Anyway, you can get out of Safe Mode anytime, especially if you want to see if the problem has already been solved and if you can already boot in Normal mode. Just shut down your Mac and turn it on again, this time without pressing the Shift key. You can start a Mac in Safe Mode by either shutting down and turning on or restarting your computer and immediately holding down the shift key. To verify that you've fixed the issue, you'll likely. To start your Mac in safe mode, hold down the shift keywhile booting the device until the Apple logo appears. On the login screen, you’ll then see that your Mac is in safe mode. In the top-right corner, “Safe Boot” will be shown in red font next to the keyboard layout and power display (only for MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs).
- Safe mode is a diagnostic mode in computer operating systems like Mac and Windows, designed for troubleshooting purposes. By booting in Safe mode, you can start up your Mac to perform certain checks while preventing automatic loading or opening of some software.
- Safe Mode is a special Firefox mode that can be used to troubleshoot and fix problems. When you start Firefox in Safe Mode, it temporarily disables add-ons (extensions and themes), turns off hardware acceleration and certain other features, and ignores some customizations (see below to learn more).Comparing Firefox's behavior in normal mode to its behavior in Safe Mode may help pinpoint.
If you’re experiencing issues with your Mac, then you can easily fix that by restarting it. I know it sounds odd, but it helps at times. However, if that doesn't fix the problem, then there are usual ways to go about solving the issue. One of the ways you can resolve them is by starting the mac in safe mode.
Not only does it help you test where the problem is, but it’s also one of the most common maintenance methods you can use with your computer.
We’re going to explain what Safe mode is, how you can boot your Mac in this state, and when you need to use it.
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Click here to see our macos articles pageWhat Is Safe Mode
Safe Mode or safe boot is a macOS diagnostic mode designed to fix several problems in your Mac.
Activating safe mode allows you to troubleshoot any problem that prevents the operating system from functioning normally. It helps you figure out the problem based on how the computer reacts to the Safe Mode environment.
While in this mode, your Mac starts without loading the additional third-party programs. So you can test whether it’s the whole system or a particular program that’s causing issues.
That means only a minimal number of preferences, system extensions, and fonts that need to run will start up with your computer so that you can isolate the issues and troubleshoot accordingly.
Safe Mode can get your computer up and running all over again whenever issues brought about by corrupt data or apps, damaged fonts, and preference files, or software installation issues arise.
You can use it to resolve any problems that keep your Mac from starting up or startup disk related issues, including apps not launching or those causing your computer to crash, freeze, or shutdown.
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Safe Mode vs Clean Boot: Understand the Difference and When to Use
Read MoreWhat Happens When Your Mac Is in Safe Mode
Several things happen when you start your Mac in Safe Mode. Specifically, it does the following:
- You Mac loads required kernel extensions needed to run macOS.
- It verifies your startup drive by performing a directory check and attempts repairs for any issues.
- It prevents startup and login items from automatically opening at startup.
- It disables user-installed (third-party) fonts besides those found in System/Library/Fonts supplied by Apple.
- It deletes all font caches and moves them to the trash, including kernel cache and other system cache files.
- It also deletes the dynamic loader cache known for causing the blue screen freeze during startup.
- It disables or limits features such as the DVD Player, iMovie (won’t capture video), internal and/or external modems, AirPort cards (depending on the version and macOS version in use), Quartz Extreme, and Network file sharing.
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A Guide to the Windows Safe Mode and When to Use it
Read MoreHow to Start up Your Mac in Safe Mode
To start up in Safe Mode, take the steps below:
Step 1: Start or restart your Mac.
Step 2: Press and hold down the Shift key immediately when you hear the chime. You’ll see the Apple logo appear on your screen.
Step 3:Release the Shift key once the login window comes up. If your Mac’s startup disk is encrypted with FileVault, you’ll log in twice – the first login unlocks the startup disk, while the second logs you in the Finder.
Note: Once you establish the problem, you can leave Safe Mode by restarting your Mac without pressing any keys at startup.How to Tell Whether Your Mac Is in Safe Mode
You can tell whether your Mac is in Safe Mode by using the System Information app. The System Information app (also known as System Profiler in some versions of OS X) shows a summary of information about your Mac’s software, hardware, network and other information.
