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What does Command+R do on Mac?

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  • 3 min read

If you are a Mac user, you may have wondered what the Command+R keyboard shortcut does.

In this article, we will explain what Command+R does in different contexts and how to use it to perform various tasks on your Mac.


Uses of Command + R on Mac

Command+R is a versatile keyboard shortcut that can have different functions depending on the application you are using or the state of your Mac.

Here are some of the most common uses of Command+R:

Refresh a web page

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If you browse the web with Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or any other web browser, you can use Command+R to reload the current web page.

This can be useful if you want to see the latest updates or changes on a website or encounter any errors or glitches.

Here is how to refresh on Mac

Also read: Spatial audio not available: Quick Fix


Reply to an email

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If you are using Mail, Outlook, or any other email client, you can use Command+R to reply to the selected email’s sender.

This will open a new window where you can compose your response and send it back.


Run a script

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If you are using Script Editor, Terminal, or any other scripting tool, you can use Command+R to run the current script.

This will execute the code and display the output or results in a separate window or panel.

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Restart your Mac

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If your Mac is not responding or behaving strangely, you can use Command+R to force it to restart. This will shut down your Mac and then boot it up again.

However, this may cause data loss or corruption, so saving your work and closing your applications is recommended before doing this.


Enter Recovery Mode

If your Mac has serious problems or needs repair, you can use Command+R to enter Recovery Mode.

This will boot your Mac from a special partition that contains tools and utilities to help you troubleshoot and fix your Mac. You can use Recovery Mode to restore your Mac from a backup, reinstall macOS, erase your disk, access Disk Utility, and more.

As you can see, Command+R is a handy keyboard shortcut that can help you perform various tasks on your Mac.

Also read: How to Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Mac? 

Kumar Hemant

Kumar Hemant

Deputy Editor at Candid.Technology. Hemant writes at the intersection of tech and culture and has a keen interest in science, social issues and international relations. You can contact him here: kumarhemant@pm.me

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