reboot safe mode sonoma

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Level 1

21 points

reboot safe mode sonoma

MacMini 2018 with Sonoma 14.7.1

Can't reboot in Safe Mode or Recovery Mode. Nor reset PRAM (if it's even doable nowadays?). Neither by using keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl + Cmnd + P+ R or by using the terminal. Have tried a zillion online instructions, but no go.

E.g. this "hold the power button until login options shows" fails. The screens just goes black. Have sometimes kept the button pressed for 6-7 minutes. Nothing happens. Just black and obviously turned off since I just have to press it once again and it starts up (in Normal mode).

(Sidenote: I have two screens on Thunderbolt and one on HDMI. Could this be the reason the Mac gets confused?)

Also baffled that Cmnd + Crtl + P + R doesn't work. Always did on my previous Macs. Was thinking it might have to do with my keyboard and keyboard language selection, which is Swedish, while my system language is English?

Anyway, I dearly need to know how to reboot in Safe and/or Recovery Mode in Sonoma, preferably via Terminal. If you need more info, let me know.

Looking forward to fruitful replies, and I'll mail a pic of a beer to provider.

Happy New Year!

Mac mini, macOS 14.7

Posted on Jan 7, 2025 5:22 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Danne_V Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 8, 2025 9:22 AM in response to Danne_V

Solved. And I'm a bit embarrased.

I've been around for a while. Bought my first Mac 1992. From when Apple first launched Mac OSX with their version of Linux, it's always been "press keys after the chime" when using keyboard shortcuts to boot in different modes.

That's what I've done the past 20 or so years.

Now I recalled that none of instructions, hints or your suggestions ever mention "after chime" or anything like it. So I tried pressing the keys immediatelly efter pressing the power button.

And it worked.

My apologies to everyone who advised me to press keys "immediatelly". To me, that meant to press them immediatelly after the chime.

So, thanks all for hearing me out and trying to help. But next time someone asks i similar question, tell him/her to press the keys immediatelly after power button is pressed and NOT wait for the chime.

Cheers, and thanks.

Oh, about the keyboard: It's Mac. As the oldtimer I am, it's wired.

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Answer 2

Kurt Lang

Level 9

69,673 points

Jan 7, 2025 2:34 PM in response to Danne_V

It's already been explained, but here it is again.

A 2018 mini has an Intel processor.

In order to boot into Safe Mode, restart the Mac. Immediately press and HOLD the Shift key. Do not let go until you are prompted for your user login password.

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

105,007 points

Jan 8, 2025 2:07 AM in response to Danne_V

The Mac Mini is a headless, keyboard-less and mouse-less computer

Do we agree on this

So, what Type of Keyboard is being used to perform the Safe Boot, SMC Reset or NVRAM Reset ?

As have been mentioned, sometimes using a Bluetooth Keyboard may or may not function soon enough to perform these actions

That is why I always keep a cheap USB Keyboard and USB Mouse at the ready for just this special occasion

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

136,583 points

Jan 7, 2025 6:00 AM in response to Danne_V

Danne_V wrote:

MacMini 2018 with Sonoma 14.7.1

E.g. this "hold the power button until login options shows" fails. The screens just goes black. Have sometimes kept the button pressed for 6-7 minutes. Nothing happens. Just black and obviously turned off since I just have to press it once again and it starts up (in Normal mode).

That is only for Apple Silicon Macs.

See: Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

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Answer 5

Owl-53

Level 10

105,007 points

Jan 7, 2025 7:21 AM in response to Danne_V

Shutdown the computer

Restart computer and immediately hold the two keyboard combo Command r

If using a Bluetooth Keyboard with Rechargeable Battery

Cable the Keyboard to computer for this unique purpose.

Bluetooth Kernel may not load soon enough to execute the 2 keyboard commands

Reset the SMC of your Mac

Reset NVRAM on your Mac

The same Bluetooth Keyboard ?

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

136,583 points

Jan 7, 2025 7:24 AM in response to Danne_V

Danne_V wrote:

As I have Intel processors, what are my options?

Did you read the page I linked?

"If using any other Mac

Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key as your Mac starts up. When you see the login window, release the Shift key.

You might see ”Safe Boot” in red text in the upper-right corner of the login window. It might appear on this login window or—if you’re asked to log in again—on the second login window."

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Answer 7

Danne_V Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 7, 2025 7:14 AM in response to dialabrain

Exactly WHAT is only for Silicon Macs? The "hold the power button until login options shows" or that the screens goes black?

Please be detailed.

As I have Intel processors, what are my options?

Cheers,

Danne

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Answer 8

Danne_V Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 7, 2025 12:20 PM in response to dialabrain

Yes, I read the page you linked to. Which is exactly the same page I've followed several dozens of times before. Have tried pressing/releasing the Shift key umpteen variations of fast, slow. No go.

Hence, my post here.

Can I do this from the terminal?

Cheers!

Danne

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Answer 9

dialabrain

Level 10

136,583 points

Jan 7, 2025 7:30 AM in response to Danne_V

As it looks on the page…

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Answer 10

dialabrain

Level 10

136,583 points

Jan 8, 2025 10:04 AM in response to Danne_V

All's well that ends well. You're welcome.

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Answer 11

Kurt Lang

Level 9

69,673 points

Jan 8, 2025 2:48 PM in response to Danne_V

My apologies to everyone who advised me to press keys "immediately". To me, that meant to press them immediately after the chime.

That's actually a common error for long time Mac users. I did that on the day I replaced a G4 tower with a G5 tower. I initially couldn't figure out why the Mac kept ignoring the key I was holding down.

The issue is quite simply, speed. On older machines, you still had time to press a key after the chime and have the firmware recognize it. But as speeds went up, that's too slow. The Mac had already looked to see if a modifier key was being held, saw none and moved on.

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