You can get out of Safe Mode on Android by restarting the target device or troubleshooting and uninstalling disturbing third-party apps. You can also get out of Safe Mode on an Android device by going through the notification panel or doing a factory reset on the target device.
Did your child mistakenly install an app that forced their device into Safe Mode? Or are you finding it difficult to get out of Safe Mode after using it to troubleshoot or recover mobile data on their phone? Sometimes a phone goes into Safe Mode accidentally if a button is sticky. I get it.
My friend once asked me to help turn off Safe Mode on his son’s device. Of course, I did, and I’ll walk you through the ways I learned to turn off Safe Mode on Android phones. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to do the same on your child’s device.
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Things To Do Before You Turn Off Safe Mode On An Android Phone Or Tablet
I had to ensure specific things were in place before getting my friend’s son’s device out of Safe Mode. So, before leaving Safe Mode on your child’s phone, here are a few things to do:
- Ensure the phone is sufficiently charged.
- Make sure no buttons are stuck or faulty.
- Back up the phone’s data in case you need a factory reset or learn how to do Android data recovery after a factory reset.
- Test essential functions like calling and texting to ensure they’re working as expected.
4 Ways To Disable Safe Mode On An Android Device
Using my Google Pixel 6 running Android 13, I discovered four ways to disable Safe Mode on Android devices. It is important to note that some of the methods may not work on your device due to differences in type or model.
Google, a multinational tech company and the owner of the Android operating system, also posits that the method for turning off or exiting Safe Mode varies by phone model. But, read on and try each method listed here. I am optimistic you’ll get the desired results for your specific device. So, here goes:
Restart Or Reboot Your Phone
This method is usually my go-to option whenever I have to fix issues like lagging, network connection, etc., on an Android device because it is seamless and actually works. Likewise, it was my first resort when I helped my friend exit Safe Mode on his child’s device.
MakeUseOf, a renowned tech platform, also cites that restarting your smartphone fixes many issues, such as reconnecting your network and unburdening the RAM. On that note, follow the steps below to restart your phone:
It will take you about 3 minutes
- Look at the sides of the device (left and right) and locate the power button and volume-down button.
- Press and hold the power button and volume down button simultaneously for at least five seconds.
- From the pop-up menu, tap Restart or Reboot.
- The device will automatically restart.
However, if your child’s phone has only the “Power Off” option, click on it and let the device shut down.
- Afterward, hold the power button again for at least five seconds to turn the phone back on.
- When the phone reboots, look at the bottom left corner of the device to see if “Safe Mode” is still showing.
If it’s not, then you’re now in Normal Mode. - But if it’s still there, it may be because you didn’t follow these instructions properly or this method did not work for your device.
If the former is the case, consider redoing it more carefully. Otherwise, check out the next option.
You can also watch this YouTube video by Insider Tech on how to restart your phone to exit safe Mode:
Clear Cache Of FaultyThird-Party Apps Or Uninstall & Delete Them
Your child may have downloaded a malicious app, forcing their device to enter Safe Mode to protect its internal data from potential harm. In this case, I suggest you deal with the app itself, as this will prevent it from updating automatically.
To do this, you need to clear the app’s cache and storage or uninstall it. I recommend this method because besides using it to disable Safe Mode, clearing app cache and data is one of the ways to free up space on Android phones.
You may be wondering how to clear the cache or data of a specific third-party app since they are grayed out and therefore inaccessible. But in Safe Mode, third-party app caches are not completely inaccessible from the device’s settings. Here is how to clear the cache and data of offending apps while in Safe Mode:
- Open Settings.
- Tap “Apps.”
On some Android devices, you will tap “Apps Management” instead.
Then the “Apps List” will open
- Select the faulty third-party app.
The faulty third-party app is likely new, so search for the most recent downloads first.
- When it opens, tap Storage & Cache.
- Then click “Clear Cache.”
Additionally, you can uninstall the app and remove it from the device completely. To do that:
- Select the specific app from the Apps drawer to see app info.
- Tap “Uninstall” to remove the app.
