A safe mode is a great tool that helps you understand if a third-party app is responsible for problems you may experience with your smartphone. These include things like overheating, automatic restart several times a day, crash, and more.
So how exactly can safe mode help? Well, when you start the device in safe mode, all third-party apps are disabled, while the pre-installed ones still work (YouTube, Gmail …). If the problem is resolved in safe mode, you can be sure that one of the third-party apps is responsible for it.
The only problem is that it may not be obvious what the culprit is since it is not possible to disable a single app. However, you can understand which app was installed immediately before the problem started and get rid of it from the device, doing so should solve the problem.
Entering Safe Mode is an easy task to complete and will take no more than a minute of your time. See the brief instructions on how to access Safe Mode below.
How to enter Safe Mode
So you want to know how to get into safe mode? It is actually quite easy. To enter safe mode, hold down the power button, just like you do when you turn off the device. When the shutdown icon opens on the screen, touch and holds for a second or two, select OK and just wait for the device to restart. That’s all.
When the device turns back on, you will see a “Safe Mode” badge in the lower-left part of the screen and all third-party apps will be disabled.
Step by step instructions:
Step 1: Press and hold the power button.
Step 2: Touch and hold the shutdown icon that appears on the screen.
Step 3: Tap OK when the safe mode option appears and wait for the device to restart.
In the event that the problem persists even in safe mode, there is a good chance that it is caused by the hardware and not by the software. In this case, you should consider reading this article on how to restore your Android device.
So now you know how to access Safe Mode. But what if you accidentally threw it and want to go back?
How to disable safe mode
There are some occasions whose phones may have restarted in safe mode, and it is not always obvious to know how to go back and exit that mode.
This can be extremely frustrating, especially for casual users who aren’t as intimate with some of their phone’s features as hardened Android fans.
Those of you imprisoned in safe mode, don’t worry! This guide will help you solve your problem and get back to using the phone as you have always known and loved it.
Because your phone is in safe mode
Usually, the phone goes into a safe mode if something really bad happened. Maybe an app was seriously taken out or a function of the main system went haywire. You may have even been attacked by malware of some kind.
Alternatively, you may have accidentally put your phone in safe mode on its own. Just as you can frame your boss at the exact moment you start complaining, you can also secure your device. Nothing is 100% resistant.
Android Safe Mode has practically the same purpose as its analog in Windows if you are familiar with it.
Safe mode removes the operating system from its main functions, preventing you from performing anything that has not been installed on the phone. It is a tool designed for troubleshooting, but if you have nothing to solve, it only prevents you from using all the features of your device. (Refreshment in memory)
We approach these solutions from the most common to the least likely.
Reboot your device
In most cases and for most users, this is the solution you are looking for. Generally, the safe mode should not remain operational for multiple sessions, so restart your phone and check if the problem persists.
Hold down the power button, tap Turn Off, and let your phone enjoy the sweet oblivion of the five seconds before it restarts.
Try the notifications panel
This does not apply to all smartphones, but some devices will have a notification in safe mode in the notification bar. Scroll down once or twice to find the Exit Safe Mode option and tap on it.
No way? Well, let’s start using the hardware.
Reboot via the Volume Down button
This method didn’t work for me, but many users have reported that they are able to exit the infinite safe mode by turning off their device and then turning it back on while holding down the power button and the Volume Down button simultaneously.
Take out the battery
Turn off the device, remove the back of the phone, and remove the battery. You must wait about a minute for the battery to fully discharge from the phone before reinserting it.
Remove some apps
If you haven’t bingo with the tips above, you probably have a problem with the app. One of your apps is causing an error and your phone is starting up in safe mode to prevent the app from wreaking havoc on your device. Time to find the culprit and take him out.
Although apps cannot be run in safe mode, you can uninstall them. Go to Settings> Apps to get a list of your downloaded apps. Touch an app to select it, then touch Uninstall to remove it.
The app that is restarting your phone in safe mode is most likely the one you recently downloaded, so start with the latest apps by going back. Uninstall the suspicious app, and restart the phone.