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.

Why use safe mode?

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 that were already installed when you first purchased your phone. If the phone performance improves in safe mode, one or more downloaded applications likely have a negative impact.

You can exit safe mode by restarting the device and uninstall the application or applications you suspect are causing the problem. (It is also possible to uninstall applications from inside safe mode.) If you're faced with a recent problem, and unsure which application is causing the problem, you can start by uninstalling the most recently downloaded one.

To enable safe mode

1. While the device is powered on, press and hold down 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.

To 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. Verify after each action whether the problem was solved, before trying the next one:

• Remove any protective case. A case might interfere with one of the phone's physical keys and prevent the device from starting properly.
• Ensure that the volume key, power key, and camera key respond properly and are not stuck in one position.
• Ensure that you tap Power off when you restart your device, do not touch and hold. If you touch and hold Power off, it might restart into safe mode in some device models.
• Check for new software wirelessly in your device using Settings → System → Advanced →​​​​​​​ Software update →​​​​​​​ SYSTEM. However, some updates are not available for wireless download. You then need to check for new software using a computer and the Xperia Companion computer application.
• If your Xperia device has the latest available software and the problem persists, try to perform a factory data reset on your device. 
  Remember: All personal content on your device's internal memory gets deleted when you perform a factory data reset. You can backup content that you want to keep. Content on an external memory card (SD card) is not deleted.