Android Safe Mode: remove the app causing trouble
Hold the power button, then press and hold “Power off”
“Reboot to safe mode” appears. Tap OK.
Menu names may be slightly different on your phone brand.
Hold the power button, then press and hold “Power off”
“Reboot to safe mode” appears. Tap OK.
In Safe Mode, extra apps don’t run
“Safe mode” shows in the bottom corner. If the problem is gone, an app you installed is the cause.
Uninstall recently installed apps, then restart
Settings › Apps › the suspect app › Uninstall. A normal restart leaves Safe Mode.
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From basic to technician
Technical details (for the curious)
Won’t uninstall?
Apps with Device admin rights refuse to be removed. Settings › Security › Device admin apps › deactivate it first, then uninstall.
Another way into Safe Mode
On some phones (Samsung): turn it off, turn it on, and hold Volume down while the logo shows until it finishes starting.
Ads on the home screen
Also check Settings › Apps › Special app access › Display over other apps; remove the permission from suspicious apps.
While you’re here
Worth reading
Quiz time
Still not fixed?
In the next update you can tell us what happened, and our AI helper will suggest another way. Until then, restart the device and go through the steps once more.