Technipages

Tutorials and fixes for smartphone, gadget, and computer problems

Help! My Android is Stuck in Safe Mode

Help! My Android is Stuck in Safe Mode

By Mitch Bartlett 139 Comments

It seems a common problem for Android users is that it might get stuck in Safe Mode. While in Safe Mode, you might not be able to do much on the device since much of the software required for normal functionality isn’t loaded. Your device might say “No Service” or have problems running apps. App icons may also appear grayed out.

Don’t worry though. We’ve got some things you can try to get your Android out of Safe Mode. The methods to get out of Safe Mode can vary on each device. Here are some ways that generally work with most devices.

1. Power Completely Off

Power completely down by pressing and holding the “Power” button, then select “Power off“. Do NOT select “Restart” or “Reboot”. Many Android devices will stay in Safe Mode if you select “Restart” or “Reboot”.

Once the device is powered off, wait about 2 minutes, then turn the device back on.

2. Check For Stuck Buttons

This is the most common cause for being stuck in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is usually enabled by pressing and holding a button while the device is starting. Common buttons you would hold are the volume up, volume down, or menu buttons. If one of these buttons are stuck or the device is defective and registers a button is being pressed, it will continue to start in Safe Mode.

Ensure none of the buttons are held down by a foreign object or an accessory. Remove the device out of its case to be sure that’s not the cause. Give each button on the device a push to test out if they stick in any way. You may need to clean the buttons with a damp cloth in some cases.

3. Battery Pull (If Possible)

If a simple power down doesn’t do the trick, pull the battery if you own an Android device with a removable battery. Wait about a minute or two before inserting the battery back into the compartment and powering the device back on.

4. Uninstall Recently Installed Apps

If the above options didn’t work, a recently installed app may be causing the device to start in Safe Mode. Open “Settings” > “Apps” and uninstall any recently updated or installed apps, then power the device off and restart.

5. Wipe Cache Partition (Dalvik Cache)

The Android OS stores data in a cache partition. That data can sometimes cause your Android to endlessly be in Safe Mode. Steps for clearing the cache partition can vary with each device. Consult the documentation provided with your device about how to enter Recovery Mode.

6. Factory Reset

If you have tried and tried again to get your phone out of Safe Mode using the steps above, you may want to factory reset your Android. This can be done by going to “Settings” > “Backup & reset”. This will clear all data off of the device and set it back to its factory default state. This is an unfortunate last resort if your problem cannot be solved otherwise.

7. Hardware Issue

If you have tried all of the above attempts to fix your Android, you are most likely looking at a hardware issue with your device. It’s possible the mechanism that controls one of the buttons is broken. It could also be some other internal hardware issue. At this point, your best bet is to contact your carrier or the device manufacturer for a replacement.

Did this post help you get your Android out of Safe Mode? Let us know what worked for you in the Comments section below.

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Comments

  1. Jacqui says

    Thank you so much!!! Used a wet wipe to wipe volume button…switched on and Boom!! No more Safe mode!!! Really works!!!

  3. John says

    Stuck button that was it. Thanks so much saved me hours from watching 12 minutes youtube videos on how to start up in safe mode….aye aye.

  4. Miriam says

    Does not answer my question. When I go to power the phone off, instead it says to restart in safe mode. The power button is white instead of red. I can force the phone to turn off, and I can get out of safe mode. The problem is that I can no longer power the phone off in the usual way.

  9. Agnes Ruko says

    I thought I would not get back my WhatsApp but when I tried out what I was told to do, it really helped me. Thank you so much for your help.

  10. Domenic Angco says

    I saw a video on facebook how to hard reset the samsung s9 s9+. That was the only thing that worked for me.

  11. Paul says

    Really helpful advice, i thought i may have to buy a new phone. The volume button was stuck causing the safe mode to continue to be enabled on my aging J5 phone. Now fixed. Thanks ever so much.

  15. Nikki says

    I’ve managed to fix my mums. Made my way to settings, apps and notifications. See all apps. Then the first one to show up was accessibility and I clicked disable. It fixed it, you can enable accessibility again after that if you use it.

