How do I boot my MacBook Pro M4 into safe mode

1. Shut Down Your MacBook: Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and select "Shut Down." Wait for your MacBook to completely shut down. This is indicated when the screen is black and any lights, including those in the Touch Bar, are off.

2. Access Startup Options: Press and hold the power button on your MacBook until you see the "Loading startup options" screen. This screen allows you to select which volume (or startup disk) you want to use.

3. Select Your Startup Disk: Choose the volume you typically use to start your MacBook. This is usually labeled as "Macintosh HD" or a similar name.

4. Enter Safe Mode: Press and hold the Shift key, then click "Continue in Safe Mode." Your MacBook will restart automatically and boot into safe mode.

5. Log In: When the login window appears, enter your password as you normally would. You might need to log in twice if you have FileVault enabled. Once logged in, you should see "Safe Boot" in the menu bar, confirming that you are in safe mode.

6. Verify Safe Mode: If you're unsure whether you're in safe mode, you can check by using the System Information app. Press and hold the Option key, then select "System Information" from the Apple menu. In the System Information app, go to the "Software" section and look for "Boot Mode," which should say "Safe" if you're in safe mode.

Safe mode is useful for troubleshooting issues with your MacBook, as it performs certain checks and prevents some software from loading automatically. It can help resolve startup disk issues, load only essential kernel extensions, and clean system caches, among other functions[1][3][10].