How to Run a Mac in Safe Mode: 8 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 22:11

This wikiHow teaches you how to restart a Mac computer into safe mode or “Safe Mode”. Safe mode is a diagnostic tool that disables non-essential programs and services on Mac computers so that you can remove problematic programs or certain “stubborn” settings.

Step

Step 1. Restart the Mac computer

If the computer is already on, you will need to restart the device before you can access safe mode. Click the Apple menu

choose " Restart…, and click " Restart ' when prompted.

• If the computer is already off, press the power button

  

  to turn on the computer.

Step 2. Press and hold the Shift key

Once the computer starts up, hold down Shift and don't let go.

If you're using a Bluetooth keyboard, make sure you press the Shift key after the initial loading bell sounds (or as soon as the Apple logo appears)

Step 3. Wait for the login page to appear

This page appears after a minute or two.

Step 4. Release the Shift key

After the login page is displayed, your computer has entered safe mode. This means you can release the Shift key.

Step 5. Log in to the computer

Select a user account, then enter the account password.

If the FileVault feature is enabled on your computer, you will first need to sign in to the feature to open your computer's reload disc

Step 6. Solve the problem with the program

If you have problems with the loading order or with the general operation of the computer, pay attention to whether the problem persists when the computer is started in safe mode. Otherwise, one of the programs on your computer may have crashed and caused the problem.

If the problem persists, the cause may be in the computer's main hardware or software

Step 7. Disable programs that run at the beginning of loading

While in safe mode, remove problematic or heavily sourced programs from the list of preloaded programs (startup item). With this step, initial loading can be done faster.

You can also remove problematic applications, such as third-party antivirus programs or “stubborn” programs, in this mode

Step 8. Restart the computer to exit safe mode

When finished using safe mode, click menu Apple

and select Restart… ”, then follow the prompts that appear on the screen. The computer will restart in normal mode.

Tips

Sometimes, you can also enable safe mode by typing sudo nvram boot-args="-x" in a Terminal window and pressing Return. To disable it, type sudo nvram boot-args="-x -v" and press Return. However, this step cannot be followed if the FileVault feature is enabled