Safe Mode stops your phone from running third-party apps, and you turn it off by restarting your device the normal way
Safe Mode is a built-in state that runs only the apps that came with your phone — no apps you downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. It exists to help you troubleshoot when something is crashing or draining your battery. Once you have found and fixed the problem, you exit Safe Mode by restarting your phone normally. The exact steps depend on whether you have an Android phone or an iPhone, and which version you are running.
Safe Mode itself is not a setting you turn on or off in a menu. It is a state your phone enters, usually because you held down a button during startup, or because your phone detected a problem with an app. The way out is always a restart — but the restart method differs by phone type.
Key Takeaways
- Safe Mode runs only your phone's built-in apps and blocks all downloaded apps until you restart normally.
- On Android, hold the power button, then press and hold "Power off" until the Safe Mode prompt appears, then tap "Cancel" to exit.
- On iPhone, you cannot enter Safe Mode the way Android phones do — if your iPhone is in a restricted state, restart it by holding the side button and volume button together.
- If your phone keeps returning to Safe Mode after restart, an app you downloaded is likely causing the problem and needs to be removed.
- You will see "Safe Mode" written at the bottom of your Android screen when it is active; iPhones do not display this indicator.
How to exit Safe Mode on Android
On an Android phone, you exit Safe Mode by restarting normally. The steps are slightly different depending on your phone model, but the principle is the same: you interrupt the normal shutdown process to cancel the Safe Mode restart.
For most Android phones: Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears. You will see options like "Power off," "Restart," and sometimes "Emergency mode." Press and hold the "Power off" option (not just tap it) for about three seconds. A prompt will appear asking if you want to restart in Safe Mode. Tap "Cancel" to exit Safe Mode and restart normally. Your phone will restart, and Safe Mode will be off.
For Samsung phones: Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears. Tap "Power off" and hold it for three seconds. When the Safe Mode prompt appears, tap "Cancel." Your phone will restart without Safe Mode.
For Google Pixel phones: Press and hold the power button until you see the power menu. Tap and hold "Power off" for three seconds. When prompted, tap "Cancel" to exit Safe Mode and restart normally.
After your phone restarts, look at the bottom left corner of your lock screen or home screen. If you no longer see the words "Safe Mode," you have successfully exited. All your downloaded apps will now be available again.
What to do if your Android phone keeps returning to Safe Mode
If your phone restarts into Safe Mode repeatedly, even after you have exited it, a recently downloaded app is almost certainly the cause. Safe Mode is your phone's way of protecting itself when it detects a problem. To fix this, you need to find and remove the app that is causing the issue.
Start by thinking about which app you downloaded most recently before Safe Mode started happening. Open Safe Mode again (this time intentionally — hold the power button, tap "Power off," hold it, then tap "Power off" again when prompted). In Safe Mode, go to Settings, then Apps or Application Manager. Look for the app you suspect, tap it, and select "Uninstall." Restart your phone normally. If Safe Mode does not return, that was the problem app.
If you are not sure which app caused it, uninstall your most recent downloads one at a time, restarting after each removal. Once your phone stays out of Safe Mode, you have found the culprit. You can try downloading that app again later, or look for an alternative.
How to handle Safe Mode on iPhone
iPhones do not have a Safe Mode in the way Android phones do. If your iPhone is running only Apple's built-in apps and your downloaded apps are not appearing, the phone is likely in a restricted state caused by Screen Time settings or a configuration issue, not Safe Mode.
To restart your iPhone and clear any restricted state: On iPhone X and newer, press and hold the side button and either volume button together until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your phone. Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears. On iPhone 8 and earlier, press and hold the top (or side) button until the power-off slider appears, then follow the same process.
If your downloaded apps are still missing after restart, go to Settings, then Screen Time. If Screen Time is on, tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions" and check whether app restrictions are enabled. If they are, turn them off. If you do not remember your Screen Time passcode, you will need to reset your iPhone through Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, which will wipe your phone.
Why your phone entered Safe Mode in the first place
Safe Mode usually activates for one of three reasons: you held down a button during startup by accident, a downloaded app is crashing repeatedly, or your phone detected a serious problem with system performance.
If you entered it by accident, exiting is straightforward — just restart normally using the steps above. If an app caused it, you will need to remove that app to prevent Safe Mode from returning. If your phone entered Safe Mode on its own without a recent app download, it is usually a sign that your storage is almost full, your battery is critically low, or an older app has become incompatible with your current phone software. Restart normally first, then check your storage in Settings and consider removing old photos, videos, or unused apps.
How to tell if your phone is actually in Safe Mode
On Android, Safe Mode is obvious: the words "Safe Mode" appear in the bottom left corner of your lock screen and home screen in gray text. You cannot miss it. On iPhone, there is no Safe Mode indicator because iPhones do not have Safe Mode. If your iPhone is not running downloaded apps, the issue is Screen Time restrictions or a different problem entirely.
If you see "Safe Mode" on your Android screen but you did not intentionally enter it, your phone detected a problem with an app. Do not ignore it — use the steps above to find and remove the problematic app. Leaving your phone in Safe Mode long-term is not harmful, but it defeats the purpose of having downloaded apps, and it is a sign that something needs fixing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my downloaded apps while in Safe Mode?
No. Safe Mode blocks all third-party apps — only your phone's built-in apps like Phone, Messages, Settings, and Camera will work. This is intentional and helps you figure out which downloaded app is causing problems. Once you exit Safe Mode, all your downloaded apps return.
Will exiting Safe Mode delete my apps or data?
No. Restarting your phone to exit Safe Mode does not delete anything. Your apps, photos, messages, and files all stay exactly where they are. Safe Mode is temporary and does not change your data.
What if I cannot get my phone to exit Safe Mode?
If the normal restart steps do not work, try a force restart: on Android, hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until your phone vibrates and restarts. On iPhone, follow the button combination for your model (listed above) and hold it longer — up to 20 seconds. If your phone still will not exit Safe Mode after a force restart, a downloaded app is likely corrupted and needs to be removed in Safe Mode.
Does Safe Mode slow down my phone?
Safe Mode does not slow your phone down — it actually runs faster because it is not loading third-party apps. However, you cannot use most of your apps, so it feels limited. Once you exit Safe Mode, your phone returns to normal speed.
Can I turn off Safe Mode permanently so it never activates?
Safe Mode is not a feature you can disable. It is a built-in protection that your phone uses when needed. The best way to prevent it from activating is to avoid holding buttons during startup and to remove any app that causes your phone to enter Safe Mode repeatedly.