Safe mode stops most apps from running so you can troubleshoot problems
Safe mode is a diagnostic state your tablet enters to help you find what's causing crashes, freezes, or other issues. When safe mode is on, only the apps that came with your tablet run—third-party apps you installed stay shut down. This lets you test whether a problem is caused by something you added or by the tablet itself.
To exit safe mode, you restart your tablet in a specific way. The exact steps depend on whether you have an iPad or an Android tablet, because they use different shutdown methods. Both take less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Safe mode disables third-party apps so you can identify which one is causing problems.
- On iPad, hold the power button and volume button together, then slide to power off, then turn it back on normally.
- On Android, hold the power button until a menu appears, then press and hold "Power off" until a safe mode prompt shows, then tap "Cancel" or "Exit safe mode."
- If your tablet won't exit safe mode using the standard method, try a forced restart by holding the power button for 10 to 30 seconds.
- Safe mode is not a problem—it's a tool—so don't worry if you see it appear; just follow the exit steps and your tablet will return to normal.
Exiting safe mode on iPad
On an iPad, safe mode appears as text in the bottom left corner of the lock screen. To exit it, you use the same shutdown sequence as a normal restart, but you do not need to do anything special—just restart normally.
Hold down the power button and the volume down button at the same time. Keep holding both until you see the "slide to power off" screen. Slide the power icon to the right to shut down the iPad completely. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. When it boots up, safe mode will be gone.
If the buttons do not respond, your iPad may be frozen. In that case, try a forced restart: hold the power button alone for 10 to 30 seconds until the Apple logo appears on the screen, then release. The iPad will restart and safe mode should clear.
Exiting safe mode on Android tablets
On Android, safe mode appears as text in the bottom left or bottom right corner of the lock screen. To exit it, you restart the tablet using the power menu.
Press and hold the power button until a menu appears with options like "Power off," "Restart," or "Emergency SOS." Do not tap "Power off" yet. Instead, press and hold the "Power off" option itself for a few seconds. A new prompt will appear asking whether you want to exit safe mode. Tap "Exit safe mode" or "Cancel"—the exact wording varies by manufacturer. Your tablet will restart and return to normal mode.
If that method does not work, turn off the tablet completely by tapping "Power off," wait 10 seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on. Safe mode should not reappear on a normal restart.
What to do if safe mode will not turn off
If you follow the steps above and safe mode keeps coming back, your tablet may be stuck in a loop. This usually means a recently installed app is causing the problem, or there is a software issue that needs a deeper reset.
First, try restarting one more time using the forced restart method: hold the power button for 10 to 30 seconds without releasing, even if you see the power menu. Let the tablet shut down completely and boot up on its own. If safe mode still appears, the problem is likely an app you installed.
While in safe mode, go to Settings, then Apps or process Manager. Look for any app you installed recently—anything that is not a standard system app. Uninstall it, then restart the tablet normally. If safe mode clears, that app was the culprit. If it does not, you may need to perform a factory reset, which erases all data on the tablet. Before doing that, contact the tablet manufacturer's support line or visit an authorized repair center, because a factory reset is a last step.
How your tablet entered safe mode in the first place
Safe mode usually starts because of a problem app, a software crash, or because you held down the volume button during startup by accident. Some tablets also enter safe mode if the power button gets stuck or if there is a hardware issue.
If safe mode keeps returning after you exit it, an app is almost certainly the cause. The app may crash on startup, which triggers safe mode as a protective measure. Uninstalling recent apps one at a time while in safe mode is the fastest way to find which one is responsible.
If you did not install anything new and safe mode appeared on its own, a system update may have caused a temporary glitch. In that case, a forced restart usually clears it permanently.
Using safe mode to fix tablet problems
Now that you know how to exit safe mode, you can also use it as a troubleshooting tool. If your tablet crashes, freezes, or runs slowly, restart it into safe mode to see whether the problem goes away. If it does, a third-party app is the cause. If the problem persists in safe mode, the issue is with the tablet's system software or hardware.
To enter safe mode intentionally on Android, hold the power button until the menu appears, then press and hold "Power off." When the safe mode prompt shows, tap "Enter safe mode" instead of "Exit." On iPad, safe mode is not something you enter on purpose—it only appears when the system detects a problem.
Once you are in safe mode, use the tablet normally for a few minutes. Open the web browser, check email, or do whatever you normally do. If everything works smoothly, restart normally and uninstall apps one at a time until you find the problematic one. If the problem happens again in safe mode, contact the tablet manufacturer or visit a repair center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will exiting safe mode delete my files or settings?
No. Exiting safe mode straightforward restarts your tablet and turns third-party apps back on. All your files, photos, contacts, and settings remain exactly as they were. Safe mode is a diagnostic state, not a reset.
Can I use my tablet normally while it is in safe mode?
You can use it, but not fully. Built-in apps like email, web browser, and settings work fine. Third-party apps you installed—games, social media, messaging apps—will not open. Once you exit safe mode, all your apps return to normal.
Why does my tablet keep entering safe mode after I exit it?
A recently installed app is almost always the cause. Go back into safe mode, open Settings, find Apps or process Manager, and uninstall the most recent app you added. Restart normally. If safe mode appears again, repeat the process with the next recent app until the problem stops.
Is safe mode a virus or a sign my tablet is broken?
No to both. Safe mode is a built-in feature, not a virus. It means your tablet detected a problem and is trying to help you fix it. Most of the time, uninstalling one problematic app solves it completely.
What if the power button does not work and I cannot exit safe mode?
If your power button is stuck or unresponsive, the tablet may have a hardware problem. Contact the manufacturer's support line or visit an authorized repair center. Do not try to force the button or take the tablet apart yourself.