How to Start a Mac in Safe Mode

Quick Answer

To start an Apple silicon Mac in Safe Mode, shut down the Mac, press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears, select a volume, hold the Shift key, and click Continue in Safe Mode.

To start an Intel-based Mac in Safe Mode, shut down or restart the Mac, immediately press and hold the Shift key, and release it when the login window appears.

Safe Mode starts macOS with only essential software and performs checks during startup. It can help determine whether a problem is caused by software that loads automatically, such as login items, extensions, or fonts.

What Safe Mode Does

Safe Mode is a special startup mode designed to help diagnose macOS problems. When your Mac starts in Safe Mode, macOS:

• Loads only essential system software.
• Prevents some third-party software and extensions from loading.
• Checks the startup disk and attempts to repair certain directory-related issues.
• Clears some system caches that can cause startup or performance problems.
• Helps determine whether a problem is related to software that does not load in Safe Mode.

Safe Mode is primarily a diagnostic tool. It does not permanently repair every problem, remove malware, or restore deleted files. Some features and apps may behave differently while Safe Mode is active.

Before starting, save your work and close open apps whenever possible. The steps require your Mac to shut down or restart, which can close apps and cause unsaved work to be lost.

Check Whether Your Mac Uses Apple Silicon or Intel

The startup procedure depends on your Mac’s processor.

1. Open the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. Look for the processor information:
   – If you see Chip followed by a name such as Apple M1, M2, or another Apple chip, your Mac uses Apple silicon.
   – If you see Processor, your Mac is Intel-based.

You can also use System Information:

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. Click More Info if it appears.
4. Scroll down and click System Report.
5. Select Hardware in the sidebar.
6. Check the information next to Chip or Processor Name.

Start an Apple Silicon Mac in Safe Mode

These steps apply to Macs with Apple silicon.

Shut down the Mac

1. Save your work and close open apps.
2. Open the Apple menu.
3. Select Shut Down.
4. Wait until the screen is completely black and the Mac has finished shutting down.

If the Mac is frozen and does not respond, press and hold the power button until it turns off. This forced shutdown can cause unsaved work to be lost, so use it only when normal shutdown is not possible.

Enter Safe Mode

1. Press and hold the power button.
2. Keep holding the button until you see Loading startup options.
3. When the startup options appear, select the volume you normally use to start macOS. It is often named Macintosh HD.
4. Press and hold the Shift key.
5. While holding Shift, click Continue in Safe Mode.
6. Release the Shift key after the login screen appears.
7. Log in to your Mac.

You may need to log in more than once. If FileVault is enabled, macOS may ask for an account password to unlock the startup disk before it continues.

Confirm that Safe Mode is active

After signing in:

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. Click More Info if necessary.
4. Click System Report.
5. Select Software in the sidebar.
6. Look for Boot Mode.

If Safe Mode is active, Boot Mode should indicate Safe.

On some Macs and macOS versions, the login screen may also display Safe Boot. The System Report provides a more reliable way to confirm the startup mode.

Start an Intel Mac in Safe Mode

These steps apply to Macs with an Intel processor.

Shut down or restart the Mac

1. Save your work and close open apps.
2. Open the Apple menu.
3. Select Shut Down or Restart.

If the Mac is already turned off, you can start it normally before pressing the key described below. If the Mac is frozen, press and hold the power button until it turns off only as a last resort. A forced shutdown can cause unsaved work to be lost.

Enter Safe Mode

1. Press the power button to turn on the Mac, or choose Restart.
2. Immediately press and hold the Shift key.
3. Keep holding Shift until the login window appears.
4. Release the key and log in.

If FileVault is enabled, macOS may require you to log in more than once while unlocking the startup disk and completing startup.

Confirm that Safe Mode is active

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. Click System Report or System Information, depending on what appears.
4. Select Software in the sidebar.
5. Check Boot Mode.

The value should be Safe when the Mac has started successfully in Safe Mode.

Use Safe Mode to Diagnose a Problem

Once your Mac is running in Safe Mode, try to reproduce the problem.

For example, if an app crashes, open that app and perform the same task that caused the issue. If the Mac was slow, check whether it remains slow. If the Mac was having startup problems, restart it normally and see whether the behavior changes.

Safe Mode can help separate software problems from hardware or system-wide problems:

• If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, software that normally loads during startup may be responsible.
• If the problem continues in Safe Mode, the cause may be a macOS issue, damaged user data, a hardware problem, or software that Safe Mode does not prevent from loading.
• If the Mac cannot start in Safe Mode, the issue may be more serious than a normal login item or third-party extension problem.

Safe Mode may also make the Mac appear slower than usual. Some features, graphics functions, external devices, and background services may not work normally. Do not use Safe Mode as your everyday startup mode.

What to Do If the Problem Disappears

If the issue does not occur in Safe Mode, restart your Mac normally and investigate software that loads during a regular startup.

Review Login Items

Login items are apps and other items that open automatically when you sign in.

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Select System Settings.
3. Click General.
4. Select Login Items & Extensions.
5. Review the items listed under Open at Login.
6. Select an item you do not need to start automatically.
7. Click the remove button, usually shown as a minus sign.

Removing an item from this list does not necessarily uninstall the app. It only prevents the item from opening automatically. Make a note of any item you remove so you can restore it later if needed.