  16. Petergay thomas says

    My phone battery died 4 days ago and went into safe mode after still in safe mode actually. I bring to few phone repair shop and nobody can fix it…what can I do? It’s a A20s

  17. Ember says

    I tried all these and it’s still not working. I have an A71 phone. Is there any way to get rid of it permanently? How can I fix it?

  18. Angela says

    My phone has stuck in safe mode and it can’t turn of I’ve tried all these ways but I can’t turn off safe mode I’ve tried so many times these ways but still nothing (I have Samsung Galaxy A 21s )

  19. Mark says

    Hi, im stuck in this safe mode for 3 days now and my volume down is not functioning, i did everything just to get out of this and make my phone back to normal. It did says that restart will do but i did it many times, it started when i restart it like a normal phone, but when the screen starts to light again i get confused why I’m already in safe mode. Please help.

  20. Timileyin olalekan says

    My name is timileyin olalekan I have issue with my Samsung galaxy A6 but my phone is in safe mode and i try all my best to off it and i don’t know how to off it please I need your help sir

  21. Veronica Rose says

    Thanks so much. I had to uninstall an app like suggested. Restarted phone and voila!

  22. Celia says

    My power button doesn’t work at all m still stuck on safe mode plz can you assist me with other methods coz I’ve tried methods u gave I need something that doesn’t need power button or any buttons coz mine are stuck

  24. Steve schultz says

    Yep 1st time stuck in safe mode , thought i was gona look for a pond a skip the ol phone across it but off&on worked, ty ,,, saved my arm on that one lol

  25. Adi Ateca Botitu says

    I tried all the technics to turn safe mode off..but still stuck in the safe mode. Is there any way to remove it permanently.

  26. Mike Stanyon says

    Same problem.
    Switched off.
    Wied on/off and volume buttons with a Baby wipe.
    Switched backon.
    Eureka !
    No more safe mode.
    Thanks.
    MikeS

  27. Heidi Roberts says

    THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

    Power Off. Investigation? Volume down button was stuck on one end. I used a pointy Q-tip (they make them especially to clean up nail polish “oopsies”) to clean the area with alcohol. I was then able to use a very small pointy comedone popper to lever the stuck end back up. Once it was popped up, I used a clean Q-tip to gently cleanse the previously stuck end – had some kind of sticky gunk on it, but it came right off. I powered my phone back up and, Ta-da! No more Safe Mode and everything was restored.

    A million thanks! You were the only site that suggested this.

  28. Wendy Tilley says

    U R FKN AMAZIN I THOUGHT I HAD TRIED EVERYTHING SPENT HRS TRYING 2 GET SAFE MODE OFF THEN I READ UR TIPS & MY VOLUME BUTTON WAS N FACT STUCK SO I GRABBED A DAMP CLOTH & GOOD AS NEW!!!! FKN AWESOME

  30. Candy says

    Thank you! You’re suggestion about checking for stuck buttons solved the problem. No other site gave that recommendation. Wonderful, thanks again

  31. Random Guy xD says

    It’s happening for the first time on my side… Just waiting to see if it works… Fingers crossed…

  32. Suzanne says

    I was about to THROW my new phone across the room when I could NOT get it off Safe Mode. I turned it off and waited a few moments as you suggested, and WA LA – no longer in Safe Mode. Thank you SO much as I would NOT have wanted to explain my rage to the people at the phone store… Your help is MOST appreciated!

  33. Victor Etaduovie says

    Wow wow!

    All Glory be to GOD!

    I’m grateful to you for this.
    This safe mode appeared on my phone which I need most, this period of my exams at school here. So, I couldn’t access my school group chat to get information about my exams, I couldn’t even read my softcopy materials or access any PDF file.
    I restarted the phone, I switched the phone off and on again, I factory reset the phone, and I also did hand flash by pressing the power button and down volume button, but all to no avail.