To go to the System Information app, click Apple menu> About This Mac to open an overview of your Mac computer, including its model, memory, processor, serial number, and macOS version.
You can see more information by clicking the System Report button.
Under the Software section in System Information, you’ll see the text “Safe” instead of “Normal” next to the Boot Mode.
The login window will also show the Safe Boot label on the top right side of the screen when in Safe Mode.
What to Do When Your Mac Won’t Turn on or Start up in Safe Mode
Here are some things to check for when your Mac won’t turn on, or it powers on but doesn’t complete the startup process:
- Check for power-related issues such as sounds from the fan or hard disk among other startup sounds. Check also for lights like the sleep indicator light, Caps Lock key, or backlit keyboard, if you have one.
- You can also check that it’s receiving power by ensuring the power cable is undamaged and plugged in securely into a working power outlet.
- Check that you’re using the right power cable and adapter, and if you’re using an external display, power it on and ensure it doesn’t have other display problems. Turn up your display’s brightness from the built-in keyboard.
- Check other startup issues if it doesn’t finish starting up such as a recently installed hard disk/SSD or memory, and ensure that it’s compatible and correctly installed. You can also remove and test with the original disk or memory.
If you still need further assistance, contact Apple Support or visit an authorized Apple Store or Service Provider.
If you have no keyboard or can’t use your keyboard’s Shift key to start in safe mode, you can configure your Mac to boot in safe mode if you have remote access to your Mac. To do this:
Step 1: Open Terminal remotely to access the command line, or log into your Mac using SSH. Use this Terminal command: sudo nvram boot-args=”-x”
Alternatively, start in verbose mode using the command:
Step 2: After you’re done using safe mode, return to normal startup using this Terminal command:
Get Your Mac Running Again
If you have any issues with your Mac, now you know how to start it up in Safe Mode and get things back to normalcy again.
Next up:If you have an Android device and want to boot in Safe Mode to fix any underlying problems, learn how the steps to achieve this in our next article.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextHow to Boot into Android Safe Mode to Troubleshoot Your DeviceAlso See#apple #macbook
Did You Know
Apple has 25 operational renewable energy projects around the world.
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Reasons to start your Mac in Safe Mode
Mac's Safe Mode minimizes the applications you have available on your Mac to help identify where any issues might be coming from. Starting up your computer and making it run in Safe Mode is also known as a safe boot (safe boot is how your Mac starts, Safe Mode is how it runs).
Booting in Safe Mode doesn’t just restrict your applications: A safe boot also checks through your startup drive to make sure there are no problems there.
A fault in your system (like corrupted boot sector) might be preventing you from using your Mac at all. By booting in Safe Mode, your Mac can work with macOS core processes to get back into the system and identify problems, such as floating extensions or rogue applications, that you can then remove.
What happens in Safe Mode
When your computer is prompted to perform a safe boot, it will perform a number of tasks before you can use it, which include:
- A directory check of the startup drive;
- Running on only the bare minimum of necessary kernel extensions;
- Disabling all startup or login applications;
- Deleting the dynamic loader cache, which can help fix blue screen freeze on startup (OS X 10.5.6 or later);
- Disabling all fonts that are not supplied by Apple and moving all font caches to the Trash.
Troubleshooting in Safe Mode
Once your Mac is running in Safe Mode, some applications will no longer be available. If your Mac is working fine in Safe Mode, then it’s likely that one of the restricted applications is responsible for the issues. You can manage the list of startup applications manually, removing the potential buggy apps one at a time to see if it affects the performance.
Open Apple Menu > System Preferences
Click Users & Groups icon
Choose your username, then click Login items
Use [-] sign to remove startup items
There is still a problem though. Manually deleting problem applications still leaves their traces deep in the system, so it’s best to use a dedicated Mac cleanup software like CleanMyMac X to double check your Mac is clear of any problematic files.
If your Mac continues to run into difficulties even in Safe Mode, you may need to use Mac’s native recovery tool, Disk Utility.
