Android Tablets: How to Turn On & Off Safe Mode

If your Android tablet is running slow or having issues like app crashes, it could be due to certain apps or settings. Luckily, Android devices (including tablets) have a safe mode that allows you to run only the necessary system apps and services. In this guide, we explain how to turn on and off safe mode on your Android tablet to help you diagnose and troubleshoot any problems.

What is safe mode on a tablet?

Safe Mode is a feature available on Android Operating System that helps to resolve issues related to configuration or app compatibility. This mode boots up the device with only the core system applications. The method to disable Safe Mode may vary depending on the operating system and device model. However, typically, encrypting your Android device can disable this feature.

If you’re experiencing issues with your tablet, you can use the Android safe mode as a diagnostic tool. It will temporarily disable any third-party apps you’ve installed and only run with the factory-installed apps and services. This will help you identify whether the problem is with the operating system or a specific third-party app.

How to turn on safe mode on Android tablets

To turn on safe mode on an Android tablet, you can either use the restart option or key combinations. The steps may differ slightly based on your tablet’s manufacturer, operating system version, and model, but the process is generally the same. Follow these instructions to enable safe mode on your Android tablet.

Method 1: Restarting tablet into safe mode

1. Press and hold the power key while your tablet is turned on.
2. In the pop-up menu that appears, tap on the power icon.
3. Press and hold the “Power off” option until you see the “Reboot to safe mode” message.
4. Note: On some older Android tablets, you may need to press and hold the restart button instead.
5. Tap “OK” to confirm and restart your tablet into safe mode.

Method 2: Using key combinations to turn on safe mode

Please note that this method may vary depending on your tablet’s manufacturer. Here’s a general guide:

1. Turn off your Android tablet.
2. Press and hold the power key until you see the manufacturer’s logo (e.g., Samsung or HTC), then release the power key.
3. Quickly press and hold the volume down key until your tablet boots up.
4. Release the volume down key when you see “Safe mode” displayed in the bottom-left corner.
5. Your tablet should now boot into safe mode.

How to turn off safe mode on Android tablets

To turn off safe mode on your Android tablet, you can use the following methods after resolving the issue in safe mode or if you wish to exit safe mode:

Method 1: Restart the tablet

The simplest way to exit safe mode on an Android tablet is by restarting your tablet. Here’s how:

1. Press and hold the power key.
2. From the pop-up menu, select “Restart” or “Reboot.” Some devices may only display a “Power off” option, which you can select.
3. If you choose to restart, your tablet will automatically reboot after powering off. If you selected “Power off,” press the power key again to turn your tablet back on.
4. Your tablet should now start up in normal mode without safe mode enabled.

Method 2: Use the power and volume keys

If the previous method doesn’t work, you can try using the power and volume keys to turn off safe mode. Here’s how:

1. Turn off your Android tablet.
2. Press and hold the power key until the manufacturer’s logo appears, then release it.
3. Quickly press and hold the volume down key until you enter recovery mode. In some cases, this will automatically disable safe mode.
4. From the recovery mode menu, select the option to restart your tablet.
5. After the restart, your tablet should no longer be in safe mode.

Method 3: Use the notification panel

On certain Android tablets such as Samsung tablets, you may be able to disable safe mode directly from the notification panel. Here’s how:

1. Swipe down from the top of your tablet’s screen to access the notification panel.
2. Look for the “Safe mode” option and tap on it.
3. Your tablet should exit safe mode and return to normal mode.

Method 4: Uninstall the faulty app

If you’re unable to disable safe mode using the previous methods, a faulty app may be causing the issue. Here’s what you can do:

1. Identify the potentially problematic app, especially if it was recently downloaded or updated.
2. Try troubleshooting the app by clearing its cache. Go to “Settings > Apps,” select the app, and tap on “Storage.” Then, tap on “Clear Cache.”
3. If clearing the cache doesn’t work, you can try deleting the app data. In the same “Storage” menu, tap on “Clear Data.” Please note that this will remove any login credentials and preferences associated with the app.
4. If all else fails, uninstall the app completely. Go to “Settings > Apps & notifications,” select the app from the list, and tap on “Uninstall.”

Method 5: Perform a factory reset 

If safe mode is still active on your Android tablet despite trying the previous methods, you can try to do a factory reset. Please note that performing a factory reset will delete all the data on your tablet, so it’s important to back up your crucial files and data before attempting it. The following steps will guide you on how to perform a factory reset:

1. Go to “Settings > General Management” (the exact menu may vary depending on your device).
2. Select the “Reset” option.
3. Tap on “Factory data reset” and confirm your choice. Please note that this action is irreversible.
4. Your tablet will initiate the factory reset process and reboot. After it restarts, it should be out of safe mode.

Perform a factory reset in safe or recovery mode

By following the steps below, you can easily perform a factory reset in safe mode on Android tablets.

1. In recovery mode, press and hold the power key
2. Then press the Volume up key once and let go of the power key
3. Next, keep pressing the Volume down key until Wipe data/factory Reset is highlighted
4. Press the power key to confirm your selection
5. Finally, tap the “Reboot system now” option

How to use safe mode on Android tablets

If you are experiencing slow performance or frequent crashes on your Android tablet, you can use safe mode to identify the root cause of the issue. By entering safe mode, you can deactivate all third-party apps and determine whether the problem is originating from your apps or your operating system.

If your tablet is performing better and faster in safe mode, there is probably an app that is causing the issue. However, since apps cannot be opened in Android safe mode, you will need to turn safe mode off in order to identify the problematic app.

More often than not, some third-party apps can slow down your tablet. Here’s how to find such apps and uninstall them using safe mode.

• Disable recently downloaded apps: If you are experiencing issues with your Android device after installing an app, try disabling that app to check if it improves performance.
• Unwanted apps and widgets: If your tablet has unnecessary apps and widgets that start automatically, they can deplete your Android device’s performance. Disable such apps and widgets in safe mode.
• Unused apps: Unused apps may take up storage space and cause performance problems. Disable or uninstall such apps on your tablet.

If your Android tablet continues to have problems even in safe mode, it’s probably not due to an app. Exit safe mode and check for updates to the operating system. If your device is already up to date, you may need to perform a factory reset. But before doing so, ensure to back up all your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

To sum up, you can use safe mode to detect and solve problems on your Android tablet. We hope this guide helps you understand on how to turn safe mode on and off on your tablet, so you can identify and fix any issues with apps or the operating system. Just be sure to back up your data before taking actions that might result in data loss.