Boot an Intel-based macOS virtual machine in Safe mode

Note: this article only applies to macOS virtual machines running on Intel-based Mac computers. 

To boot your macOS virtual machine in safe mode, please perform the following steps:

1. Make sure that the virtual machine is shut down. If it is in a suspended state, please run it and then shut down (Actions > Shut Down).
2. Open virtual machine configuration and switch to Hardware tab.
3. Highlight Boot Order from the list and expand Advanced Settings.

4. Copy and paste the following system flag:

   devices.mac.boot_args="-x -v"

   

5. Close the configuration window and launch a virtual machine.

6. If system flag was used correctly, on the login screen, Safe boot would be mentioned.

   

7. To disable Safe mode, remove the system flag used in Step 4