Viruses and malware are just part of the reality of modern technology. Everything comes with a cost, doesn’t it? You probably already know that you can take steps to protect your device from these problems, but what about after it’s already infected? That’s where Safe Mode comes in. Want to know more about it and how it can help you? Well, look no further, because this ultimate guide has everything you need to know about this useful feature and what it can do for you.
What Really Is Safe Mode for Android?
Basically, Android Safe Mode involves similar methods to Safe Mode for Windows, an older feature that you may already be familiar with (and if not, sit tight. We’ll get more into that later in this guide.) The feature itself lets you use your phone like the first time you’ve set your hands on it. Simply put, in Android Safe Mode, you’ll only be able to use the preloaded apps which comes in handy if a third-party app keeps the phone from functioning properly. To make it simpler, let’s put it this way: Safe Mode is like a temporary factory reset. Temporary as you can only have the default experience while the phone is in that Mode and reclaim your files and downloaded apps once you opt to boot into normal mode.
Why Should You Use Safe Mode on Android?
It is a diagnostic tool for device issues that may arise every now and then. How does it work? Check this out: Let’s say, your smartphone keeps on crashing or is incredibly laggy (or both!). If you boot your Android phone into Safe Mode and those problems disappear, you’ll be sure that the issue isn’t caused by the default apps and settings. Now, which one’s the culprit? It can be a third-party app you’ve recently downloaded. To make sure, lets you have a peek on all the programs that may have caused the problem. Using the process of elimination, you’ll know which one is to blame. Gotcha! I know your heart springs with joy and gratefulness to the one who integrated this helpful feature to our devices. Here’s a quick look back at Safe Mode’s history:
A Brief History of Safe Mode
Microsoft started the problem-diagnosing bandwagon several years ago for their product: the Windows platform. Computers running on Windows OS all come with this mode so that PC users and repairmen won’t be spending a great deal of time on pinpointing a single problem. Did it work? Yes! It was embraced by computer manufacturers and they started integrating the feature on all their products. With the popularity of Android smartphones on the rise through the years, it also found its way to these portable mini-computers. If it ain’t for Microsoft, we won’t be having Safe Mode on any of our devices. Thanks, Microsoft! Now that we’re done with the overview (which caused you to read multiple paragraphs), let’s get on the real thing!
Every Problem Has a Solution
I had plenty of time to research about the most common things people ask regarding Safe Mode. Forums are readily available on the web, which is why I’m very thankful. I noticed that the most-searched questions are: How do I boot my Android phone into Safe Mode? How do I turn off Safe Mode on Android? Lucky for you, you came to the right place. Without further ado, I’ll talk you through turning Safe Mode on and off on your Android device.
How to Boot Your Android Phone into Safe Mode
1. Using the Power Button
This method usually works well with newer phones. If you own a device that’s running on Android 4.0 platform and above, go ahead and try this one.
Step 1
Press and hold the Power button until the Power Off option appears on the screen.
Step 2
Tap and hold the Power Off option. You should see the option to reboot into Safe Mode. Some devices, like mine, did not bother asking to turn on Safe Mode as it immediately restarted and Voila! My phone’s in mode of safety.
Step 3
Check the lower left corner of the screen and if you see Safe Mode, you’ve successfully enabled the feature on your phone.
2. Using Power + Volume Button
You’ve guessed it right, the third method is a combination of the two powerful buttons. Actually, it works the same thing as turning off the Safe Mode on your Android phone. If your phone runs on an operating system that’s older than Android 4.0, you should try this method. It’s not only for older phones; it also works on some newer devices as well.
Step 1
Turn off the smartphone.
Step 2
Press and hold the Power button until you see the logo on the screen, then release. Make sure that the phone is totally turned off before you start pressing the Power button.
Step 3
Quickly press the Volume Down button and hold it for few seconds until you see the message “Safe Mode: ON.”
How to Turn Off Safe Mode on Android
1. Restart
In case you don’t know, restarting your phone solves a variety of malfunctions. It’s like letting your Android device take a power nap.
