BenchReady — Safe mode versus normal startup MacBook Air (M1, 2020), Apple M1 chip · 2.0.0 Compare one repeatable symptom across verified safe mode and normal startup. MODEL FIT Choose Apple menu → About This Mac. Confirm MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and Chip: Apple M1. An Intel processor or another chip does not match. macOS Big Sur or later; Ventura and later call the preferences app System Settings. Diagnostic screens vary by macOS. Excluded: MacBook Air Intel 2020; MacBook Air M2; MacBook Pro M1 PREPARATION [ ] Apple M1 confirmed and accessible work saved [ ] Owner can sign in privately [ ] A repeatable local action that triggers the symptom [ ] Keep any existing backup accessible to you. [ ] Keep credentials and personal files outside this record. GUIDE 1. Pick one harmless local action that exposes the symptom, such as opening the same document. Record its normal-startup result before changing mode. Skip an action that would risk unsaved data. Sources: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac; Purpose of safe mode; original comparison worksheet 2. Shut down completely. Hold power until startup options load, select the startup volume, then hold Shift and choose Continue in Safe Mode. This is the Apple silicon sequence. Sources: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac; Start up your Mac with Apple silicon in safe mode 3. Sign in using your own credential. Confirm Safe Boot at the login screen or inspect System Information → Software → Boot Mode. Record safe mode only when confirmed. Sources: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac; Verify your Mac started up in safe mode 4. Perform the same available action once. If the feature cannot be tested in safe mode, mark that condition Not applicable and retain the limitation instead of declaring success. Sources: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac; Safe mode purpose; original same-action comparison 5. Restart normally and compare that action again. Retain all three results for support; a difference suggests a startup-software lead without naming a particular app. Sources: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac; Safe mode purpose / Boot Mode Normal; original comparison worksheet EVIDENCE TO RECORD Repeatable symptom: Not recorded Safe-mode evidence: Not recorded Action in safe mode: Not recorded Normal startup baseline — Same local action before changing mode: Not checked Verified safe mode — Same action only if supported and available: Not checked Normal startup afterward — Same action after a normal restart: Not checked STOP CONDITIONS Stop using and charging equipment with swelling, casing separation, smoke, a burning smell or suspected battery damage. Do not open or press on it. Set damaged accessories aside. Do not open mains adapters or force connectors. Do not erase, reset, flash firmware or bypass a lock as a default diagnostic step. OUTCOMES Comparison saved: The symptom was absent in the observed runs. Keep the baseline for recurrence. - Record how safe mode was confirmed. - Retain the original symptom and later normal-startup result. A startup-software lead is available: Use this difference with Apple or the app provider before removing software. - Share the same-action normal/safe/normal matrix. - Describe recent software changes privately to the provider. Take both startup results to support: Failure in both modes or failure to reach safe mode needs a broader review. - Report the last startup stage and whether the volume was visible. - Keep the accessible-data and backup status with the record. Keep the comparison limitation: The action is unrepeatable or unavailable in safe mode. Save that limitation for support. - Identify the action privately without uploading a document. - Do not record an unavailable feature as repaired. Keep the unanswered checks visible: The original action or safe-mode confirmation is missing, so no mode comparison can be concluded. - Provide the normal/safe/normal result and verification method. - Identify which action or startup stage could not be checked. - Keep unperformed conditions marked Not tested. Ask the provider to confirm these before further changes. Stop the powered checks: Stop using or charging damaged equipment. Keep away from hot or smoking equipment; obtain emergency help for an immediate fire risk. Arrange manufacturer guidance before handling or transport. - Tell Apple about the visible damage before arranging a MacBook Air service. - Provide the normal/safe/normal result and verification method. - Do not open the case, remove the battery, press a lifted surface, or continue a test to complete this record. SOURCES Start up your Mac in safe mode: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac (Apple silicon / Verify safe mode; checked 2026-10-13) Important safety information for your Mac: https://support.apple.com/guide/macbook-air/important-safety-information-apd9b8f7aa11/mac (Handling / Built-in battery / Charging; checked 2026-10-13) Identify MacBook Air model: https://support.apple.com/en-ie/102869 (Find model / MacBook Air M1 2020; checked 2026-10-04) MacBook Air (M1, 2020) technical specifications: https://support.apple.com/en-us/111883 (Charging and Expansion / Display Support; checked 2026-10-13) Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/102550 (Prepare / Apple silicon / Run Apple Diagnostics / Results; checked 2026-10-13) This is a blank guide. Use the website to save observations and export an importable record. No physical repair has been verified.