If you're running into problems with your M1 Mac, you don't need to panic and call Apple just yet. Like Intel Macs, your computer has a mode called “macOS Recovery” that you can use to run emergency maintenance on your Mac. However, the method is different for Apple silicon Macs, so the old keystrokes won't work.
You may remember that you could get to Recovery on an Intel Mac by holding down Command-R on the keyboard as the Mac boots. Here’s how it’s done on an M1 Mac:
1. Turn off your Mac. As you power it back it on, press the power button and hold down the button while the Mac boots.