    I just sat down in Church rehearsals thinking of how I will throw this phone in a river if I come across any, until I just decided to make the last search on the internet about anything I can do to solve this problem; and finally, I came across this your blog, and woooooow! You just gave me the solution.

    Now knowing that it’s because a button is stuck to the motherboard, I decided to clean the metal pog of the button and the keyboard membrane. After cleaning them, I power off and on the phone, and my phone became totally norma and worked fine…..
    Thanks a lot sir.
    I’m very grateful…..

  34. Donald Beethe says

    Many thanks for the article. Was afraid I’d have to factory reset but seems the volume button was stuck. Once I cleared that, the tablet started again. All this happened after the system update on a SM-T510 today

  35. matt says

    Thank you am a bit of a Luddite when it comes to phones so tried 1) and it worked perfectly. Phew and thanks

  38. Jimbo says

    What caused it on my phone seems to be that I was holding down the volume button in a vain attempt to avoid making any noise, while I turned on the phone in a quiet office. I was trying to null the “ringtone” jingle that the phone makes when it is turned on and announces it is ready

  39. Name says

    Hi,
    My phone dived in sink. After I have get it dried, have been stuck on ‘safe mode’.
    I tried all tips without any success, but…. one of advises was to knock on the edge of the table with the phone volume down button -: D funny thing, but that’s what i did – gently squeezed and twisted the phone what helped !!!. So fortunately it was ( in my case ) the mechanical problem after drying.
    good luck.

  40. Alex says

    I tried your first solution and boom it worked
    Thank you for your advice and keep up the good work 👍

  41. Isabel says

    I turned it off for two minutes and it worked!!!!! I was so frustrated and this advice was really helpful n.n thank u so much!!!!

  42. Thabang says

    I’ve tried all this suggestions and still it is still in safe mode I’m using a 2016 samsung j5

  43. Mr. Claude says

    Before you try this process make sure you’ve tried every other thing written in this blog and you are sure none of it worked for you,the only thing you need to do now is HOLD DOWN THE POWER AND AND THE VOLUME DOWN BUTTON EVEN IF IT TAKES A SCREENSHOT KEEP HOLDING..THEN RELEASE ONCE IT RESTARTS…this should work .

  44. John Mulcahy says

    Turning off the phone for at least 2 minutes and then restarting worked. Many thanks for the article.

  46. christian says

    To anyone having the problems with the samsung A series, what you can try is to power on the phone and hold the volume up button down, you will reach a screen that looks a bit weird but dont be afraid, simply navigate using the volume buttons and select reboot device using the power button, that worked for me since, nothing else worked but that, i even factory data reset my phone.

  47. sylvester says

    Thank you very much. The first method worked with my samsung galaxy s6 edge. i wouldn’t have wasted my time watching unnecessary videos on youtube if i knew earlier

  48. Naledi Maswanganyi says

    My hisense U962 has been stuck on safe mode for over a day and it left me really frustrated as i kept using some tips i got online to exit it but non works…then i visited this site and turns out all i needed to do is use the hardware buttons which were never mentioned in the other sites🙄…now my phone is back and so am I thanks to this site

  49. Payton says

    These steps also did not remove my phone out of Safe Mode. Sounds like a factory setting glitch. Smh, new phone here I come.

  51. Jacquie Delaney says

    I have tried all options to stop my A71 from opening in safe mode. None of the side buttons are struck. I’ve have this phone for 3 weeks. Can you please assist.

  52. Enoch Tibu-Asimah says

    Am really frustrated..I forgot my new password and decided to do a factory reset. But ended up in safemode to do a backup .now I cant get out of safemode becos it still requires I enter the password ..pls assist

  53. Lauren Fletcher says

    I really need help!! I can press my volume down button but it’s not doing anything on the phone, cant turn down volume, screenshot etc but it’s not stuck or anything just my phone wont respond to it. Now my phone is stuck in safe mode which I dont even know how and I cant disable it I’ve tried everything I could find someone please help

  54. Jyoti says

    My volume down key has some issue.. the technician took it out. Still safe mode is there.
    Its stuck badly

    It will work if i factory reset it?
    Please advise

  55. UJJAL BISWAS says

    OK! So, I was stuck in recovery mode and can only boot to safe mode for 3 hours, stupid me thought there might be some issue with the software, I tried installing system updates, did factory reset several times and then found this post. And yes! the volume down key is somehow kept pressed so it only booting up in safe mode.
    Thank you very very much! I can’t tell how much it helped me..

