In what situation would a user use Safe Mode on a Mac?

Using Safe Mode on a Mac is primarily intended for troubleshooting. When a user starts their Mac in Safe Mode, it loads only the essential system components required for the operating system to run. This includes only necessary drivers and services, while disabling non-essential features, such as fonts and startup items that may be causing conflicts or issues.

This minimal setup allows users to identify and typically resolve problems that may be affecting the Mac's performance, such as software crashes, issues with peripherals, or problems starting up the system. Since Safe Mode restricts background processes and additional user-installed software, it provides a clearer view of whether a problem is stemming from essential system functionality or other installed applications.

In contrast, enhancing gaming performance, speeding up file transfers, or updating the operating system are unrelated to the purpose of Safe Mode. These activities involve regular, fully operational conditions where the Mac runs all services and features rather than in the limited environment provided by Safe Mode.