Operating systems do not always behave as they should. So, most have a “section” to help users solve problems. This mode of use is called temporary mode. It boots a “basic” system with many functions disabled. As you will have read in my tutorials, it’s easy to access this section on a PC, smartphone, or tablet. Just type a command or press a key combo, and you’re done.
All perfect, but, once inside, how is it possible to get out of it? It may seem like a complex affair, but I guarantee it, it’s much simpler than it may appear at first! How do you say? Were you just looking for a guide to explain how to get out of safe mode without damaging anything? You are in the right place. Below, I will detail the steps to return to using the operating system as usual.
Using Windows, MacOS, Linux, or mobile operating systems like Android or iOS makes no difference. You won’t need to perform any challenging tasks. You won’t have to do any complicated operations. You’ll be able to deal with them in no time, I assure you! That said, you now have time to kill. So, stand in front of your computer or use your smartphone or tablet. Pay attention to what I’m about to explain: without realizing it, you will abandon the safe mode. You will restore everything to normal without affecting your device.
What is temporary mode?
As I said before, safe mode is a startup condition. It is for diagnostics or repairs. This is why, after booting this way, you can only access some functions of the operating system. You cannot use it to its full potential.
The provisional mode provides a sort of “minimum” startup. It can deactivate whole parts of the operating system. For example, Linux’s “temporary mode” turns off its graphics. It also allows exploiting one or more connected peripherals. This happens because, during startup, only the essential drivers and basic functions of the OS are loaded. All other “accessory” aspects, like auto-starting programs, are neglected.
This makes it easier to fix any unexpected malfunctions. It allows quick intervention on drivers and programs that may disrupt the operating system. Accessing safe mode is easy. You can see by checking my tutorial on the topic. Getting out of it is just as simple, but not always obvious. That’s why I’m going to explain how to do it in all possible scenarios.
Exit the Windows safe mode
You’ve noticed larger-than-usual fonts and icons. Your desktop background is all black, with some “Safe Mode” text at the edges of the screen. Also, you can’t use most devices connected to the PC. Most likely you ended up in Windows Safe Mode!
To resolve the issue, restart the system normally by clicking the Start button in Windows 10, then the Stop button, and finally Restart the system. Alternatively, right-click on the Start button and select Restart the system.
For Windows 8.1, open the Start Screen by clicking the Start button at the bottom left (the flag icon). Then, click the Turn off button at the top right (with the shutdown icon) and choose Restart the system.
On Windows 7, you must click the Start button at the bottom left. Then, click the arrow next to the shut-down button. In the next menu, select Restart.
How do you say? Does the computer continue to boot in safe mode? Probably the entry has been set for the permanent start in this mode; do not worry, deactivating it is not difficult at all. Uaetechnician proceed, press the Win key (the one with the Windows flag) and R at the same time. In the panel that appears, type msconfig and press Enter. Then, click the Options tab to start the window that appears.
At this point, remove the check mark from the Safe Mode box, press the Apply and OK buttons, and normally restart the PC as I showed you before. You’ll see that the Windows safe mode will remain only a memory.
Exit the provisional mode of macOS
Even Macs have a “temporary mode,” called secure mode. The name is different, but the goal is the same as for Windows systems.
To check if your Mac is in safe mode, navigate to the Apple menu, select “About this Mac and the System Report…”, and find the “Software” option in the left panel. If “Secure” appears in Startup Mode, your Mac is in safe mode.
If your Mac is in safe mode, return to normal use. Go to the Apple menu at the top left of the menu bar. Click Restart, then click the Restart button. The game is practically done!
To restart your Mac in safe mode or if you used the terminal to activate it, follow these steps: open the terminal in the Launchpad’s Other folder, type sudo nvram boot-args = “” and press the Enter key.
When prompted, enter your user password (the one you use to log in to macOS), press the Enter key again, and wait for macOS to reboot into normal mode.
Have you still not solved your problem? Also, check that the keyboard Shift key is not “jammed.” Its pressure at boot causes a safe mode boot. If it is not jammed, restore the area dedicated to the system settings that macOS reads at startup.
To restart your Mac, turn it off by clicking the Apple menu > Turn Off. Then, restart by pressing cmd + alt + p + r on the keyboard, releasing the keys, and waiting for the system to boot normally.
How do you say? This last passage is not very clear to you. Consult without thinking about my tutorial on the restoration of NVRAM for further clarification.
Exit the safe mode of Linux
Most Linux distributions have some sort of temporary mode called, technically, recovery mode or single user mode. In this phase, only the basic services of the operating system are started, the login is done in a root shell, and from there, the system can be repaired by issuing instructions from the command line.
If you just happened in recovery mode and want out, it’s simple. If you are still at the initial choice screen, press CTRL + ALT + DEL to restart in normal mode. You can also position yourself on the resume entry and press Enter twice, but, in this way, it is not guaranteed to load the entire set of drivers.
If you are inside the shell and have fixed the system, type the reboot command and press Enter. This will restart the OS.
Wait, are you telling me that Linux keeps entering the recovery menu? You’ve probably set GRUB to remember the last boot option. To fix this, turn off the PC. Then, turn it on again. Immediately press and hold the Shift key until the GRUB boot menu appears.
Exit the temporary mode of Android
Exiting Android Safe Mode is simple. Just press and hold the Power button (on top or the side, depending on your device). Then, tap the off button that appears on the screen.
Now, when the device is off, press the Power button to turn it on. This should exit safe mode. If not, turn your device off again. Then, turn it on by pressing and holding the Power and Volume Down keys together. When the device is running, release the keys. Ensure that someone has disabled safe mode. The home screen will no longer display reports, and all apps will function again.
How do you say? Although you have followed the above procedure, will your device continue to reboot into safe mode? Most likely, some corrupt app prevents it from starting properly. At this point, I advise you to uninstall the latest apps. They were installed before your device started acting strangely. To do this, long-press the app icon that you suspect. Then, drag it to the Uninstall button at the top. Finally, press OK.
Exit the iOS safe mode
Entering iOS’s “safe mode” is hard. If you are, you likely jailbroke or used a specific recovery tool. We call this type of startup of the iPhone or iPad DFU. You can only achieve this if you dock the device or connect it to iTunes using a Lightning cord. They employ it for delicate healing procedures.
Additionally, if other methods don’t work, it’s for specialized purposes like wiping out the jailbreak.
The problem is that an iPhone or iPad in DFU mode shows a completely black screen, a bit ‘as if the device were “dead” and detectable only from iTunes. Do not worry, everything is perfectly normal, and you can easily exit the iOS safe mode: just know, literally, the right keys to press!
To exit “temporary mode” and restore the iPhone/iPad to its “normal” start, do this: With the device still connected to the computer and iTunes, press and hold the Power and Home buttons (the volume down button) for about twenty seconds. Release them when the Apple logo appears on the screen.
To access the Home button on an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, press the Power and Volume keys. For iPhone 8/8 Plus or iPhone X, press and release the Volume + and Volume keys.
If you can’t get out of DFU mode, you may need to restore your device, which will erase all data unless backed up. Follow the instructions in the guide for more information.
