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Booting Android into Safe Mode Guide

The document provides instructions for entering safe mode on an Android phone. It describes holding down the power button and tapping "Power off" until a prompt appears to reboot into safe mode. Once in safe mode, apps can be uninstalled if they have device administrator access by deactivating that access in the device administrator settings. The document also recommends cleaning the cache and data as part of cleaning up after removing malicious apps.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
156 views6 pages

Booting Android into Safe Mode Guide

The document provides instructions for entering safe mode on an Android phone. It describes holding down the power button and tapping "Power off" until a prompt appears to reboot into safe mode. Once in safe mode, apps can be uninstalled if they have device administrator access by deactivating that access in the device administrator settings. The document also recommends cleaning the cache and data as part of cleaning up after removing malicious apps.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

To enter into safe mode if you can boot your phone normally:

Press and hold the Power button till you see the power menu.

Tap and hold Power off until you get a prompt to Reboot to safe mode.

Tap OK.

Wait for your phone to reboot. In the bottom-left corner, you’ll see a Safe mode watermark.

If your phone won’t boot normally because of the infection, try these steps to boot a powered-
off phone into safe mode:

Press and hold the Power, Volume up, and Volume down buttons.

Once you see your phone’s logo appear, let go of Power but continue holding the Volume
buttons.

You’ll see a Safe mode watermark in the bottom-left once your device boots up.

Due to hardware manufacturer differences, this may not work for every device. Try a quick
Google search for your phone to find its safe mode combination if neither of these do the trick.

Once you have entered Safe Mode, go to Settings > Apps > Downloaded. On Android Oreo or
newer, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all X apps instead.

If you can’t uninstall an app through this menu, it likely has Device Administrator access. To
remove that access, follow these steps:

Go to Settings > Security > Device Administrators (Settings > Security & location > Device admin
apps on Oreo and newer).

Locate the app and tap the checkbox next to it.

Tap Deactivate when prompted.

Now you can go back to the list of apps and uninstall it as described above.
Android Phone Virus Aftermath: Cleaning Up

After uninstalling malicious apps, you might also want to clean up your Android device while
you’re at it. Clearing the cache and history, cleaning up the startup processes, and other basic
steps can assist in making sure your device is good to go.

Unfortunately, Android cleaning apps are typically full of junk, ads, and placebos. Follow our
guide to cleaning your Android phone to make it easy. If you want a one-tap solution, CCleaner is
a good app for removing unnecessary files without any fuss. It’s unfortunately added some bloat
recently, but it still works well enough.

The 1-2-3 Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Android Smartphone

The 1-2-3 Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Android Smartphone

If your Android phone has started slowing down after a bit of time, here's how you can speed it
up again!

READ MORE

Once you’ve cleaned up your phone, we recommend you back up your Android data if you
haven’t already. This will make it much easier to recover from future issues when they arise.

Kick Android Viruses to the Curb!

Unfortunately, if you’re sure you have malware on your device but none of the above solutions
fix it, you’ll likely have to factory reset your phone. A reset means you will lose precious data, but
that’s better than using a compromised phone.

If you experience issues in safe mode, your problem may lie with the OS or hardware, not a
virus. Your phone may even have come with malware apps pre-installed.

In such cases, your best bet may be buying a different device.


For the best security, make sure you also know how to upgrade your Android phone!

How to Upgrade Your Android Phone Without Buying a New One

How to Upgrade Your Android Phone Without Buying a New One

Upgrading your Android phone can be expensive, so how can you get the most out of your
current device?

READ MORE

Image Credit: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock

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Ben Stegner

1330 articles

Ben is a Deputy Editor and the Sponsored Post Manager at MakeUseOf. He holds a B.S. in
Computer Information Systems from Grove City College, where he graduated Cum Laude and
with Honors in his major. He enjoys helping others and is passionate about video games as a
medium.

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Common questions

Powered by AI

Factory resetting an Android phone can help eliminate persistent malware by restoring the device to its original software state, effectively removing any third-party apps and corrupted files. The downside is that it results in the loss of all data on the phone, including personal files and settings, unless they have been previously backed up .

After removing malware, Android phone performance can be improved by clearing cache and browsing history, cleaning up startup processes, and deleting residual files. Using apps like CCleaner, despite some added bloat, can automate the removal of unnecessary files. These steps help ensure the phone operates smoothly without requiring a factory reset .

The appearance of issues in Safe Mode suggests a need for hardware or OS inspection because Safe Mode disables all third-party apps, highlighting only problems related to the device's core system. Persistent issues thus indicate that the problem may not be app-related but instead linked to deeper system or hardware faults .

To enter Safe Mode on an Android phone that won't boot normally, you should press and hold the Power, Volume up, and Volume down buttons simultaneously. Once the phone's logo appears, release the Power button but continue holding both Volume buttons. You will see the Safe mode watermark in the bottom-left corner when the device boots up. If this method does not work, it is advised to search for your phone's Safe Mode combination online as it can vary by manufacturer .

To keep an Android phone free of malware, regular updates should be installed, known as maintaining the security of the device. It is crucial to avoid downloading apps from unofficial or dubious sources and to remain cautious about granting app permissions. Additionally, using reliable anti-malware software and creating regular backups of data are important preventative measures .

Holding a B.S. in Computer Information Systems provides a strong foundation in understanding technology systems and security measures, which is crucial for writing and editing articles on smartphone security and anti-malware. This educational background supports informed analysis and credible advice on tech issues, enhancing the reliability of the content produced .

Entering Safe Mode assists in the diagnosis and resolution of issues related to third-party apps by disabling all downloaded applications. This mode allows users to determine if a problem lies with the phone's default system or a third-party app by observing whether the issue persists. If the problem stops in Safe Mode, it is likely caused by one or more installed apps .

Upgrading an Android phone rather than purchasing a new one helps in retaining personal data and reducing costs associated with buying brand-new devices. However, the trade-offs include potentially extending the lifespan of outdated hardware, which may not support newer updates or features, ultimately leading to limited improvements in performance and security .

To uninstall a malicious app with Device Administrator access, navigate to Settings > Security > Device Administrators (or Security & location > Device admin apps on newer Android versions). Locate the app in question, uncheck it, and tap Deactivate when prompted. After removing its Device Administrator access, return to the list of apps and proceed with uninstallation .

Some Android devices might still have malware issues because malware apps could have been pre-installed by the manufacturer, or the problem might be due to hardware or OS flaws rather than malicious software. In such cases, even extensive software removal actions like factory resetting might not resolve the issue .

To enter into safe mode if you can boot your phone normally:
Press and hold the Power button till you see the power menu.
Tap
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After uninstalling malicious apps, you might also want to clean up your Android de
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