How do I reset my Mac in safe mode?

Answered by James Kissner

To reset your Mac in safe mode, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the power button on your Mac until you see the “Loading startup options” screen. This screen usually has a gray background and shows various options for starting up your Mac.

2. Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, navigate to the volume you want to start up in safe mode. This could be your main startup disk or an external drive connected to your Mac. Once you’ve selected the desired volume, press the Return or Enter key.

3. Now, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard and click the “Continue in Safe Mode” button. This will initiate the safe mode startup process.

4. Your Mac will now restart automatically and boot into safe mode. Safe mode is a troubleshooting mode that helps diagnose and fix various software issues. It disables unnecessary extensions, login items, and certain system processes.

5. Once your Mac has started up in safe mode, you’ll notice some changes in appearance. The menu bar may have a “Safe Boot” label, and your desktop may look slightly different. This is normal in safe mode.

6. In safe mode, you can perform various troubleshooting tasks. You can check for software conflicts, repair disk permissions, uninstall problematic apps, and more. Use this opportunity to diagnose and resolve any issues you may be experiencing with your Mac.

7. When you’re done troubleshooting in safe mode, you can restart your Mac normally to exit safe mode. Simply go to the Apple menu and choose the “Restart” option.

It’s important to note that safe mode is not intended for regular use. It’s primarily a troubleshooting tool. If your Mac consistently requires safe mode to boot up properly, it may indicate underlying issues that need further investigation or repair.

In my personal experience, I’ve used safe mode on my Mac to troubleshoot startup issues and resolve software conflicts. It’s a handy feature that can help identify and fix various problems. However, it’s always advisable to seek professional help if you’re unsure about performing any troubleshooting steps yourself.

Resetting your Mac in safe mode involves pressing and holding the power button, selecting a volume, pressing and holding the Shift key, and clicking “Continue in Safe Mode.” Safe mode can be a useful troubleshooting tool, but it’s not meant for regular use.