Unable to startup in Safe Mode

I am having difficulty installing some software so I am trying to startup in Safe Mode to see if the problem still occurs. I restarted according to the instructions at Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support but it refuses to go into Safe Mode. Holding down power button until “Loading startup options” appears. Select volume and hold the Shift key. Then it just starts up as usual. The System Software Overview confirms that Boot Mode = Normal.


Tried several times with the same results.


I have a 2020 MacBook Air M1 running 12.4.


MacBook Air

Posted on Jun 26, 2022 01:01 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 26, 2022 06:58 PM

I understand things aren't working the way Apple describes. The following is the way it's supposed to work, expanded to include additional detail:


  1. Start with a Mac powered on in the usual manner, logged into your User Account.
  2. Shut down the Mac using  > Shut Down...
  3. Wait until the Mac actually shuts down. You can confirm it has actually shut down by pressing the Caps Lock key. The Mac will begin to start, but the Caps Lock LED will not illuminate until after the Apple logo appears. If that did not happen then it was not shut down, so you might as well start over at Step 1.
  4. Press and hold the power button / Touch ID button. "Continue holding for startup options..." will appear, followed a second or two later by "Loading startup options...". If that does not happen, you might as well start over from the beginning.
  5. When the "hard disk" and "gear" icons appear, release the power button.
  6. Select (momentarily click) the startup disk. "Continue" will appear beneath it.
  7. Press either Shift key. The "Continue" button legend should change to "Continue in Safe Mode".
  8. Continue holding the Shift key and click that button. You can release it when the indeterminate progress indicator "spinner" appears.
  9. The usual Login screen will appear, but "Safe Boot" should appear in red at the upper right of the Mac's menu bar.
  10. Log in in the usual manner. Once logged in, it might not be obvious the Mac is in Safe Mode. You can confirm that it is with  > System Information > Software. Under System Software Overview, the words Boot Mode: Safe should appear. Get system information for your Mac - Apple Support describes how to open the System Information app.


If that doesn't work then I'm out of ideas.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 26, 2022 06:58 PM in response to Gary Looft

I understand things aren't working the way Apple describes. The following is the way it's supposed to work, expanded to include additional detail:


  1. Start with a Mac powered on in the usual manner, logged into your User Account.
  2. Shut down the Mac using  > Shut Down...
  3. Wait until the Mac actually shuts down. You can confirm it has actually shut down by pressing the Caps Lock key. The Mac will begin to start, but the Caps Lock LED will not illuminate until after the Apple logo appears. If that did not happen then it was not shut down, so you might as well start over at Step 1.
  4. Press and hold the power button / Touch ID button. "Continue holding for startup options..." will appear, followed a second or two later by "Loading startup options...". If that does not happen, you might as well start over from the beginning.
  5. When the "hard disk" and "gear" icons appear, release the power button.
  6. Select (momentarily click) the startup disk. "Continue" will appear beneath it.
  7. Press either Shift key. The "Continue" button legend should change to "Continue in Safe Mode".
  8. Continue holding the Shift key and click that button. You can release it when the indeterminate progress indicator "spinner" appears.
  9. The usual Login screen will appear, but "Safe Boot" should appear in red at the upper right of the Mac's menu bar.
  10. Log in in the usual manner. Once logged in, it might not be obvious the Mac is in Safe Mode. You can confirm that it is with  > System Information > Software. Under System Software Overview, the words Boot Mode: Safe should appear. Get system information for your Mac - Apple Support describes how to open the System Information app.


If that doesn't work then I'm out of ideas.

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Unable to startup in Safe Mode

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