Step 1
Press and hold the power button.
Step 2
From the menu presented, select Restart/Reboot. Some devices, however, only have the Power Off option.
Step 3
If your phone has the Restart option, it should power up automatically after it goes off. If you don’t, you have to press the power button again to turn the phone back on.
2. Using the Status Bar
Supposing the phone is still stuck in Safe Mode even if you’ve already performed a restart. It’s time to pay attention to the status bar that’s not there for nothing.
Step 1
Pull down the Status Bar of the smartphone.
Step 2
Tap the Safe Mode button to turn it off. However, some phones don’t have this feature on their phones.
Step 3
If you’re among the lucky ones whose phones have the Safe Mode button on the Status Bar, you should see that the device automatically restarts to get you out of it.
3. Using Power + Volume Button
Two is better than one, so if the power button can’t do it alone, why not press the volume button together with it? Here’s how it works:
Step 1
Turn off the smartphone.
Step 2
Once you’re sure it’s off, press and hold the Power button until you see the logo on the screen, then release.
Step 3
Quickly press the Volume Down button and hold it for few seconds until you see the message “Safe Mode: OFF” or something similar. Still have questions about Safe Mode on Android? I probably have an answer to it below.
What Does Safe Mode Do on Android?
Safe Mode diagnoses the problem that causes frequent device crashes and poor performance and lets you remove the culprit. It also acts as a temporary factory reset.
What Happens If I Reboot My Android Phone in Safe Mode?
Only the preloaded apps (or apps which came pre-installed when you bought the device) will be present on your phone’s screen. The third-party apps (or apps you downloaded from Google Play Store or anywhere) will not be loaded.
Does Safe Mode Delete Files on Android?
No. Unless you choose to delete the files or apps that are causing the problem and frequent crashes.
Can I Install Android Apps in Safe Mode?
No. Safe ,Mode is mainly for diagnosing issues.
What If the Above Methods Don’t Work for Me?
You’ll be forced to wipe out all your data on your smartphone by performing the dreaded factory reset. This doesn’t hurt unless you’ve forgotten to create a backup of your contacts, SMS, photos, and videos.
Bonus: How to Turn On/Off Safe Mode on Windows PC
Because you’re an avid reader of our posts, we’re giving you a treat! Supposing you are also looking for ways to turn off or boot into Safe Mode on your Windows PC in addition to your Android smartphone, here is one proven method that you can use:
Using the System Configuration Tool (msconfig.exe)
What we like best about this method is that it works in various Windows version, so whether you have a Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 personal computer, it will still be effective.
Step 1
Press CTRL + R on your computer.
Step 2
Type in msconfig in the search box that appears. Click OK.
Step 3
The System Configuration Menu will then appear on the screen. Choose the Boot tab.
Step 4
If you want to enable Safe Mode, tick the Safe Mode option. If you are in Safe Mode and wants to disable the feature, uncheck the Safe Mode box.
Step 5
Click Apply to either enable or disable Safe Mode on your Windows computer.
Step 6
A dialog box will then show up, urging you to restart your computer. We recommend restarting the PC instead of exiting without restart.
Step 7
By the time your computer boots up, you’ll either be in or out of Safe Mode, depending on your previous actions.
Wrapping Up
It’s surely hard to stay safe when browsing the virus-infested web every minute of every day. If you feel like your Android phone has issues that you have to deal with, do it immediately before it’s too late! With Safe Mode for Android readily-available, you can now easily detect the source of the problem and act accordingly without any hesitation. Just like you, I use my devices on a regular basis. Want to know how I stay safe while surfing the web? I like to use privacy browsers. While they don’t guarantee a 100% virus-free browsing experience, at the very least, they help me stay on the safe side. Are we able to address your questions about Safe Mode for Android? We’ll be glad to hear from you. Please leave your comments and share your experiences in the comment section. Still stuck on Safe Mode? Comment below with your specific problem and we’ll help you reach a solution.
