How do I get my iMac 24” M4 iMac into safe mode?

[blackxacto]

iMac 24” M4 iMac 10 core 16gbRAM, Tahoe 26.2:

Holding SHIFT does not do it.
Holding Power, Continue, then holding SHIFT does not do it.

I can't get into safe mode? Does anyone know how?

 

[chabig]

For you, the paragraph about Apple Silicon is applicable. You said, "Holding Power, Continue, then holding SHIFT does not do it." That's the right way, but pay attention to the details of Apple's document and follow them exactly. If you don't get the timing right, start over. It'll work.

Start up your Mac in safe mode

Starting up your Mac in safe mode may help you diagnose problems with your Mac.

support.apple.com

 

[Boppi]

Not sure why it has to be that way. To DFU a M series MacBook and holding key combinations with (almost exact) timing is inconvenient, to say the least.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Not sure why it has to be that way. To DFU a M series MacBook and holding key combinations with (almost exact) timing is inconvenient, to say the least.

I wonder if you are confusing Safe Mode with DFU Mode?

Getting into Safe Mode on a Silicon mac is very easy (as link above), but getting into DFU Mode is most definitely not, as you imply.

 

[blackxacto]

Called Apple Tech support because I did the startup procedure every way I could find and I've never been in Safe Boot mode on this machine. We discovered that building an external bootable CLONE volume interfered with the 24” M4 iMac 10 core 16gbRAM Tahoe safety procedures. I ejected the external CLONE. Shut down. Help Power button/clicked my main booting SSD (Now I see a message to continue in safe mode)/Hold SHIFT/release shift to log in. Now see RED SAFE MODE top right screen. System Report/Software/Safe Mode.

The Bootable Clone stopped safe mode. After ejecting it, Tahoe allowed me Safe Mode.

 

[Mike Boreham]

The Bootable Clone stopped safe mode. After ejecting it, Tahoe allowed me Safe Mode.

I have not heard this before, and was curious whether it was generally the situation. So I created a TEST bootable external and had no trouble booting into Safe Mode on both the internal and external with the external attached. M4 Mini on Tahoe 26.2.

Something else was happening in your set up to explain why the external stopped you....not surprising as the whole subject of bootable externals has been fraught with problems and changes since Silicon first arrived (though has improved a lot).

 

[blackxacto]

All i can report is what happened to me. CCC7 created my bootable clone. Ill report back if anything further