  56. Devin says

    None of these methods have worked for me atall. Stuck in safe mode restarts on it’s own. It’s a A50 and I was told I need to start it in recovery mode. But idk how…..? Can u help

  57. Babar khan says

    My phone galaxy A6 has been stuck on safe mode i tried everything but nothing is working i did the restart, uninstall apps, clearing photos and videos , volume buttons everything please help me with it…

  58. Rinky says

    Hey Thanks a Ton Mitch !!!!!
    VOLUME DOWN BUTTON WAS STUCK,yout blig helped resolve the problem .Big thank you….

  59. Emma Peoples says

    Unfortunately none of these helped my phone. I don’t know why. I’ve done a factory reset, turned it off. No buttons are stuck. No matter what I do. When I power it back on. It turns on with safe mode and airplane mode on. Pain in the butt. Just got this phone.

  61. Andrew says

    Simulated battery pull/soft reset worked for me. Hold power and volume down for about 10 seconds. It may take a screen shot, just keep holding. Release buttons when the phone begins to reboot.

  62. Cassi says

    I tried all the above and nothing worked.

    Afterwards I decided to leave the phone powered off all night. In the morning I removed sim & sd card, and blew compressed air into all the ports and over the buttons before turning it back on. It worked! Just wanted to share in case this might help someone else who tried all of the above with no luck.

  65. Momoh Michael says

    My android phone has been on safe mode ever since and volume key is hot stucked

  66. Ny says

    Thanks a lot!!! I uninstalled my my most recently installed app and the safe mode went away FINALLYYY!!!

  67. Aiman fatma says

    My Samsung A20s automatically went in safe mode .i tried many times Samsung Galaxy features to disable safe mode. But again again showing safe mode on.please solve the problem

  68. Kusum says

    Hi team
    My samsung phone put into the water bucket . I pull it back immediately . When i switch on the phone, it on with safe mode. I tried everything available on internet, but nothing is workable to get my phone into normal mode.
    Please suggest

  69. Larry Mwambazi says

    Thanks a lot. My phone went to safe mode last evening and i tried to everything including factory resent and nothing worked. Until i saw your advise, then i realised the lower volume button was stuck and not working hence sending phone into safe mode.

  71. Jessica says

    Thank you so much, been working on this problem for hours. I ended up he volume down key was stuck. i used a straight pin to get it unstuck. I appreciate your post.

  72. Dan says

    This happened to my sons phone, the issue was due to a cheap case ordered online which kept the lower volume key continually pressed down.

    Followed the steps on technipages and quickly diagnosed the fault, thankyou for the advice.

  74. Tyesha Hale says

    Samsung Galaxy J7 stuck in safe mode. We have tried everything even factory resetting it and nothing is working. Need help on how to fix it. Buttons aren’t stuck either.

  75. Aisha says

    My phone doesn’t get out of safe mode, i’ve tried every single method and still in safe mode, my volume up and down keys are stuck i’ve cleaned them but they aren’t still working suggest me something.

  81. Bradley A Wilson says

    tried factory rest , button not stuck, tried all the other methods but cant remove battery still in safe mode cant use whatsapp big problem

  82. Glenn says

    Countless restarts and the phone was always in Safe mode.

    After reading the article, I removed the phone from it’s case, turned it off, restarted it, and it was not in Safe Mode.

    I turned it off, Put it back in the case, restarted it, and it was again in Safe mode

    Remove the case, restarted and no Safe Mode.

    I believe the case is holding down one of the buttons but I can’t tell which one. So I’ll be careful to take it out of the case when I restart the phone

    It seems to be OK when I put it back in the case when it is not in Safe Mode.

