How to start a Samsung Galaxy in Safe mode (One UI 9)

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-start-a-samsung-galaxy-in-safe-mode/ · Checked October 2026 · SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9, Android 17 (build S942NKSS4BZIG · Samsung Galaxy S26

7 of 7 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy S26 (SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9, Android 17 (build S942NKSS4BZIG)

Starts in

Quick Settings

Real screenshots

7 of 7 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open the power menu

   Swipe down from the top right of the screen to open the quick panel and tap the power icon at the top, next to the pencil.

   Done

2. 

   Touch and hold Power off

   The menu shows Power off, Restart, Emergency call and Medical info. Touch and hold Power off; a short tap only asks to switch the phone off.

   Done

3. 

   Tap Safe mode

   A green Safe mode button appears. The text says to tap again to restart in Safe mode and that downloaded apps will be temporarily disabled. Tap it.

   Done

4. 

   Check for Safe mode in the corner

   The phone restarts. Safe mode shows at the bottom left of the lock screen and Home screen. Now try what was going wrong.

   Done

5. 

   Tap the Safe mode is on notification

   To leave, swipe down from the top of the screen. Below the charging and USB notifications, tap Safe mode is on.

   Done

6. 

   Tap Turn off

   Turn off Safe mode? says the phone will restart and all your apps will be available again. Tap Turn off.

   Done

7. 

   Turn Airplane mode off again

   On our S26, Airplane mode came on in Safe mode and was still on after the normal restart: the lock screen said Airplane mode at the top. Swipe down and tap the Airplane mode button to turn it off, or Wi-Fi and calls stay off.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Side button opens an assistant instead? Samsung also gives Side button and Volume down pressed together for the power menu. If your Side button opens Bixby or another assistant, use the power icon in the quick panel. The Side button settings button at the bottom of the power menu changes what the button does. Source: Power on your Galaxy phone or tablet in Safe mode

  

• Phone won't get to the Home screen? Samsung says to switch it off completely, switch it on and press and hold Volume down when the Samsung logo appears. Safe mode then shows at the bottom left; if it doesn't, repeat. We did not try this route. Source: Power on your Galaxy phone or tablet in Safe mode

If this does not work

• Problem gone in Safe mode? Then an app you installed is the likely cause. Samsung says to start by removing apps that were updated or installed when the problem started, then restart normally. Source: Power on your Galaxy phone or tablet in Safe mode
• Problem still there in Safe mode? It is not one of your downloaded apps. Check for a software update and see Samsung Galaxy keeps restarting? 7 things to check.
• No Wi-Fi or mobile data after leaving Safe mode? Look for the plane icon at the top right. On ours, Airplane mode stayed on after Safe mode until we turned it off.

About this guide

Safe mode tells you if an app you installed is behind crashes, freezes or a fast-draining battery. Samsung says that in Safe mode the phone doesn't run any third-party apps, so if the problem stops, an app is to blame.

The screenshots are from our Samsung Galaxy S26, the Korean model SM-S942N, with One UI 9 and Android 17 (build S942NKSS4BZIG), in Dark mode. Menus can differ on models sold in other regions. We started Safe mode and left it again; each restart took about 30 seconds.

Good to know

Apps closing by themselves? Apps keep crashing or closing on a Samsung Galaxy.

On a Google Pixel the route is different: how to start a Google Pixel in safe mode.

In short: Quick panel, power icon, touch and hold Power off, Safe mode. Leave: Safe mode is on notification, Turn off; then Airplane mode off.