What Is Safe Mode?

Safe Mode boots Android with only the pre-installed system apps — all downloaded apps are disabled. It is used for diagnosing app problems. “Safe mode” appears in the bottom corner of the screen when active.

How to Exit Safe Mode

  1. 1

    Restart your phone normally

    Hold the power button → tap Restart (or Power off, then power back on). Safe Mode is not persistent — a normal restart exits it immediately. This is almost always all that is needed.

  2. 2

    If Safe Mode keeps coming back — check for a stuck button

    Safe Mode is triggered during startup when a volume button is held down. If the phone keeps returning to Safe Mode, a volume button may be physically stuck. Press both volume buttons to confirm they spring back freely. Remove your phone case and try restarting.

  3. 3

    Alternative: notification panel

    On some Android versions, a Safe Mode notification appears in the notification bar. Pull down the notification shade and tap Turn off Safe Mode if it appears.

Use Safe Mode to diagnose app problemsIf an app is crashing your phone, boot into Safe Mode deliberately (see FAQ below). If the phone runs fine in Safe Mode, a downloaded app is causing the problem. Uninstall recently added apps one by one to find the culprit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Power off completely. Press the power button to start. When the manufacturer logo appears, hold the volume down button until startup finishes. Safe mode appears in the corner confirming it worked. The exact method varies by manufacturer — search for your specific model if this does not work.
Yes — Safe Mode only disables third-party apps, it does not delete them or any data. Your photos, contacts, messages and installed apps are all intact and return to normal when you restart normally.