    Thanks for the information posted here!

  83. Amoah says

    It worked perfectly for my wife’s J4 core. I’m surprised because it’s been more than two months of worry. We switched it off completely for about 6 minutes removed it from the cover and made sure nothing was disturbing the volume and on and off buttons. Yes we did it at the same time. In fact we’re more than happy. Thank you very much indeed

  85. Hassan Fayyaz says

    I have tried everything I even did a factory data reset and when it turned back one it was still in safe mode so now what

  86. Nella says

    Hey thank you for the great advice.
    However my volume down button is not functioning and my phone is now stuck in safe mode
    Please kindly help me

  87. Bel Stephens says

    This helped perfectly. The case I purchased was the wrong one for my tab so it pressing the down volume button. I didn’t realize it until I read your article.

  88. Rachael Monks says

    I dropped my phone on the volume button which is bent out of shape and stuck in. (One plus five)
    Going to try a razor blade down the side of it to unstick it as it keeps rebooting in safe mode because of that I think.
    Fingers crossed

  90. Noor Baig says

    My down volume button is stuck. Its not working i tried all tricks now what to do….
    Plzzzz help me

  92. Jim Holsinger says

    I did what you asked and Yeah ! It worked. I completely powered down my Android and waited about three minutes and when I powered it back on the Safe Mode went away and I got my phone back. Thanks so much for the help.

  93. Agnes says

    I have tried everything by am still stack on safe mode I even lost everything on my phone and my volume button is stucked don’t know what to do please help

  94. Mesfin says

    Hi
    My phone is stuck on said “Safe mode”
    I’ve tried everything: Restart, Power Off, Check Buttons (all are in working condition), Uninstall Apps. I skipped 5 and 6
    I didn’t do 5 because I was confused and I didn’t do 6 because I was too scared to lose all of my photos and app. Please help!!!

  98. Shania Faye Mendoza says

    I already tried this methods but still my chronos ace stuck in safe mode? help me please. ASAP?

  100. DaisyPatch says

    Jim nailed it!! He said “press power button till three icon come up. power, ,restart and emergence…… hit restart button twice” Mine only had 2 choices – power off and restart, so feeling silly I hit restart twice and VOILA – no more safe mode. Thank you JIm!!!!

  101. Margaret Pardoe says

    Your first suggestion – ‘Turn it off and turn it on again’ worked! Thank you!!

  102. Rama hk says

    Yes is helpful
    I tried all the way but can’t
    Coz my note 3 volume down
    Key water damage
    Thanks alot

  103. Fee says

    After trying everything including a factory reset on my galaxy s8 plus. I found this article. Turns out my volume button was stuck and causing the phone to stay in safe mode. Thanks so much for helping me fix this problem! This site rocks

  105. Cheri M Towles says

    i’ve done i all too…not working….beginning to think i should flush the dang thing…nothing working can’t get to my contacts or apps…very irritated at the moment. so any solutions after following all steps above and still stuck?

  106. Fred says

    I must of had a stuck button. Nothing worked. I had a old phone with the same back. changed out the back and restarted from completely off. All is good. Put the stuck back on old phone and that phone works fine also????? must of unstuck it????

  107. Jim says

    None of this worked for me

    ..press power button till three icon come up. power ,restart and emergence…… hit restart button twice

  108. Emma says

    I was stuck in safe mode and I then didn’t switch off my phone for about a week or 2. I had tried all the options above previously and none of them worked so I just left it. The next day I decided to leave my phone off overnight and put it on when I woke up. When I woke up the next morning my phone was no longer in safe mode but my down volume button was still stuck.

  109. Charyl says

    my phone is still on the safe mode. I tried everything but the volume up and down are not working.

  110. Maliek says

    Am stuck in safe mode, and am pissed right now. I cant get into my phone neither can i turn it off, bacause i have to use a password for that, and it still cannot go in while in safe mode, i need some help..