Identifying the problem
Here is a list of most common system issues Mac users encounter when their Mac isn’t running at peak performance:
- Corrupted startup files or login applications
- Software conflicts
- Damaged hardware
- Too many apps running, or too much junk cluttering up your disk
To diagnose your Mac more precisely, we recommend performing a full scan with some dedicated Mac cleaning app. As described above, CleanMyMac is our favorite (you can download this app here for free). This app made by the guys from MacPaw sports a handy Dashboard, with hardware health monitors among others, which should give you a clue as to what’s wrong with your system.
How to start your Mac in Safe Mode
To restart your Mac in Safe Mode, begin with your Mac switched off or restart it.
1) As soon as your Mac switches on and lights up, press and hold the Shift key.
2) Release the Shift key as soon as the login window appears.
That’s it, your Mac has now been booted in safe mode. Note that it may take longer than usual to boot your computer: This is because there are several checks being performed before it’s ready to use.
If you don’t trust your Mac to turn off and on again without further complications, or for some other reason you would prefer not to safe boot from the startup screen, there is an alternative using the Terminal application.
1) Locate Terminal: Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2) In the Terminal command line, type the following code and then press Enter:
sudo nvram boot –arg=”-x”
3) You will be asked to enter your password to authorize.
4) Your Mac will now reboot in safe mode. You will not have to hold the Shift key when the computer restarts, simply log in when prompted.
Running your Mac in Safe Mode
If you’re not sure whether your safe boot was successful, there are a couple of ways you can check.
‘Safe Mode’ will appear in red in the menu bar
The boot mode will be listed as ‘Safe Mode’ (instead of ‘Normal’). To find your boot mode, click on the Apple logo in the menu (top left) and select This Mac. Choose System Report, then Software, and from there you will be able to see whether you are in normal or safe mode.
Your performance speed will change. Typically macOS will run slower when it is in Safe Mode due to the reduced processes, but if you have noticed some serious lagging this may be improved by the faulty applications being restricted.
Working in Safe Mode
Running your macOS in Safe Mode is normally used to troubleshoot glitches that you have noticed, such as lag, crashing, or spontaneous closures of applications. You should try to use your Mac as you normally do so that you can see if the issues have disappeared in Safe Mode or are still there.
You will find that some features aren’t available, such as third-party fonts, the DVD player, and audio in/out devices, which may limit how productive you can be, so it’s best to identify the fault in Safe Mode, fix it, and return to normal mode to work as usual.
Exiting Safe Mode
Once you’re finished in Safe Mode, simply restart your Mac. It should then reboot as normal, hopefully with improved performance.
If you’re using Terminal commands to return to normal, type
sudo nvram boot-args='
It may take a little longer than usual to shut down from safe mode, but don’t become impatient and use the power button to force a hard shut down.
Booting in Safe Mode Unprompted
If your Mac automatically enters Safe Mode itself without you pressing shift or using the Terminal, don’t panic. Your Mac may have detected an issue that it thinks needs repairing in Safe Mode. If this happens only once, then great, your Mac did its job and cleaned up the issue before it could cause any more problems.
If your Mac is stuck restarting in a Safe Mode loop, try entering another startup configuration, the Recovery Mode, by pressing Command (?) + R upon startup. This will perform a Disk Utility scan to check for issues, and, if that doesn’t work and you have backed up your files, you can try a reinstalling a clean copy of macOS to start fresh.
Install In Safe Mode
Tip: Check your keyboard is clean and that there is no debris beneath the keys. If the shift key has become stuck, your Mac will think it’s being pressed during startup to initiate a safe boot.
Safe Mode limitations
Unfortunately, the responsibility to locate software issues still resides with the user in Safe Mode. A safe boot will check for disk problems, but if it fails to turn anything up you may be resigned to shifting through your applications list to see what might be causing the problem.
Luckily, some helpful maintenance utilities can be run while in Safe Mode. CleanMyMac X is one of those so check it out. It clears through your junk before it can impact on your system, but if your macOS is starting to lag it might be time to perform a full clean-out of those unused applications. With an average of 62GB of junk cleaned from an average Mac, it's maybe just the tool you need to put your Mac back on track.