How to boot Mac in safe mode
Booting a Mac in safe mode helps find what causes a problem: macOS starts with only what it needs, checks the startup disk and clears some system caches. If the problem goes away there, an app or extension that loads at startup is the likely cause. Safe mode deletes none of your files, and the way to start it differs on a Mac with Apple silicon and an Intel Mac.
Which Mac do you have?
- Choose Apple menu › About This Mac.
- Look at the second line. Chip followed by a chip name means a Mac with Apple silicon. Processor followed by an Intel processor name means an Intel Mac.
How to boot in safe mode on a Mac with Apple silicon
- Shut down your Mac. If it won’t shut down normally, press and hold the power button for up to 10 seconds.
- Press and hold the power button. Release it when you see Loading startup options or the Options icon.
- Select your startup disk, usually Macintosh HD.
- Press and hold Shift, then click Continue in Safe Mode. The Mac restarts.
- Log in. You may be asked to log in a second time before startup finishes.
How to boot in safe mode on an Intel Mac
- Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold Shift.
- Release Shift when the login window appears, then log in.
A firmware password prevents safe mode on an Intel Mac. If you see a lock icon at startup, the Mac has one.
How to tell you’re in safe mode
The login window shows Safe Boot in red in its upper-right corner. On an Intel Mac it may appear only on the second login window. To check after you log in:
- Hold Option and choose Apple menu › System Information.
- Click Software in the sidebar and look at Boot Mode: it says Safe in safe mode and Normal otherwise.
What safe mode does
- It doesn’t load login items, extensions macOS doesn’t need, or fonts macOS didn’t install.
- It runs a basic check of the startup disk, like First Aid in Disk Utility.
- It clears some system caches, such as font and kernel caches. macOS creates them again when needed.
- Some things may not work normally: Wi-Fi, sound, graphics, file sharing, USB and Thunderbolt devices. That’s expected.
Safe mode doesn’t delete your files, apps or settings.
How to leave safe mode
Choose Apple menu › Restart. The Mac starts normally unless you hold a key again.
If the problem is gone in safe mode and comes back after a normal start, something that loads at startup is likely the cause: see how to stop apps opening at startup. If the problem stays even in safe mode, try macOS Recovery.
Keep your Mac tidy
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Questions and answers
How do I boot my Mac in safe mode?
On a Mac with Apple silicon, hold the power button until the startup options appear, select the startup disk, then hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode. On an Intel Mac, hold Shift right after you turn it on until the login window appears.
Will safe mode delete my files?
No. Safe mode only skips some startup software and clears a few system caches that macOS rebuilds. Your documents, apps and settings stay.
Why don’t Wi-Fi or sound work in safe mode?
Safe mode loads only what macOS needs to start, so some features may not work normally. Restart the Mac to get them back.