Safe Mode – What It Is and How to Use It
Safe mode can be a useful, but equally annoying, feature which your device might decide to do with or without your permission. If you’re not sure what safe mode is, then put simply, it’s a state similar to that on Windows when you boot up in “safe mode”.
It will strip down your device back to the core components and apps that were installed on it when you first booted it up, and it won’t let you do anything else. Usually the cause of this is if you’ve been attacked by some sort of bad malware or virus and in an attempt to protect you, your device has shut itself in this safe mode.
Another reason could be an internal fault or you could have accidentally put it into safe mode by your own accord. Either way, let’s see how to remove safe mode from your Android.
Turn Off Your Device
This might seem like an obvious fix, but safe mode isn’t designed to stick around and linger on your device over different sessions. So if you’re finding yourself stuck in it, consider powering off your device and leaving it off for a minute. Then you can just power it back up and it should return back to it’s glorious state that you love.
Power & Volume
This may or may not work for you, as the results are a mixed bag depending on the device, however it’s very simple to do. First of all you’ll want to turn off your Android and then when you power it back up, hold down both the power button and the volume down button.
Remove the Battery
This method only works if your device has a removable battery. All you need to do is turn off your device, remove the battery and leave it a few minutes. Then re-insert the battery and away you go, you should have a fully functioning Android again.
Factory Reset
Okay, so now things are getting drastic. If you’ve tried all of the above and your device still isn’t working outside of safe mode, then there is only one thing left to do – Factory Reset! Before you do this, make sure that there are absolutely no other alternatives you could consider as this will erase everything and restore your device to how it was on day one.
Everything on your device will be gone, and if you haven’t got photos or videos backed up, then these will never be retrievable again. Take a long, hard think about how much you really need to reset your Android and if this is the only way to remove safe mode.
Okay, now go to “Settings” –> “Backup & Reset” –> “Factory Data Reset”. You’ll be notified that your actions will destroy all of your precious apps, memories, photos, media and so on, and if you’re happy to continue then tap “Reset Device” (or whatever similar message appears). Now you just have to sit back and watch as your device has a nice sleep and slowly becomes a brand new phone with no mind or memory of its past life.
