Set the Startup Disk with systemsetup

List available boot volumes and switch the startup disk from a script — no Startup Disk pane needed.

macOSsystemsetupbootadministrationMedium risk

Run `sudo systemsetup -liststartupdisks` to list bootable volumes, then `sudo systemsetup -setstartupdisk <volume>` to switch.

01Command

Command

$ sudo systemsetup -liststartupdisks

02What it does

systemsetup is the command-line twin of several machine-level System Settings panes: startup disk, date/time, sleep, and remote Apple events. `-liststartupdisks` prints every bootable volume asr or a second macOS install created, and `-setstartupdisk` persists the choice in NVRAM for the next boot. Over SSH this lets admins re-point a lab of Macs at a new system volume without touching each machine.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk

RequirementsmacOS on Intel Macs or as admin; many systemsetup options behave differently on Apple Silicon.

!Warning: A wrong -setstartupdisk target can leave the Mac booting to a dead volume — keep Recovery accessible.

04Undo

Undo

$ sudo systemsetup -setstartupdisk /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD

05Sources

Mac startup key combinations - Apple Support
Apple Support · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Apple's reference for choosing a startup disk at boot, the manual counterpart to systemsetup -setstartupdisk.
SYSTEMSETUP Command: Configure System Preferences in macOS
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents systemsetup -liststartupdisks, -setstartupdisk, and related machine-level settings.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: System & Settings

06Related solutions

Read and Clear NVRAM Firmware Variables

macOSnvramrecoveryboot

Inspect boot-args and other firmware settings stored in non-volatile RAM from the Terminal.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17