How do I disable FileVault to boot my MacBook Pro M4 in safe mode

Disabling FileVault

1. Open System Preferences: Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen and select System Preferences.

2. Access Security & Privacy: In the System Preferences window, click on Security & Privacy.

3. Unlock FileVault Settings: Click the lock icon at the bottom left of the window, enter your administrator name and password, and click Unlock.

4. Turn Off FileVault: Click Turn Off FileVault and then confirm by clicking Turn Off Encryption when prompted. This process may take some time as it decrypts your startup disk.

5. Wait for Decryption: You can continue using your Mac while the decryption process is ongoing. However, it's recommended to let it complete before proceeding to ensure that FileVault is fully disabled.

Booting in Safe Mode

Once FileVault is disabled, you can boot your MacBook Pro in safe mode. Here’s how:

1. Shut Down Your Mac: Click the Apple logo and select Shut Down. Wait for your Mac to fully shut down.

2. Start Up in Safe Mode: Press the power button to turn on your Mac. For Apple Silicon Macs like the M4, press and hold the power button until you see the Loading startup options screen.

3. Select Startup Disk: Choose your startup disk (e.g., Macintosh HD**).

4. Enter Safe Mode: Press and hold the Shift key, then click Continue in Safe Mode. Release the Shift key after selecting this option.

5. Log In: Your Mac will boot into safe mode. You'll see Safe Boot in red in the upper right corner of the login screen. Log in using your account credentials.

Note on FileVault and Safe Mode

Booting in safe mode with FileVault enabled does not affect the functionality of safe mode itself. However, disabling FileVault is necessary if you want to ensure that your startup disk is fully decrypted and accessible during troubleshooting. If you only need to troubleshoot issues without decrypting the disk, you can boot in safe mode with FileVault still enabled by following the safe mode steps above[3].

Terminal Command for Disabling FileVault

If you prefer using Terminal, you can disable FileVault with the following command:

- Open Terminal from the Applications/Utilities folder.
- Type `sudo fdesetup disable` and press Enter.
- Enter your administrator password when prompted.

This method also requires you to enter your username and password again to confirm the action[4].

Recovery Mode

If your Mac won't boot normally, you can disable FileVault from Recovery Mode, though this is more complex and typically not necessary unless you're dealing with a boot issue[4].