When starting up in Safe Mode, macOS does delete certain files and caches to help improve the overall performance and stability of the system. In Safe Mode, the operating system disables unnecessary extensions, startup items, and login items, allowing the system to run with minimal resources.
One of the things that macOS deletes in Safe Mode is font caches. Font caches are files that store information about the fonts installed on your Mac. These caches help the system load fonts more quickly. However, over time, these caches can become corrupted or outdated, leading to font-related issues. When you start up in Safe Mode, macOS deletes these font caches and creates fresh ones, which can help resolve font-related problems.
In addition to font caches, macOS also deletes the kernel cache in Safe Mode. The kernel cache is a file that stores information about the core components of the operating system. It helps speed up the boot process by preloading necessary system files. However, if the kernel cache becomes corrupted, it can cause various issues such as slow boot times or system instability. Deleting the kernel cache in Safe Mode allows macOS to rebuild it, potentially resolving any kernel-related problems.
Furthermore, Safe Mode also clears other system caches, such as the user cache and system cache files. Caches are temporary files that store frequently accessed data, allowing for quicker access in subsequent operations. However, caches can also become bloated or corrupted over time, leading to performance issues. By deleting these caches in Safe Mode, macOS ensures that the system starts fresh and can rebuild them as needed.
It’s important to note that starting up in Safe Mode is a troubleshooting step and should not be the default way of using your Mac. While it can help resolve certain issues, it also disables some features and may limit the functionality of your system. Therefore, it’s recommended to only use Safe Mode when necessary and to restart your Mac normally once the troubleshooting is complete.
In my personal experience, I have found Safe Mode to be helpful in resolving various issues on my Mac. For example, I once encountered a situation where my Mac was freezing frequently and experiencing slow performance. After starting up in Safe Mode and allowing macOS to delete the necessary files and caches, the system became more responsive, and the freezing issue was resolved. It’s amazing how a simple step like starting up in Safe Mode can make a significant difference in the overall performance and stability of the system.
To summarize, when starting up in Safe Mode, macOS deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system caches to help improve performance and resolve various issues. This allows the system to start fresh and rebuild necessary files as needed. However, it’s important to remember that Safe Mode should only be used as a troubleshooting step and not as the default way of using your Mac.