Reset Android Phone in Safe Mode

This is taken as a direct copy of an article written in The New York Times technical section, by J.D. Biersdorfer, it is just too useful not to include in this blog.

Troubleshooting Android in Safe Mode

Q. My Android phone just started freezing and crashing a few days ago. What would cause it to do so?

A. Certain third-party apps could make the phone act erratically, and some people have complained that recent Android updates have caused problems. As with a desktop computer, you can restart the phone in Safe Mode. When in Android’s Safe Mode, only the basic original software and apps are used and any other apps you have downloaded from Google Play or elsewhere stay on the sidelines. If the phone’s performance instantly improves, a third-party app is likely the culprit.

To restart the phone in Safe Mode, press and hold the power button down until you see the Power Off box appear on screen. Next, press and hold your finger on the Power Off box. When you see a “Reboot to safe mode” option, tap the O.K. button. The phone should start up in Safe Mode.

Try out the phone for an hour or two to test its stability. If the handset shows a noticeable improvement, a third-party app is the probable cause. (You can leave Safe Mode by restarting the phone again.)

If you have your suspicions about any new apps you have recently downloaded, delete them one by one to see if the phone’s behavior improves. You can always download and reinstall an app again if you see no difference in the phone’s performance. Mobile malware and adware apps posing as games have been issues with Android at times, so be careful what you download to your phone. A number of Android antivirus apps are also available, but read the reviews from trusted sources first if you are considering a security app.

If the phone is still freezing and crashing, a deeper level of investigation is necessary. Google has a page of troubleshooting tips that may help point you in the right direction. You may also want to check Google’s Android Help page and user forums on sites dedicated to Android to see if issues for your version of the system have been reported.