  111. Marilyn Bargemann says

    No did not help still in safe mode cannot access anything settings not available so will have to send it back to virgin biggest peice of garbage ever will go back to Samsung

  114. Kayden chambles: tuh says

    I have tried everything I even did a factory data reset and when it turned back one it was still in safe mode so now what

  115. Kayden chambles says

    I have tried everything I even did a factory data reset and when it turned back one it was still in safe mode so now what

  117. Lillian says

    I did a factory reset on mine and it is asking for a password. It was working fine and the next day I could’nt sign in. I tried how to disable lock screen on androud. it is stuck on safe mode at bottom of left screen. I do not know what to do after this. It said to use the volume buttons to select but it just stats there. Help. Thank you.

  118. Edlir Petroshi says

    Unfortunately my android is stuck on safe mode .
    I have tried a lot of but is still on safe mode .
    Can you help me please ???

  119. Mike says

    Yes your first suggestion worked perfectly and I am back in business thank you. I dont know what caused the problem but I am glad to be rid of it. Thank you again!

  121. Kalpana sharma says

    Volume key is stuck and safe mode is enabled i tried to fix it but still the volume key is not working.

  123. monica says

    Please have tried all you suggested but still stuck in safe mode and my down volume not working.what else please

  124. tom says

    Tried everything you suggested but phone still stuck in safe mode.problem is that the phone is uninstalling some of the system apps!

  126. Sage says

    I’ve done all these things and even pulled out my down volume button but still safe mode automatically comes on

  127. izzy says

    Solution – use a nail cutter for the s8 to pull out the volume button. then restart your phone and lightly push your volume button back in!

  129. Jackson says

    What do you do if you did press Restart instead of powering it off and it’s still stuck?

  130. Bob Klimple says

    I did everything that you mention, but nothing worked to get it out of safemode.. Finally I just pulled the battery out of it without power down. Waited about 3 minutes re-installed the battery and restarted and no safemode.

  133. Naveen Kumar Chella durai says

    my phone display is being damaged but thats not a issue volume down botton also damaged and it stuck so automatically my device goes to safe mode suggest me any solution for this .

  134. Shikhar says

    Hi, great article but I need your immediate help.

    Here’s my problem:

    My phone was working fine earlier, then I used the ADB command fastboot reboot recovery and that’s when it displayed the dead Android and the red triangle error symbol.

    Since I own LG K10, Model number K430TV, the volume up, down and power button are at the back of this phone. I held down on all three until I saw the LG logo.

    Then, I only held the top volume key and power button for a bit longer, perhaps 10 more seconds?

    Finally, instead of booting normally, it is now asking me to enter a password to unblock Android.

    I have been given 30 attempts to do so. But no matter what I enter, the number of attempts do not decrease below 29, that’s strange!

    Also, I have never ever set up any password on this phone before so I am not sure what to enter here.

    Is there a way out of this? Do I need to flash a new OS or something? If so, how?

  135. Anthony says

    I took an exacto knife and put it under the volume button, afterwards i kept pullin up until it came out and then i restarted the phone and it came out of safe mode.

  136. khan says

    Hi,

    I followed all steps (factory reset as well) and also took out battery, unscrewed motherboard but same problem.

  137. Paul / Newport says

    #2 did the trick. It seems my case wasn’t completely on after I had to charge it via the USB landing pad.

  138. Pat says

    Yes indeed your suggestion no 2 was spot on. The volume button must have got stuck. Recently whenever I powered on my android it gave out quite a loud tune and to stop this ear piercing noise I would press hard on the volume down button. Today it must have got stuck. But it now comes on ((.still playing the loud musical notes) but WITHOUT THE SAFE MODE. so thanks to you. I am now back in business and my greyed out icons are now back in glorious colour.. thank you. Maybe you will know how I can be stop the noise it now makes when powered on. This started since updating to android version 6. In fact several weird things have happened since then but I am working on them one at a time.
    Thanks again

  139. Mary says

    I’m sorry, but none of these got my phone out of safe mode. I am so frustrated!! Ant more suggestions?

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