How to Boot Your Mac into Verbose Mode?

Suppose your Mac computer has some issues, and you don't know how to detect the issue. When the Mac computer starts misbehaving, it might be difficult to tell you the exact reason that causes this issue.

Fortunately, Verbose Mode is the startup mode on your Mac computer that assists you in diagnosing the issues your Mac device must be facing.

However, it doesn't support macOS 11.2 or later, but it might be pretty helpful for previous versions.

What is Verbose Mode?

You can assume Verbose mode as a booting mode on Mac that has the job on hands to take the spot of the graphical startup screen through the command lines series.

This command-line shows you the operations Mac performs and what kind of software and drivers have been loaded upon programming or startup.

The verbose mode might help you know about your Mac computer's issue, including third-party applications or Mac white screen. You can find the exact problem you're facing by carefully reading those technical texts and understanding their meaning.

Usually, the messages you see on the screen with the words failed, error, or terminated helps you locate the problem. However, you'll need to remember that Verbose Mode can only locate the problem as it can't fix your issue.

Moreover, the command lines on the screen come with complicated technical texts, and only advanced users familiar with computer geeks or Unix can understand the technical texts.

Unfortunately, common users will find it hard to understand the terms appropriately.

How to enable Mac Verbose Mode?

Starting your Mac computer in Verbose Mode is pretty simple as you'll only need to follow the instructions below to put the things in order.

Step 1. If your Mac computer is running, you'll need to turn it off to begin the proceedings.

Step 2. Press Mac's power button to start your Mac.

Step 3. You'll need to press and hold Mac's Command + V combinations when your Mac computer tends to boot up.

If the command lines' series appears on your screen, it will suggest that the system has been entered into Verbose Mode.

When Mac completes the startup process, Verbose Mode will be terminated automatically, and a desktop or macOS login screen will appear afterward.

Note: You need to enter the firmware password in case you set a Mac firmware passcode.

How to always boot Mac computer in Verbose Mode?

When you opt to boot your Mac computer in Verbose Mode, things might be a bit different from what you've anticipated in the first place. You may need to opt for Mac OS's built-in application.

Here's how to do it.

Step 1. After opening Launchpad, you'll need to navigate to Other Folder and choose Terminal application afterward. Alternatively, you can opt for Spotlight to search Terminal on the menu bar.

Step 2. Tap the Return key option after inputting the command written below into your Mac's Terminal window. It may ask you to input the administrator password of your Mac device.

sudo nvram boot-args="-v"

Step 3. Now, you'll need to restart your Mac after quitting Terminal to find out if Verbose Mode works.

The command we've used has the reputation of altering the NVRAM settings. Moreover, it also boots into Mac's Verbose Mode. You'll need to be careful when tinkering with the NVRAM settings on your M1/M2/M3 Mac, as any problems or errors might ask you to reinstall the entire system again.

How to get out of Verbose Mode?

Running the Mac computer in Verbose Mode might slow down your Mac; hence, you might want to exit this feature in the first place soon after you fixed the Mac issues it diagnosed earlier. You can follow the step-by-step guide below to disable Verbose Mode on your Mac.

Step 1. You'll need to open Launchpad and navigate to the Other Folder and Terminal Utility icon. You can use spotlight search to Terminal by pressing Command + Space button combinations.

Step 2. Select the Return key option after typing the following command into your Terminal window. If prompted, you need to type in the administrator password.

sudo NVRAM boot-args=" "

Step 3. To check if your Mac computer boots normally, you'll need to restart your Mac after quitting the Terminal. This post will explain every aspect of Verbose Mode and how to disable and enable Mac Verbose Mode.

FAQs about Verbose Mode

1. What is the difference between Safe mode and Verbose Mode?

Verbose tends to load up everything happening in the background upon Mac startup. It helps you detect the issue your device might be having. Mac Safe Mode, on the other hand, doesn't perform the activities which Verbose Mode does. Instead, it tends to load crucial kernel extensions required to run the Mac.

2. What to do when Mac refuses to boot on Verbose Mode

If you fail in booting Mac computer in Verbose Mode, you can opt for another way to serve your purpose. You can boot your device into recovery mode to fix the issue you're facing.

If you want to enter Intel-based Mac into macOS Recovery mode, you'll need to press and hold command + R button combinations.

However, if you have M1/M2/M3 Mac and intend to put Mac into recovery mode, press and hold Mac's power button and then release it when the loading startup option appears. Next, all you need to do is hit Continue after selecting Options.

Final Words

Putting your Mac in and out of Verbose Mode doesn't ask you to do much. But, you'll need to acquire prior knowledge to diagnose the issues with your Mac computer. If you're a starter, you might find it reasonably hard to understand the technical texts.

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