How to Boot macOS 13 in Safe Mode

Booting macOS 13 Ventura into Safe Mode is a fundamental troubleshooting step that helps isolate and resolve software conflicts, repair directory issues, and clear system caches. Safe Mode disables unnecessary startup programs, clears temporary data, and loads only the essential components required for the operating system to function. The procedure to trigger Safe Mode on macOS 13 depends on whether your computer is powered by Apple Silicon or an Intel processor.

Step 1: Identify Your Mac Processor

Before starting, confirm your Mac's architecture:

  1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Select About This Mac.
  3. Look for Chip (Apple Silicon, e.g., M1, M2) or Processor (Intel).

Safe Mode on Apple Silicon (M1/M2)

  1. Shut down your Mac completely by going to the Apple menu () > Shut Down. Wait for the screen to turn entirely black and any indicator lights to turn off.
  2. Press and hold the Power button (Touch ID button).
  3. Continue holding the power button until you see "Loading startup options" appear on the screen.
  4. Select your internal startup disk (usually labeled Macintosh HD).
  5. Press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard.
  6. While holding Shift, click the Continue in Safe Mode button beneath the startup disk icon.
  7. Release the Shift key.
  8. Log in to your Mac. You may be prompted to log in twice if FileVault is enabled.

Safe Mode on Intel-Based Macs

  1. Shut down your Mac completely via the Apple menu () > Shut Down.
  2. Press the Power button once to turn on the Mac.
  3. Immediately press and hold the Shift key as soon as the Mac powers on or plays the startup chime.
  4. Release the Shift key when the login window appears.
  5. Log in to your user account. If FileVault is enabled, you may need to log in once to unlock the disk and a second time to access your desktop.

How to Verify You Are in Safe Mode

To confirm that macOS 13 is running in Safe Mode:

  1. Press and hold the Option key on your keyboard.
  2. Click the Apple menu () and select System Information.
  3. In the sidebar, select Software.
  4. Locate the Boot Mode entry in the right-hand panel. It will state Safe instead of Normal.

(Note: "Safe Boot" will also typically appear in red text in the upper-right corner of the menu bar on the login screen.)

How to Exit Safe Mode

To return to standard operation:

  1. Click the Apple menu ().
  2. Select Restart.
  3. Do not hold down any keys while the computer restarts.