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OS Ventura 13.6.1. Option key doesn't present Start Up boot options Any help please...
Mac mini
See: Install macOS on an external storage device and use it as a startup disk - Apple Support
You don't want to do this on a drive that has data on it you wish to keep. Make sure you back up anything on the external drive first.
Sorry, I was thinking about something else. You should have the keyboard plugged in as I mentioned, and, press the Option key before, or soon after you turn on power.
hello dialabrain, Thanks for trying. Tried your suggestion twice - holding down option until the Mac HD showed up and continued to hold for exactly 10 minutes... got a numb finger now! then I tried once more and gave up after 8 minutes.
My keyboard is wireless running on WiFi.
brarn wrote:
Yes, I want to change the start up disk from Mac hard drive to my external drive, because I don't appear to have enough space on the Mac HD to upgrade my OS. hope that makes sense...
That's fine. Do you actually have macOS installed on your external drive or is that what you are trying to do? The external drive won't show up when you hold the option key unless you actually installed macOS onto it.
You have to hold the key down until you see, Loading startup options, or words to that effect. If you don't see that, try plugging in the keyboard with the charging cable first.
I think I missed something so maybe let's try this again. What exactly are you trying to do? And FWIW, wireless keyboards connect by Bluetooth. Is it an Apple keyboard or from a third-party?
Just to add, pressing the option key alone would just let you chose the startup drive.
Yes, I want to change the start up disk from Mac hard drive to my external drive, because I don't appear to have enough space on the Mac HD to upgrade my OS. hope that makes sense...
Also, my ext drive is already connected to my Mac mini I use it for various things it all works fine.
I see. Yes this is exactly what I am trying to do, how can I do this then?
Oh I see. My ext drive is 4TB with 2TB free which was why I thought I could make use of it for my upgrade. Clearly from your advice this can't be done then 🥴
Mac mini 2018