You can also temporarily disable a login item instead of removing it, when that option is available. Restart normally after each meaningful change and test whether the problem returns.

Check Recently Installed Software

Think about apps, browser extensions, system utilities, security tools, fonts, or device drivers installed shortly before the problem began. Update them if updates are available, or use the developer’s uninstaller if you decide to remove them.

Avoid deleting unknown files from system folders. Removing the wrong file can create additional macOS problems.

Disconnect Accessories

If the problem involves startup, display output, networking, or input devices, shut down the Mac and disconnect nonessential accessories. Then start it normally with only the keyboard, mouse, display, power adapter, and other essential equipment connected.

Reconnect devices one at a time to identify whether a particular accessory or its software is involved.

Exit Safe Mode

To exit Safe Mode, restart your Mac normally.

1. Save your work.
2. Open the Apple menu.
3. Select Restart.
4. Do not hold the Shift key or any other startup key while the Mac starts.

If you previously selected Shut Down, press the power button once to start the Mac normally.

After signing in, confirm that Safe Mode is no longer active:

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. Open System Report.
4. Select Software.
5. Check Boot Mode.

It should show Normal or another value indicating that Safe Mode is not active.

If Your Mac Keeps Starting in Safe Mode

A Mac normally exits Safe Mode after a regular restart. If it continues to start in Safe Mode:

1. Shut down the Mac completely.
2. Wait a few seconds.
3. Start it without pressing or holding the Shift key.
4. Check whether the Shift key is stuck or being pressed by a keyboard, case, or external accessory.
5. Disconnect the external keyboard and start the Mac using its built-in keyboard, if available.
6. Check the Login Items & Extensions settings after starting normally.
7. Restart once more and confirm the Boot Mode value in System Report.

On an Apple silicon Mac, make sure you are selecting Continue rather than Continue in Safe Mode on the startup options screen.

Troubleshooting

Safe Mode does not start

Make sure you are using the correct procedure for your Mac:

• Apple silicon Macs use the power button and startup options screen.
• Intel Macs use the Shift key immediately after startup.

On an Intel Mac, timing matters. Start holding Shift immediately after pressing the power button. If you wait too long, macOS may start normally.

On an Apple silicon Mac, hold the power button until Loading startup options appears. Do not release it as soon as the screen turns on.

The Mac starts normally instead

The Shift key may have been pressed too late on an Intel Mac, or it may not have been held continuously. Shut down and try again.

On an Apple silicon Mac, select the startup volume, hold Shift, and choose Continue in Safe Mode. Simply selecting the startup volume and clicking Continue starts the Mac normally.

The Mac is stuck at the login screen

Wait several minutes if the Mac appears to be performing startup checks. If it remains unresponsive, press and hold the power button to turn it off, then try again.

A forced shutdown can close apps and cause unsaved work to be lost. Use it only if the Mac does not respond to normal controls.

The issue continues in Safe Mode

Safe Mode does not disable every component of macOS, and it does not rule out all software or hardware causes. If the issue continues:

• Disconnect nonessential accessories.
• Install available macOS and app updates.
• Check whether the problem affects another user account.
• Back up important files.
• Consider using Disk Utility from macOS Recovery to check the startup disk.
• Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider if the Mac has repeated crashes, startup failure, unexpected shutdowns, display problems, or signs of hardware damage.

Do not erase the startup disk or reinstall macOS unless you have a current backup and understand the consequences. Erasing a disk deletes its contents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Safe Mode delete files?

No. Starting in Safe Mode is not intended to delete your personal files or apps. However, always save your work before restarting or shutting down because open apps may close and unsaved changes can be lost.

Can I use apps in Safe Mode?

Many apps open in Safe Mode, but some may not work correctly. Third-party extensions, background services, graphics features, and connected devices may be limited. Use Safe Mode for testing rather than normal daily work.

Does Safe Mode remove malware?

Safe Mode is not a complete malware-removal tool. It can prevent some software from loading, which may make troubleshooting easier, but it does not guarantee that malicious software has been removed. Use reputable security software and follow trusted removal instructions if you suspect malware.

Can Safe Mode fix a slow Mac?

Safe Mode may clear certain caches and can show whether startup software is causing the slowdown. If the Mac is still slow after restarting normally, review login items, available storage, recently installed software, and hardware condition.

What if I do not know whether my Mac has Apple silicon?

Open the Apple menu and select About This Mac. If the information shows Chip, the Mac uses Apple silicon. If it shows Processor, it is an Intel Mac.

Will Safe Mode repair my startup disk?

Safe Mode performs certain startup checks, but it is not a replacement for a full disk-repair procedure. If you suspect disk corruption, back up your files and use Disk Utility from macOS Recovery or seek professional assistance.

Do I need to hold Shift on an Apple silicon Mac?

Yes, but only after the startup options screen appears. Hold the power button until Loading startup options appears, select the startup volume, then hold Shift while clicking Continue in Safe Mode.

Final Thoughts

Safe Mode is a practical way to diagnose macOS problems without loading all of the software used during a normal startup. Use the Apple silicon or Intel procedure that matches your Mac, test whether the problem changes, and then restart normally when you are finished. If the issue disappears in Safe Mode, investigate login items, extensions, recently installed software, and connected accessories. If it continues, back up your data and consider further disk, software, or hardware troubleshooting.