Apple Apple-Device-Support Question Answer
What does the screen with a folder and question mark indicate?
The Mac doesn’t contain a working version of macOS.
Apple servers can’t verify the macOS version.
The Mac couldn’t start up from macOS Recovery over the internet.
The startup disk is encrypted.
A folder with a question mark means the Mac can’t find a valid macOS system on any startup disk, often due to corruption or erasure.
Option B: Server verification isn’t indicated this way.
Option C: Internet Recovery failure shows a globe.
Option D: Encryption prompts for a password, not this symbol.
Option A: Correct—missing OS.References: Apple Support - "If your Mac starts up to a question mark" (support.apple.com/HT204156).
TESTED 16 Jul 2025
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