Safe Mode turns off third-party apps to help you troubleshoot problems
Safe Mode is a diagnostic state that disables all apps you installed yourself, leaving only the apps that came with your tablet. It runs when your tablet detects a problem — usually a recently installed app causing crashes, freezing, or battery drain. To turn it off, you restart your tablet normally instead of holding the power button in a specific way.
Most tablets exit Safe Mode automatically when you restart them the standard way. If your tablet is stuck in Safe Mode, the steps below will get you out. The exact button locations vary slightly by manufacturer, but the process is the same across Samsung, Amazon Fire, Google Pixel, and most other Android tablets.
Key Takeaways
- Safe Mode disables third-party apps and only runs the system apps that came with your tablet.
- Your tablet enters Safe Mode when it detects a problem, usually from a recently installed app.
- Restarting your tablet the normal way — pressing and holding the power button, then tapping Restart — exits Safe Mode.
- If your tablet stays in Safe Mode after restart, you may need to uninstall a recently added app or perform a factory reset.
- You can tell you are in Safe Mode by the words "Safe Mode" printed in the bottom left corner of your lock screen.
How to restart your tablet and exit Safe Mode
The fastest way out of Safe Mode is a normal restart. Press and hold the power button on the side or top of your tablet until a menu appears on screen. This usually takes three to five seconds. Do not hold it longer than ten seconds, or your tablet will power off completely instead of showing the menu.
Once the menu appears, tap Restart or Reboot (the exact wording depends on your tablet's brand). Your tablet will turn off and back on. When it finishes starting up, check the bottom left corner of your lock screen — if the words "Safe Mode" are gone, you have successfully exited.
If you do not see a Restart option, tap Power Off instead. Wait ten seconds after the screen goes black, then press the power button again to turn your tablet back on. This achieves the same result as a restart.
Why your tablet might be stuck in Safe Mode
If your tablet restarts but stays in Safe Mode, an app you installed is likely causing the problem. Safe Mode keeps running until you either remove that app or reset your tablet to factory settings. The most common culprit is an app you installed in the last day or two, especially if your tablet started having problems around the same time.
To find the problem app, think about what you installed recently. Apps that access your camera, location, or storage are common sources of conflicts. If you remember installing something unusual or from an unfamiliar source, that is a good place to start.
Uninstalling a recently added app to fix the problem
While your tablet is in Safe Mode, you can still uninstall apps. Open Settings, then tap Apps or process Manager (the name varies by brand). Scroll through the list and look for any app you installed in the last few days.
Tap the app name, then tap Uninstall. A confirmation message will appear — tap OK or Uninstall again to confirm. After you uninstall the app, restart your tablet the normal way. If Safe Mode disappears this time, that app was the problem. You can reinstall it later if you want, or look for an updated version from the app store.
If you are not sure which app caused the problem, uninstall the most recent one first. Restart and check. If Safe Mode is still there, go back to Settings and uninstall the next most recent app. Repeat until Safe Mode stops appearing.
Performing a factory reset if Safe Mode will not go away
If restarting and uninstalling apps does not work, your tablet may need a factory reset. This erases everything on your device — all apps, photos, messages, and settings — and returns it to the state it was in when you first bought it. Only do this if you have backed up your important files and you have tried the steps above.
To perform a factory reset, open Settings and scroll down to find System, About Tablet, or Reset Options (the exact name depends on your tablet). Tap it, then look for Reset, Factory Reset, or Erase All Data. Tap that option, then confirm by tapping Reset or Erase again. Your tablet will restart and begin the reset process, which can take ten to twenty minutes.
When the reset finishes, your tablet will ask you to set it up as if it were new. You will need your Google account email and password to sign back in. After setup is complete, Safe Mode should be gone.
How to tell if you are in Safe Mode
Safe Mode is straightforward to spot. Look at the bottom left corner of your lock screen — if the words "Safe Mode" appear there in gray text, your tablet is running in Safe Mode. You will also notice that many of your installed apps are missing from your home screen and app drawer. The apps that came with your tablet, like Settings, Calendar, and the web browser, will still be there.
Some tablets also show a notification at the top of the screen saying "Safe Mode is on." If you see either of these signs, your tablet is in Safe Mode and needs to be restarted to return to normal.
What Safe Mode does and does not do
Safe Mode only disables third-party apps — the ones you installed yourself. System apps that came with your tablet continue to run normally. This means you can still make calls, send messages, use the web browser, and access Settings while in Safe Mode. You just cannot use any apps you downloaded from the Google Play Store or other sources.
Safe Mode does not delete any of your apps or data. When you exit Safe Mode, all your apps and files will still be there exactly as you left them. Safe Mode is purely a diagnostic tool to help you figure out which app is causing problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my tablet normally while it is in Safe Mode?
You can use system apps like Settings, the web browser, and the phone app, but you cannot use any apps you installed yourself. If you need to use a specific app, you will need to exit Safe Mode first. Restarting your tablet normally will do that.
Will Safe Mode delete my apps or photos?
No. Safe Mode only hides third-party apps temporarily — it does not delete anything. When you restart and exit Safe Mode, all your apps and files will be exactly where you left them.
What if I do not know which app is causing the problem?
Start by uninstalling the app you installed most recently. Restart your tablet and check if Safe Mode is gone. If it is still there, uninstall the next most recent app and repeat. This process usually finds the problem app within a few tries.
Is it safe to do a factory reset?
A factory reset is safe, but it erases everything on your tablet. Before you do one, back up your important photos and files to cloud storage like Google Drive or OneDrive. Only perform a factory reset if restarting and uninstalling apps have not worked.
Why does my tablet keep going back into Safe Mode after I restart?
This means the problem app is still installed. Go to Settings, find Apps, and uninstall any app you added in the last few days. After you uninstall it, restart your tablet again. If Safe Mode returns, uninstall the next most recent app.