How do I enable and exit safe mode? (Android 11 or higher)

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

Valid for

• Android™ 11 or later

Downloaded applications may affect the performance of your device or cause it to behave unpredictably. Use safe mode to check whether a downloaded application is causing the problem.

In safe mode, your device only starts with software and applications already installed when purchased. If the device performance improves in safe mode, one or more downloaded applications will likely affect the device negatively. You can exit the safe mode by restarting the device and uninstalling the application or applications you suspect are causing the problem. (It is also possible to uninstall applications from inside safe mode.) If the problem is recent and you're not sure which is causing the problem, start by uninstalling the most recently downloaded application.

Enable safe mode

1. While the device is on, press and hold the Power key.
2. In the pop-up menu, press the Power key.
3. Touch and hold Power off until the Reboot to safe mode message appears.
4. Tap OK to restart in safe mode.

1. While the device is powered on, press the Power button and volume up button at the same time.
2. In the pop-up menu, touch and hold Power off until the Reboot to safe mode message appears.
3. Tap OK to restart in safe mode.

Exit safe mode

• When in safe mode, restart the phone.

If you can't exit the safe mode by restarting the device, try these actions one after the other. After each step, test to see if the issue is resolved before moving on to the next step.

• Remove any protective case. A case might interfere with one of the device's physical keys and prevent the device from starting properly.
• Make sure that the Volume, Power, and Camera keys respond properly and are not stuck in one position.
• When you restart your device, make sure you tap Power off. Do not touch and hold. In some models, if you touch and hold Power off, that could restart into safe mode.
• Check for new wireless software updates in your device using Settings → System → Advanced → Software update → SYSTEM. Be aware that some updates are not available for wireless download. Because of this, you should also check for new software updates using a computer and the Xperia Companion computer application.
• If your Xperia® device has installed the latest software update and the problem persists, perform a factory data reset.
  
  Note: All personal content on the internal memory of your device is deleted when you perform a factory data reset. Back up all content you want to keep before performing a factory data reset. Content on an external memory card (SD™ card) is not deleted.