Safe mode prevents your Mac from loading certain software as it starts up, including login items, system extensions not required by macOS, and fonts not installed by macOS. It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using First Aid in Disk Utility. And it deletes some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache, which are automatically created again as needed.
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The process of booting into Safe Mode requires you to hold down the Shift key when you hear the startup sound. But if your Shift key is stuck, your Mac will probably boot in Safe Mode forever—unless you fix it. The first thing you have to do when you encounter this problem is to check your keyboard. Mar 20, 2019 It may take a bit more time than normal boot to load. After the logging in, make sure that you see the menu bar with Safe Boot in red. If you don’t see the Safe Mode in the menu bar, you are not in safe mode. It is because you were late to press and hold the Shift key. For this, you need to restart and hold the Shift key again. Exit Safe mode. Aug 25, 2018 Mac users have a lot of doubts about the precious Safe Mode-like how to open it, why or when to use, and many more.In this post, I’ll tackle all these questions with this Guide about how to Start Mac in Safe Mode.After going through this, you’ll realize that Safe Mode is capable of so many things. Dec 13, 2017 Method #2: Boot & Exit Mac Safe Mode using Terminal. Here in this section, we would make use of the Terminal tool which is command interface for UNIX-based operating systems, and very much similar to cmd in Windows. All that you have to do is to follow the given steps: Step 1. Go to the “Utilities” folder from the “Applications” folder. If you don’t have a keyboard to boot up in safe mode, but you can access your Mac remotely, configure it to start up in Safe mode from a command line. Open Terminal remotely or log in to your Mac using SSH to access the command line. Jul 29, 2015 Step 1: If your Mac is awake, shut it down by choosing Shut Down from the Apple menu. Otherwise, just power it on and proceed to step 3. Step 2: After your Mac shuts down, power it on again. Step 3: Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key. Click on Software and check what the Boot Mode is listed as - it will say Safe if you are in Safe Mode, otherwise it will say Normal. Other ways you can tell you are in Safe Mode.
Safe mode is particularly useful when you're trying to resolve an issue that doesn't seem to be associated with using any particular app. As always, keeping your software up to date is the first step toward resolving any software issue.
How to use safe mode
- Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up.
- Release the key when you see the login window, then log in to your Mac.
- You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see ”Safe Boot” in the upper-right corner of the window.
If the issue continues in safe mode
If the issue continues while in safe mode, or your Mac restarts several times and then shuts down while starting up in safe mode, you should reinstall macOS and make sure that your Apple software and third-party apps are up to date.
If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode
If the issue doesn't continue while in safe mode, leave safe mode by restarting your Mac normally. Then test for the issue again. The issue might be resolved.
If the issue returns after leaving safe mode, startup items are probably at fault. Apps can install such items in numerous places, and they aren't always easy to find or recognize. For that reason, you should first make sure that you've installed any available updates for your Apple software and third-party apps.
If updating your software doesn't help, try any of these solutions:
- Unplug all accessories from your Mac, including printers, drives, USB hubs, and other nonessential devices. You could have an issue with one or more of those devices or their cables.
If you still need help, please contact Apple Support.
Learn more
Some features might not work in safe mode, such as movie playback in DVD Player, video capture, file sharing, Wi-Fi, some accessibility features, some audio devices, and some devices that connect via USB, Thunderbolt, or FireWire. Accelerated graphics are disabled, which could cause blinking or distortion onscreen during startup.
Mac users have a lot of doubts about the precious Safe Mode-like how to open it, why or when to use, and many more. In this post, I’ll tackle all these questions with this Guide about how to StartMac in Safe Mode. After going through this, you’ll realize that Safe Mode is capable of so many things.
Also, you’ll know that when and where you should seek help from the Safe Mode in order to keep your Mac healthy. Let’s begin.
Contents
- 1 Safe Mode in Mac [Guide]
- 2 How to Start Mac in Safe Mode?
Safe Mode in Mac [Guide]
This guide comprises all the information about the invaluable Safe Mode available on Mac. All the questions related to it are answered, along with the additional information. After going through this, you’ll be way ahead than millions of Mac users who still don’t know everything about using their Mac in Safe Mode.
What is the Safe Mode on Mac?
Safe mode, sometimes also known as Safe Boot, is a toned down way to start up your Mac so that it performs certain checks and prevents some software from automatically loading or opening. If you start your Mac in Safe Mode, the following things will be done:
- It will verify your startup disk and attempt to repair directory issues if needed.
