my problem (Graphic: Sir Apfelot/Placeit).

1. The iPad needs a restart
In the first case I couldn't find a real cause. It seems that the iPad sometimes freezes and just forgets to show the keyboard. This was the case for many users in the Apple forum after they installed an iOS or iPadOS update. In my case, however, it was a brand new iPad 10 with iPadOS 16.3.1 - not a version that you would expect to have teething problems. Still, the restart helped for us. Here's a quick jaunt on how to restart iPad because I had to look it up myself:
- iPad without home button (all current models) → Press and hold the top button and one of the volume buttons at the same time, then drag the slider.
- iPad with home button → Hold the top button and then move the slider.
Here's a little guide from Apple showing where to long press on the iPad to turn it off (Graphic: Apple).

2. A real keyboard or mouse is connected to the iPad
If an iPad doesn't show an onscreen keyboard, it could also be because a Bluetooth keyboard was connected at some point and automatically reconnected to the iPad because it was nearby. According to one user, after pairing a Logitech mouse with the iPad, the onscreen keyboard stopped appearing on them. You can quickly check whether this is the reason by going to the control center Turn off the Bluetooth temporarily and see if a keyboard is now displayed on a text input window.
Here you can see where the Bluetooth connection is deactivated in the control center. If Bluetooth is not activated and the on-screen keyboard still does not appear, then it is definitely not a Bluetooth keyboard.
If you want to unpair a connected keyboard from the iPad, you can do this under Settings → Bluetooth.
Other causes?
If you have noticed other causes or you still have ideas how to solve the problem with the missing on-screen keyboard, please leave a comment here. I am happy to add the good tips at the top of the article so that future readers can benefit from them.

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Mac error: The recovery server could not be reached

Causes: The recovery server could not be reached

Solving the Mac error for a clean macOS installation

Reconnect to the Internet, ideally via LAN

Set the system time in the system settings or via the terminal

Related Articles

11 Responses to “Mac Error: The recovery server could not be reached”

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