You might have punched the red Safe mode button by accident or consciously entered into Safe Mode to eliminate disturbing apps.
But now you’re stuck with basic bloatware or system apps with lackluster functionality and little sparkle.
Either way, we will walk you through just how to turn off safe mode, show why it’s important, and how you can use it to eliminate malicious apps on your Android device.
Before we move any further, what is safe mode all about?
What is Safe Mode in Android?
Safe mode is like a safe house in your system software that allows only default or bloatware apps to run. During safe mode, you cannot access most third-party apps rather you’re limited to system applications like contacts, settings, clock, etc.
It’s called safe mode for a good reason, which is to test-run your Android device without the deluxe features of the apps on Google Play Store.
Naturally, you will want to enable safe mode to troubleshoot your device and locate malicious apps that are causing frequent crashes, freezing, or slow performance.
If your device runs smoothly in safe mode then you can proceed to scan through your application list and fish out the misbehaving apps.
How to Turn Off Save Mode on Android
If you happen to be stuck in safe mode, don’t panic because we will show you an easy way out. There are three methods of disabling safe mode on an Android device, one of which is simply rebooting your device.
Rebooting is like a universal solution for most software crashes, bug fixes, and laggy performance. It’s not surprising that it can opt you out of safe mode.
Reboot your Android Device
Follow the steps below to reboot your Android device:
- Hold and press the power button. In some other devices, press and hold the power and volume up buttons for a while.
- Click on restart or slide the restart icon.
If you turned off your device press the power key to turn it back into normal mode. This should get you out of safe mode in a jiffy but if it doesn’t work follow the next step.
Turn Off Safe Mode with the Notification Panel
This is not available on every device but it is the easiest way to turn off safe mode in your device.
Follow the steps below to use the notification panel to disable safe mode:
- Swipe down from the top of your screen
- Tap on the notification “safe mode is turned on”
- Select turn off Safe mode
Still stuck in safe mode? this next hack may be your best bet.
Make use of Hardware Buttons
Hardware buttons simply consist of your power and volume buttons.
You can follow the steps below to turn off safe mode with hardware buttons
- Power off your device
- Press and hold the power button until your device lights up with the device logo
- Release the power key then press the volume down button until it turns on.
Alternatively, some other devices may be required to do the following:
- Turn off your phone
- Press and hold the power and volume key to enter recovery mode
- While in recovery mode, use the volume key to navigate to start
- Hold down the power button until the phone powers up
A Fresh Start with Factory Settings
This is the last option when you’ve exhausted all possible means of disabling safe mode on your device. It is worth noting that factory settings will wipe your phone data and reset it to the original state when it was manufactured.
In short, your device will be filled with bloatware apps and default functionalities.
Having that in mind, you will have to back up your phone data to Google Drive before burning the bridges.
On the bright side, your device will be freed from hidden files, junk files, and apps taking up much memory space. Leaving you with a enough free memory for a fresh start.
You can reset your device by doing the following:
- Launch the Settings app
- Navigate to System
- Select Reset options and click on Erase all data(factory set)
- Input your password, pin, or pattern
- Tap on Erase all data
How to Turn on Safe Mode on Android
You can use Safe Mode to resolve system glitches, and app crashes by running some tests on your device. Which will help you know if the poor performance is from your device or an annoying app.
You can disable safe mode by doing the following:
Restart into Safe Mode
- Hold down the power key while your device is on
- Hold down the power off button until the Restart to safe mode pop-up appears
- Select ok to Restart your device into safe mode
Your mobile phone will restart as usual but when it comes up you will see safe mode written at the bottom left corner of your screen
Use Hardware Buttons to Turn on Safe Mode
- Turn off your device.
- Long press the power key until the welcome animation starts.
- Quickly release the power key, then press and hold the volume key until your device boots completely.
- Safe mode will then appear at the bottom left corner of the screen.
How to Troubleshoot Apps while in Safe Mode
Once your safe mode is active, all third-party apps will be disabled, giving you the freedom to weed out stubborn apps. You can do this by clearing the cache data, and app storage or deleting the app entirely.
It will be a breeze if you are aware of the app that has refused to fall in line, just go to the app and wipe the memory or uninstall it.
Conversely, you will have to scan through your long list of apps keeping an eye on recently downloaded apps, apps that run in the background, and unused apps.
How to clear an app cache data
To do this follow the procedures below:
- Tap on the Settings icon
- Scroll down to Apps and choose to See all apps
- Select the faulty app
- Click on Storage & cache
- Tap on Clear cache
If you’re still stuck in limbo, you can move on to clear the storage data. But note that this action will clear the app data completely and you will have to set it up as you will do to a newly downloaded app.
How to clear app storage data
- Go to Settings
- Navigate to Apps and tap on See all apps
- Select the disturbing app
- Enter Storage & cache
- Click on Clear storage
How to uninstall the app
- Hit the Settings icon
- Scroll down to Apps and select See all apps
- Choose the faulty app
- Punch the uninstall option
- Tap on the confirm notification
If your device is still acting all wonky, then chances are that your device might be the problem. In this case, you can try updating your operating system.
Software updates are an effective way to keep your device in shape because it helps with bug fixes, new system features, and updated Android versions.
Here’s how to update your device operating system:
- Go to Settings
- Scroll down to System
- Select System update
- Check your system update status, If there is an available update, follow the instructions to update your device.
If the problem persists then may be it’s time you take the phone to a repair shop or bite the bullet and get a new device.
FAQs
- What is safe mode?
Safe mode is a feature that allows you to restart your device with only system applications as most third-party application features will be disabled.
- Why is my Android phone stuck in safe mode?
An Android phone will activate safe mode to protect the device from malicious third-party apps eating up system resources.
- How do I turn off safe mode without the button?
Here’s how to turn off safe mode without the button
- Swipe down from the top of your screen
- Tap on the notification “safe mode is enabled”
- Select turn off Safe mode
- How do you get safe mode on Android?
Follow the steps to restart your Android device into safe mode
- Hold down the power key while your device is on
- Long press the power off button until the Restart to safe mode pop-up appears
- Select ok to Restart your device into safe mode
- Why does safe mode keep turning on?
This is most likely because of a faulty phone or tablet button that keeps booting your device into safe mode. Remove the device casing or repair the malfunctioning button.
