Why Is My Phone Stuck in Safe Mode?

When your Android is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps on your phone get disabled. Safe mode is primarily used as a diagnostic tool. When this mode is enabled, you will have access to only core or default apps on your phone; all other features will be disabled. But your phone can also get stuck in Safe Mode unintentionally.

Why is my Android Phone in Safe mode?

  • Sometimes, your phone might go into safe mode because of malware or a bug that has affected your phone software.
  • Your phone might also enter Safe Mode because you pocket-dialed someone by mistake.
  • It can also happen if a few wrong keys get pressed unintentionally.

Nevertheless, you might find yourself feeling frustrated being unable to exit safe mode on your phone. Don’t worry. Through this guide, we will explore five methods that you can use to exit safe mode on your Android phone.

How to Fix Phone Stuck in Safe Mode

How to Fix Phone Stuck in Safe Mode

Method 1: Restart your device

Restarting your device can fix many minor issues on your Android phone. It can also exit Safe Mode so that you can go back to its normal functioning. Follow these simple steps to restart your device and exit safe mode on your Android phone:

1. Press and hold the power button. You will find it either on the left side or the right side of your phone.

2. Once you press and hold the button, several options will pop up.

3. Choose Restart.

Choose Restart

If you do not see the Restart option, continue holding the power button for 30 seconds. Your phone will turn off and switch on by itself.

Once the restart process is complete, the phone will no longer be in Safe Mode.

Method 2: Disable Safe mode from the notification panel

If you own a phone that has the Safe Mode option in the notifications panel, then you can use it to turn off safe mode.

Note: This method can be used to turn Samsung safe mode off since this feature is available on almost all Samsung devices.

1. Pull down the Notifications Panel by swiping down from the top edge of your phone screen.

2. Tap the Safe Mode Enabled notification.

When you do this, your phone will restart, and your phone will no longer be stuck in Safe Mode.

Also Read: How to Turn Off Safe Mode on Android

Method 3: Check for stuck buttons

It might be the case that some of your phone buttons are stuck. If your phone has a protective case, check if it is obstructing any of the buttons. The buttons that you can check are the Menu button, and the Volume Up or Volume Down button.

Try to press and see if any of the buttons are pressed down. If they are not getting unstuck due to some physical damage, you might need to visit a service centre.

Method 4: Use Hardware buttons

If the above three methods did not work for you, another option will help you exit Safe Mode. Just follow these simple steps.

1. Turn off your device. Press and hold your Android phone’s power button until you see several options show on your screen. Press Power Off.

Choose Power Off to turn off your phone | Fix Phone stuck in Safe mode

2. Once your device is switched off, press and hold the power button till you see a logo on your screen.

3. As soon as the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press and hold the Volume down button.

This method might work for some users. If it did, you will see a message that says Safe Mode has turned off. If this method to exit safe mode on your Android phone did not work for you, you can check out the other methods.

Method 5: Clear malfunctioning apps – Clear Cache, Clear Data, or Uninstall

There might be a chance that one of the apps you’ve downloaded is forcing your phone to get stuck in Safe Mode. To check which app might be the problem, check your most recent downloads before your phone went into Safe Mode.

Once you figure out the malfunctioning app, you have three options: clear app cache, clear app storage, or uninstall the app. Even though you will not be able to use third-party apps while in Safe Mode, you will access the app settings.

Option 1: Clear App Cache

1. Go to Settings either from the App Menu or Notifications Panel.

2. In the settings menu, search for Apps and Notifications and tap on it. You could alternatively just search for the name of the app in the search bar.

Note: In some mobile phones, Apps and Notifications may be named App Management. Similarly, See All Apps may be named as App List. It varies slightly for different devices. 

3. Tap on the name of the problematic app.

4. Click on Storage. Now, press Clear cache.

Click on Storage. Now, press Clear cache | Fix Phone stuck in Safe mode

Check if your phone has exited Safe Mode. You would also want to try restarting your phone again. Is your phone out of safe mode? If not, then you can try clearing the app storage.

Option 2: Clear app storage

1. Go to Settings.

2. Tap on Apps and Notifications and then tap See All Apps.

Note: In some mobile phones, Apps and Notifications may be named App Management. Similarly, See All Apps may be named as App List. It varies slightly for different devices. 

3. Tap on the name of the troublesome app.

4. Tap Storage, then press Clear storage/data.

Click Storage, then press Clear storage/data | Fix Phone stuck in Safe mode

If the phone is still stuck in safe mode, you have to uninstall the offending app.

Option 3: Uninstall the app

1. Go to Settings.

2. Navigate to Apps and Notifications > See All Apps.

3. Tap on the name of the offending app.

4. Tap Uninstall and then press OK to confirm.

Tap Uninstall. Press OK to confirm | Phone stuck in Safe mode

Method 6: Factory Reset your device

This method should only be used if you have tried everything else and it hasn’t solved your issue. Doing a factory reset will erase all the data on your phone. Make sure you back up all your data before following these steps!

Note: Make sure to back up all your data before resetting your phone.

1. Go to Settings application.

2. Scroll down the menu, tap System, and then tap Advanced.

If there is no option named System, search under Additional Settings > Back up and Reset.

3. Go to Reset options and then choose to Erase all data (Factory Reset).

Go to Reset options and then, choose Erase all data (Factory Reset)

4. Your phone will prompt you for your PIN, password, or pattern. Please enter it.

5. Tap on Erase everything to Factory Reset your phone.

If all the methods listed in this guide fail to resolve this issue, then it needs to be addressed by a professional. Visit your nearest Android service center, and they will help you out.

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We hope that this guide was helpful and you were able to fix phone stuck in Safe mode issue. Let us know which method worked for you best. If you have any queries/comments regarding this guide then feel free to drop them in the comments section.

1 thought on “Why Is My Phone Stuck in Safe Mode?”

  1. Avatar photo
    Sylvia Struthers

    Thanks a million :D. It worked like magic. An Amber Alert put my cell phone into safe mode and I did not know what to do. I was afraid to try anything for fear it would make it worse. It also at the same time deactivated several of my apps. The app was still in place but faded out and not possible to activate. I was so afraid it would stay that way. Again, Thank you soooo much. My email address is sylstrut1@aol.com

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