Safe Boot for Macs

Safe Boot (a term often used interchangeably used with Safe Mode) boots the computer without third party applications, extensions, or graphics drivers required by macOS. It also does a basic check of your startup disk, similar to using Disk Utility. It will also delete some system caches, including font caches and the kernel cache. If your computer isn’t booting properly or if you are having excessively slow startups, this may help you isolate and diagnose the issue.

How To Open With Safe Boot

Step 1: Restart your computer by clicking on the Apple Menu in the top left corner (), then clicking Restart

Step 2: Hold the shift key while your computer starting, before the Apple logo appears. You can let go when the Apple icon and loading screen appears

Step 3: When your computer is finished loading and the lock screen appears, check the top right corner for “SAFE BOOT” This means you successfully booted in Safe Mode

Safe Boot in the top right corner confirms that you have booted in the correct mode

You can also check in your computer’s System Report to to see which Boot Mode you are in. It is located in:

Apple Menu > About This Mac > System Report > Software > Boot Mode

If Your Computer Booted in Safe Mode

And you aren’t experiencing the same issue as before: You are most likely experiencing a software issue that is preventing successful startup or runtime. If you get crash reports from a program or Apple, take note of what they say

You are still experiencing the same issue as before: The issue is not necessarily related something that starts up with the computer. From here, it may be beneficial to use Activity Monitor (link) to troubleshoot

To exit Safe Mode: Restart your computer using the same steps above. Click the Apple Menu in the top left corner (), then click Restart. The computer should boot in its regular mode

If Your Computer Did Not Start in Safe Mode

Try to boot in Safe Mode again. If you have a wireless keyboard, you have to wait until after the startup chime to press shift

If Your Computer Is Completely Unable To Boot

See our Mac Guides page and find the error/fix that best describes your situation

You can always take your computer to the Help Desk, an authorized repair shop, or an Apple store. You don’t have to do this on your own!