To restart a Samsung Galaxy phone in Safe mode, open its Power menu, touch and hold Power off, then tap Safe mode. If you cannot use the menu, power the phone off; turn it on and hold Volume down when the Samsung logo appears. Safe mode temporarily disables third-party apps, helping you check whether one may be causing a problem.
Start Safe mode from the Power menu
Use this method when the phone is responsive enough to open its Power menu. On many Galaxy devices, you can open it in either of these ways:
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- Press and hold the Side and Volume down buttons together.
- Open the Quick panel and tap its Power icon.
- In the Power menu, touch and hold Power off until the Safe mode option appears.
- Tap Safe mode and wait for the phone to restart.
- Check for the words Safe mode at the bottom of the screen.
On Galaxy devices with a regular Power button, Samsung also describes opening the Power menu by holding that button. Menu layout and button names can differ by model, carrier, and software version. See Samsung’s Safe mode instructions if the controls on your phone look different.
Start Safe mode with the phone powered off
If opening the Power menu is difficult, use the button sequence during startup:
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
- Turn the phone completely off.
- Turn it on. When the Samsung logo appears, press and hold Volume down.
- Keep holding the button until startup finishes, then check for the Safe mode label at the lower left.
If the label does not appear, Samsung advises repeating the steps. This startup method and the Power menu method lead to the same diagnostic mode.
Use Safe mode to narrow down the cause
Samsung says that “In Safe mode, your device won’t run any third-party apps.” The phone continues running core applications, so use it normally long enough to see whether the original freezing, crashing, lag, camera, audio, or network symptom returns. Samsung identifies these as examples of problems that downloaded apps may affect (Samsung app and power troubleshooting).
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
If the problem stops
A recently downloaded app is a likely cause, though Safe mode does not identify a specific app by itself. Start with apps installed or updated around the time the problem began. Remove likely candidates one at a time, restarting and checking whether the symptom returns after each removal. This makes it easier to identify a change associated with the problem.
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If the symptom still occurs while third-party apps are disabled, a downloaded app may not be responsible. Samsung’s boot-loop troubleshooting guidance says a problem that persists in Safe mode is likely hardware-related and recommends having the device inspected by Samsung service.
Rank #3
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Exit Safe mode
Restart the phone normally to leave Safe mode. On screens that offer it, you can also open the Safe mode notification and tap Turn off. The phone should boot normally, with third-party apps available again.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Before considering a factory reset
Do not jump straight to a factory reset as the next diagnostic step. Samsung warns that a reset removes data and content, recommends it only as a last resort after other steps, and advises backing up personal data first. Follow Samsung’s troubleshooting guidance before deciding whether a reset is appropriate.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Rank #4
- AWESOME SCREEN. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES: Elevate your content no matter where you are with the 6.7" Super AMOLED display¹ of the Galaxy A37 5G. Enjoy massive detail and stunning clarity on the go
- LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Whether it’s family moments or important calls, stay powered without the wait with Galaxy A37 5G. Super Fast Charging 2.0² ensures you’re back up and running quickly
- NEVER MISS THE SHOT, EVEN IN LOW LIGHT: With effortless Nightography, you can capture clear high-quality photos and videos on your phone automatically without adjusting manual settings
- PRO SHOTS, NO PROBLEM: Capture every moment effortlessly on Galaxy A37 5G with the advanced triple-lens camera system featuring a 50MP HDR main camera and a studio-grade front camera
- MORE POWER. MORE AWESOME: Enjoy smooth performance on Galaxy A37 5G. From detailed graphics while gaming to quick app launches and effortless multitasking, the Exynos 1480 keeps everything running
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