Boot Your Android Cell Phone Into Safe Mode
Android is one of the most stable operating systems, but it is also prone to performance issues, and these issues can occur every now and then. As you use your Android device, you’ll be able to determine whether its performance is still going well or if it’s failing. If you sense that something is wrong, especially if you’ve installed a new app or received a new update, it’s best to check the performance again without the new app or update by going into Safe Mode. Safe Mode allows you to start your phone with only the essential services and apps. Booting into Safe Mode will confirm if these performance issues are due to any preloaded system application or due to any newly installed third-party applications or updates.
Steps
Using the Volume Button
- Check your device performance. As you use your Android device, you’ll be able to determine whether its performance is still going well or if it’s failing. If you sense that something is wrong, especially if you’ve installed a new app or received a new update, it’s best to check the performance again without the new app or update by going into Safe mode.
- Booting into Safe mode will confirm if these performance issues are due to any preloaded system application or due to any newly installed third-party applications or updates.
- Hold the Power button of your device. This will load the power options menu.
- Choose “Power off” from the options. Let your phone turn off completely.
- Turn on your phone. Press and hold the Power button again to turn on your cell phone.
- Immediately press and hold both the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons on your device. Keep holding while the device boots. Once your Android device has booted, you will see the words “Safe mode” displayed at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Check your device performance again. Use the device as you normally would, checking if there is any improvement in the performance. If so, the cause for performance issues in Normal mode could be because of a newly installed app or update, not because of the Android system itself.
- If you notice your device running properly in Safe mode, you should go ahead and disable/uninstall any newly installed applications or updates. Go to Settings >> Applications and search for the apps or updates that you believe is causing the performance issues and remove them.
Using the Power Menu
- Note that Some older devices and a select few newer ones cannot access Safe Mode this way.
- Check your device performance.
- Hold the Power button of your Android phone for 2 seconds. This will load the power menu.
- Press and hold “Power off.” A pop-up window will appear asking if you are willing to boot into Safe Mode.
- Press “OK.” When your Android device reboots, you will see the words “Safe mode” displayed at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Check your device performance again. Use the device as you normally would, checking if there is any improvement in the performance. If so, the cause for performance issues in Normal mode could be because of a newly installed app or update, not because of the Android system itself.
- If you notice your device running properly in Safe Mode, you should go ahead and disable/uninstall any newly installed applications or updates. Go to Settings >> Applications and search for the apps or updates that you believe is causing the performance issues and remove them.
Video
Template:Video:Boot Your Android Cell Phone Into Safe Mode
Tips
- Third-party applications will not be loaded in Safe Mode though they can be accessed if you created a shortcut on the home screen. If you do not have a shortcut, you will not be able to use them.
- You can restart your Android phone to get out of Safe Mode and reboot into Normal Mode. Long press the Power button until the Power menu comes out, and select “Restart” from the options.
