What does the term "Safe Mode" refer to in macOS?

The term "Safe Mode" in macOS refers to a diagnostic mode that starts the system with minimal drivers and software. When a Mac is booted in Safe Mode, it only loads essential system components and disabling non-essential applications and extensions. This is particularly useful for troubleshooting issues such as startup problems or software conflicts. Safe Mode performs a basic check of the startup disk and can help users isolate the cause of issues they may be experiencing. Therefore, the functionality of Safe Mode is geared specifically toward helping users diagnose and resolve problems effectively, making it a crucial feature of macOS for maintenance and troubleshooting.