The smartphone has security modes to protect the system and facilitate corrections; learn how to safe mode activate and deactivate on Android and iPhone.
Both Android and the iPhone have diagnostic tools, called respectively Safe Mode and Recovery Mode, which are essential to deal with unstable applications and system errors. However, not everyone knows how to disable the feature when the iPhone crashes, or when someone accidentally activates it on Android.
Here, you will learn more about Security and Recovery Modes, and how to enable and disable both tools on iOS (iPhone) and Android.
What is Safe Mode and what is it for?
On Android, Safe Mode is used to diagnose problems caused mainly by applications from companies other than the manufacturer of the smartphone or tablet. That’s because it starts the gadget with all additional apps disabled, keeping only those that came from the factory up and running. This makes removing unstable apps or causing problems with your device easier.
In iOS, it receives another name and function. The Recovery Mode serves to place the iPhone or iPad into a safe state, usually automatically when a software error is detected. However, it can be activated manually either to perform a system restore via iTunes or to make profound modifications to the software (usually in jailbreak processes).
How to enable and disable Safe Mode on Android
To activate Safe Mode on Android
The method for activating Android Safe Mode varies by model and manufacturer. On devices with pure Android, or with ROMs modified by some manufacturers like Sony and Motorola, you can activate it by doing the following:
- Press and hold the Power button until the system displays the shutdown message;
- Touch and hold the Power off option ;
- On devices running versions prior to Android 8.0 (Oreo), a message will appear asking if you want to restart in Safe Mode. Touch OK. From 8.0, the device will automatically shut down.
Only that. The device will not turn off, but start in Safe Mode, with all third-party apps disabled.
Some manufacturers, such as Samsung and HTC, use different methods for some of their devices, which use the On / Off and Volume Down buttons to activate Safe Mode:
- Turn off completely the Android device;
- Press and hold the On / Off and Volume Down buttons until the device vibrates, or displays the startup screen;
- Release the Power button and hold the Volume Down button until the screen starts to load.
When done, the Android device will be in Safe Mode.
To exit Safe Mode
To disable Safe Mode, the user only needs to restart the Android device normally. This will restart it in normal mode.
How to enable and disable Recovery Mode on iOS
The method for restarting an iOS device in Recovery Mode varies by model. In general, the user will have to press or hold the On / Off buttons (circled in red in the image above, which varies according to the model), Increase Volume (green) and Decrease Volume (red), in a predetermined sequence and for a very specific time.
Likewise, a similar combination is required to perform a hard reset, the only way to exit Recovery Mode.
On 11 and 12.9-inch Pro iPads, iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, XS or XS Max
To enter Recovery Mode:
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button ;
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button ;
- Press and hold the Power button until the device restarts and after that, display the “Connect to iTunes” screen, as shown in the image above.
To force a restart:
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button ;
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button ;
- Press and hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears.
On an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus
To enter Recovery Mode:
- Press the Volume Down and On / Off buttons at the same time ;
- Keep them pressed until the “Connect to iTunes” screen appears.
To force a restart:
- Press the Volume Down and On / Off buttons at the same time;
- Keep them pressed for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
On an iPhone 6s or earlier, iPad (any model other than the Pro), iPad mini, or iPod touch
To enter Recovery Mode:
- Press the Home and Power buttons at the same time;
- Keep them pressed until the “Connect to iTunes” screen appears.
To force a restart:
- Press the Home and Power buttons at the same time;
- Keep them pressed for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
Related: