How To Open Apps In Safe Mode Android

Safe Mode almost enabled on Google Pixel 3 XL

App crashes happen, and they're usually not a big deal. However, if you have them happening more than most people, it may be a sign of a more significant problem. If you're trying to share critical documents with your team or process a vital payment, the last thing you want is a crash. Here's how to enter safe mode on an Android device and hopefully find the source of your issue.

See also:Android OS problems and how to fix them

We'll take you through what safe mode is as well as how to activate it. We have a separate page on how to turn safe mode off again, but we have a quick method tucked away here at the end. Let's get to it.

What is safe mode for Android?

Safe mode is the easiest way to diagnose trouble on your Android phone or tablet because it halts third-party apps. If you boot in safe mode and you notice a significant jump in performance, there's a good chance that one of your third-party apps is to blame.

Before you jump in and reboot to safe mode, you may want to do some research and find out if other users have the same issue. Your research can potentially save you some time and a headache, as you can delete the offending app without testing each app one by one. Of course, once you reboot out of safe mode, you may have to test each of your third-party apps individually to find the culprit.

android 12 beta 1 hands on quick settings one swipe down notification panel dark theme 1

Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

If you've decided that it's time to try safe mode, you might be worried that it's a complicated process. The truth is, it couldn't be easier if we tried. As long as your Android device is running on version 6.0 or newer, you have to follow these steps:

Press and hold the power button until power options appear.
Tap and hold Power Off.
Hold until you see Reboot to safe mode and then tap on the prompt.

The exact wording of the prompt may vary by manufacturer, but the process should be the same. Once you confirm to reboot in safe mode, wait until your phone restarts. You should now see apps and widgets grayed out, and you will only have access to the first-party features.

See also:Android 12 beta hands-on: The most personal Android version yet!

Enter safe mode with device buttons

If you're having issues with a laggy screen, you can also reboot in safe mode using the hard buttons on your phone. It's just as easy to do, and you'll have to follow these steps:

Press and hold the power button, then choose Power Off.
Turn your phone back on with the power button, and hold the power button until you see an animated logo appear.
Hold the Volume Down button once you see the animated logo appear.
Continue holding Volume Down until your device boots.

How can you exit safe mode?

Once you wrap up your safe mode adventure, it's time to fix your phone. The first thing you'll want to do is reboot out of safe mode. We've linked our guide above, but the easiest way to escape safe mode is to restart your phone. It should reboot as usual, so you can feel free to use your favorite restart method.

Some Android skins also pack an even faster way to get out of safe mode. You may find a notification in the top menu along the lines of "Safe mode is on — Tap here to turn safe mode off." Tap that notification, and your phone will restart out of safe mode.

There you go, a quick primer on how to enter safe mode on an Android phone or tablet. Hopefully, it's fixed your issues, or it may be time to reach out to a professional.