Mail and safari instantly crash with Ventura

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

Did you upgrade in place?

While there are certainly bugs, most of the problems immediately after an upgrade are due to old stuff, sometimes installed years ago. I routinely see users here with things like Flip4Mac, or Perian still running, even though they were discontinued years ago. And then of course many using darned things like cleanmymac...

Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.

It is very unexpected that they crash, even in Safe Mode.

Can you do yet another test? Create a new user account, login to that account, and try to launch Safari. Does it launch there?

If it does, then the problem is probably specific to the user account.

In order to see the global picture, please run the diagnostic tool Etrecheck and post its report here. Use the "additional text" button below, and paste the whole report.

Download and run Etrecheck.  Copy and paste the results into your reply. Etrecheck is a diagnostic tool that was developed by one of the most respected users here in the ASC and recommended by Apple Support  to provide a snapshot of the system and help identify the more obvious culprits that can adversely affect a Mac's performance.

Copy the report

and use the Additional Text button to paste the report in your reply.

Then we can evaluate the report to see if we can determine the cause of the problem.

Do you get any messages? Posting the EtreCheck report may help. I've got Ventura running on my 2021 16-Inch MacBook Pro and haven't experienced any issues.

Did you have any software installed beyond typical office software that may be interfering?

I'd suggest that you backup with Time Machine and reinstall the operating system but DO NOT install any applications. Then see if Mail and Safari work without crashing. If it runs okay, then transfer the applications over one at a time until you figure out which one is crashing the OS. It's hard to believe that two of the core programs are causing a problem.

What type of Mac do you have and how big is the disk drive?

Before you reinstall, per Luis's comment. Did you upgrade in place? If you just let your iMac do an upgrade and if you still have the patience. Reformat your SSD and then reinstall Ventura. This will ensure that there are no programs hanging around that may have a problem with the new OS. Then before you install any software, test Safari and Mail to see if they work.

If Safari and Mail work after a clean install, then the problem is likely an older program that is no longer compatible with Ventura. If it's working, then reload your applications one by one and test Safari and Mail between installations. Hopefully, everything will work properly this time around.

Alas, I cannot read much into a crash report. They are more geared toward developers.

I was hoping that Etrecheck would be able to provide information about your system so we might be able to look for things that might be problematic.

Something is very wrong with your system, that much is clear.

If you could run Etrecheck in Safe Mode, and post its report, that would be useful.

At this point, I am afraid that the only way forward may be doing a clean install of the OS, followed by migrating only the user accounts.

Does the same problem occur if you start in Safe Mode?

Try reinstalling macOS:

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

I mean basically what you did.

The thing is you probably upgraded also from Big Sur to Monterey and the same going back some years as nee OS are released.

Over time software is installed and you end up in Ventura possibly with things that used to work in, say, El Capitan.

Some of those things may cease to work properly and can cause problems in newer OS.

I am convinced that this is the case.

The longer but safer alternative that I always recommend (and I do practice what I preach, so to speak) is to do a clean install each year when upgrading to a major new version.

This involves:

a) making a full backup

b) creating an installer disk on a usb thumb drive

c) booting from this installer drive, erasing the internal drive completely

d) installing

e). Migrating thd user accounts- and nothing else! - from the backup

f) installing any applications needed

It sounds like a lot of work but it pays off by getting you a fresh and stable mac.

Post an Etrecheck report so we can evaluate it and see we can possibly determine the cause of the problem.

This the crash report.

I was hoping that Etrecheck would work in Safe Mode, and you could share the Etrecheck report.

Did you try running Etrecheck in Safe Mode?

If it works, click Share Report->Copy Report, and then post here.

That isn't an Etrecheck report. Rerun Etrecheck and add the report as follows;

Copy the report

and use the Additional Text button to paste the report in your reply.

Then we can evaluate the report to see if we can determine the cause of the problem.

Hi I have the same issue on my 2017 iMac 27”. Maybe the upgrade is for M1 and M2, but Intel Macs have been left behind. Most buggy full update I have ever seen. Going to downgrade back to 12.6.1 for at least 2 more updates. Mac user since 1992.

While I agree with you, but the handwriting is on the wall for the demise of Intel based machines. It will take 8-10 years but like older Macs, Apple will stop updating the software. When was the last time you saw a VCR on sale? :)