- Then restart the device (check the method above to see how to restart your phone) into normal Mode.
That’s it.
This YouTube video by Lofi Alpaca will help you get through this method:
Go Through The Notification Panel
Although checking the notification panel didn’t work for me because I used a Google Pixel 6 to prepare this guide and this is not an available option on this device, it might work on your child’s device. From my research, I discovered that most Android mobile phones let users turn off Safe Mode from the notification panel.
For example, Samsung, a leading mobile phone manufacturer, lets users turn off Safe Mode from their notification panel. So, if your child’s device is a Samsung phone or tablet, you can use this option. Even if it’s not, I advise you to still try this method. Check out the steps below to get it done:
- Swipe down on the home screen.
- Tap on the notification that says “Safe Mode Is On.”
- Then click “Turn off” to get your child’s Android device out of safe Mode.
Afterward, the phone will automatically restart into normal Mode.
Here’s a YouTube video by Techno Window showing how to turn off Safe Mode via the notification panel:
Perform A Factory Data Reset
Performing a factory reset is usually the last resort when other options don’t work. The downside is that virtually every piece of data: images, videos, third-party apps, music, etc., on your child’s device, will be erased after the process.
The last time I did a factory reset on my niece’s Android phone because it was lagging and occasionally going blank, she didn’t take it lightly, as she lost some of her mobile phone data. But she had no choice but to go for this option and it was a necessary evil to get her device functioning properly again.
Likewise, at this juncture, giving your child’s device a fresh start is necessary if other options do not work. I’d advise you to back up the phone’s data first on any cloud storage – Google Cloud Storage will work since it’s an Android phone. Alternatively, you can copy important files onto a physical memory card.
I also suggest you talk to your child before proceeding with this method so they don’t get agitated when you return an almost empty device to them. Once you have done that, let’s get on with the steps to perform a factory reset on your child’s phone while in Safe Mode:
- Open Settings.
- Locate “System” and tap on it.
- Select “Reset Options.”
Can’t find the “System” and “Reset Options” tags on your child’s phone because it is not a Google Pixel like mine? Scroll down the “Settings” dashboard and click “Additional settings.”
Then, scroll to “Back up and reset” and tap it.
- Click “Erase all data (factory reset).”
If your child’s Android phone uses a password or PIN, you may need to input it to begin factory reset.
- Wait till the reset is complete and allow the phone to reboot.
Watch this YouTube video by HardReset.Info to see how to perform a factory reset on Android phones:
FAQs
Why is my phone stuck in safe Mode?
Your phone is stuck in safe Mode because you downloaded a corrupt third-party app or it has faulty buttons. If your phone has a broken volume/power button and you try to boot it up while holding one of these buttons down, it may force the device into Safe Mode.
Why can't I turn off safe Mode?
You can’t turn off safe Mode because you haven’t fixed the faulty third-party apps or your hardware buttons are broken, making it difficult to exit Safe Mode by restarting your phone. Try removing your phone case to check the hardware buttons or uninstall the corrupt app.
Where is Safe Mode in settings?
Safe Mode is not in settings but is usually accessed during the device’s boot-up process using specific buttons or performing certain actions. However, I recommend checking your device’s official documentation or support resources for more information about where to find Safe Mode in settings.
Safe Mode Is Not Harmful
After thorough research and experience handling Android devices, I discovered that Safe Mode is the same as Android Recovery Mode. So, it is not harmful to your child or their Android phone. It only helps you recover mobile data and discover issues that are affecting their device when in Normal Mode.
When in Safe Mode, all third-party apps on their phone’s home screen may be grayed out (looking disabled) and the app drawer may be empty, leaving only factory-installed apps and services. This helps you identify any disturbing app they must have downloaded.
Discovering these methods was important to me as I wanted to save my friend from struggling with his son’s device and, by extension, assist anyone who may experience this issue in the future. I hope you enjoyed reading this guide and will try each method to enable your child to enjoy maximum functionality while using their device.
Also, do share your thoughts and questions about the article in the comment section. I’d be glad to offer more clarity. Before you exit this page, share across different platforms so others can read and learn.
