Mac Stuck on the Apple Logo or Progress Bar? Force Restart and Repair the Disk

Your Mac starts up to the Apple logo, or a progress bar under it, and never gets to the desktop or login screen.

Why: The Apple logo appears when your Mac finds its startup disk; the progress bar tracks the system loading. During a macOS update or upgrade, this can take much longer than usual — the bar may crawl and pause for long stretches, which is normal. If it never finishes, the startup is stuck and needs a forced restart, and sometimes a disk repair.

Fix 1: Wait it out if you’re updating

If you recently started a macOS update or upgrade, give it time — installation can take a long time, and the progress bar may sit still for long periods while files are written. Apple suggests starting updates in the evening so they can finish overnight. Leave a laptop plugged in.

Fix 2: Force a restart

If startup never moves past the Apple logo or progress bar:

1. Press and hold the power button for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off. On laptops with Touch ID, that’s the Touch ID button.
2. Turn your Mac back on.

If it sticks again, force it off once more, then unplug all nonessential accessories (printers, external drives, USB hubs) and turn it back on.

Fix 3: Repair the startup disk in macOS Recovery

If it still won’t get past the logo or bar, start from Recovery and repair the disk.

• Apple silicon (M-series): Shut down, then press and hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears, click Options, then Continue.
• Intel: Turn on and immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.

Open Disk Utility, select your startup disk, and run First Aid. Restart.

Fix 4: Reinstall macOS

If the disk repairs cleanly but it’s still stuck, go back to macOS Recovery (Fix 3) and choose Reinstall macOS, then follow the prompts. This reinstalls the system without removing your apps or personal data. If none of this works, the Mac may need service.

FAQ

How long should I wait before forcing a restart? If you’re not updating, a normal startup is a minute or two. During an update, give it a few hours — pauses on the progress bar are expected.

It’s stuck on a progress bar that’s about 100% then restarts. That’s usually an update finishing; let it complete. If it loops, force a restart (Fix 2) and try installing from Recovery.

Sources: Apple Support — If your Mac starts up to an Apple logo or progress bar