- Mac will load only required kernel extensions.
- It will Prevent startup items and login items from opening automatically.
- The user-installed fonts are disabled.
- The font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files are deleted.
If your Mac has developed an issue that goes away when you start up in safe mode, you might be able to isolate the cause with its help.
Why Start Mac in Safe Mode?
The main benefit of using Mac in Safe Mode is that it can help you resolve issues that are stopping your Mac from starting up or any issues related to your startup disk. A lot of users believe that whenever there is an issue or error in your Mac, using the Safe Mode should be your first steps. This is most of the times effective also, as the caches are cleared in the safe mode, and these can become corrupted leading to the particular problems.
Some users also use the safe mode to uninstall apps that otherwise prove to be sticky. This means that they are impossible to delete in normal operating mode because they are attached to a system service that won’t terminate. In the safe mode, all non-essential services aren’t loaded, this overcomes the hurdle, and you’ll be able to get rid of the unwanted apps. While some users use the Safe Mode to speed things up as starting in Safe Mode will clear the cache.
Where to use Safe Mode?
Remove Safe Mode Boot
Here are some of the common scenarios when you might need to use your Mac in Safe Mode:
- When your Mac gets stuck or freezes during startup.
- When an app is causing problems in your system leading to some issues.
- If you want to delete a certain app that won’t be uninstalled in normal mode.
- When your Mac is running very slowly or hanging.
Note:Remember that cleaning the caches using either method may make for a slower Mac in the first few reboots after it is cleared. As the sole purpose of caches is to make your system work faster.
- To check if you may have incompatible login items.
- In order to check the cause of certain issues. If after using Safe Mode, you reboot and the issue is gone, it is likely that the problem was related to a cache or directory issue that has been fixed by the Safe Mode.
How to Start Mac in Safe Mode?
Till now, you have learned what is Safe Mode, and why & where you shall use it. Now you’ll learn how to open or start Mac in Safe Mode. Follow these steps in order to start your Mac in Safe Mode:
Step-1: Start or Restart your Mac.
Step-2: Now immediately press and hold the Shift key. The Apple logo will appear.
Step-3:Release the shift key and log in when the login window appears.
Note: You may need to log in twice if you have FileVault turned on. First time to unlock the startup disk, and the second to log in to the Finder.
You can return to the Normal Mode by simply restarting your Mac without pressing any keys during the startup.
An Alternative Way to Open Mac in Safe Mode
If you don’t have a keyboard or your Shift key is not working, or if you just don’t want to use the Safe Mode from the startup, there is an alternative method present for you. Follow these steps in order to use Mac in Safe Mode from Terminal:
Step-1: Open Terminal by going to: Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
How To Boot Up A Mac In Safe Mode
Step-2: In the Terminal Command line, copy & paste the following code and hit Enter:
sudo nvram boot –arg=”-x”
Step-3: Now enter your password to authorize your action.
You can return to Normal Mode by opening Terminal, pasting sudo nvram boot-args=”” and hitting Enter.
How to know if your Mac is in Safe Mode?
If you are unsure that whether your Mac has started in safe mode or not, you can use System Information to confirm. The Software section of System Information lists Boot Mode as Safe instead of Normal when you are using Mac in safe mode.
Also, the login window displays Safe Boot in the upper-right corner of the screen when your Mac is running in safe mode.
How To Reboot In Safe Mode
What are the features NOT available in Safe Mode?
Only essential components run under the Safe Mode, so there are some features that are not available when you boot your Mac in Safe Mode. Here are the most common ones:
How To Boot Up Your Mac In Safe Mode
- Movies can’t be played in DVD Player.
- Videos can’t be captured in iMovie and some other video apps.
- Certain audio input or output devices may not work.
- The USB, FireWire, and Thunderbolt devices might not be available.
- Wi-Fi networking will be limited or unavailable. This depends on the Mac and macOS version you’re using.
- Some Accessibility features might not work as expected, for example, VoiceOver.
- File sharing will be disabled.
What if Mac has problems even in Safe Mode?
If your Mac keeps restarting or shutting down continuously even in the Safe Mode, then you should consider contacting Apple’s Customer Support as soon as possible. They’ll be more than glad to help you out.
Done. That’s all. For any queries, doubts or suggestions, feel free to visit the comments section. Hope I helped you.