To get your tablet off safe mode, simply restart it normally by pressing and holding the power button until the restart option appears, then tap it. On Samsung Galaxy tablets, you can also swipe down from the top of the screen, tap the "Safe mode is on" notification, and then tap "Turn off."
What is safe mode?
Safe mode is a diagnostic feature on Android tablets that temporarily disables all third-party applications, allowing you to troubleshoot issues caused by recently installed or malfunctioning apps. When your tablet is in safe mode, only pre-installed system apps will run, and a "Safe mode" label typically appears at the bottom-left corner of the screen. If your device is instead stuck on a different startup screen, you may need to get my tablet out of fastboot mode before you can proceed. Common causes for a tablet entering safe mode include faulty or malicious third-party applications, malware attacks, or system bugs.
Restart your tablet to exit safe mode
Restarting the device is the most common and easiest way to exit safe mode on an Android tablet or Amazon Fire tablet. Follow these steps:
- Press and hold the power button on your tablet until the power menu appears on the screen.
- Tap the "Restart" or "Reboot" option from the menu.
- Wait for the tablet to power off and boot back up normally.
If your tablet is unresponsive and the power button doesn't work, perform a force restart by pressing and holding the power button for 10-15 seconds until the device powers off. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. After restarting, your tablet should boot up normally and exit safe mode.
Turn off safe mode from the notification panel (Samsung Galaxy tablets)
On Samsung Galaxy tablets, you have an additional option to exit safe mode directly from the notification panel. This is the quickest way to get a Samsung Galaxy off safe mode without needing to restart the entire device. To do this:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
- Look for the "Safe mode is on" notification.
- Tap the notification, then tap "Turn off" in the pop-up that appears.
- Your tablet will restart and exit safe mode automatically.
Check for stuck buttons
If your tablet keeps entering safe mode, check whether the volume or power buttons are physically stuck or malfunctioning. On some devices, holding down a volume button during boot can trigger safe mode intentionally. Ensure no buttons are pressed down or jammed, and clean around them gently if needed. If a button is damaged, it may need professional repair.
Uninstall recently installed apps
While your tablet is still in safe mode, you can troubleshoot and remove problematic apps that may have caused the issue. Since third-party apps are disabled in safe mode, you can safely uninstall them:
- Open the Settings app on your tablet.
- Navigate to the "Apps" or "Applications" section.
- Find any apps you installed just before the problem started.
- After uninstalling the suspected apps, restart your tablet normally.
If the problem was caused by a faulty app, your tablet should now boot up without entering safe mode.
Factory reset as a last resort
If none of the above methods work, a factory reset can resolve persistent safe mode issues. Warning: this will erase all data on your tablet, restoring it to original factory settings. Back up any important files, photos, contacts, and other data before proceeding. You can back up by transferring files to a computer or using cloud storage services. To perform a factory reset:
- Open the Settings menu on your tablet.
- Navigate to the "Backup & Reset" or "Privacy" section.
- Select "Factory Data Reset" or "Reset Device."
- Confirm the reset when prompted, understanding that all data will be erased.
- Wait for the process to complete; your tablet will restart multiple times.
- Set up your tablet as a new device, restoring any backed-up data as needed.
If your tablet continues to boot in safe mode after a factory reset, this may indicate a deeper hardware or software issue requiring professional assistance from the tablet's manufacturer.
