Android's Safe Mode is a troubleshooting feature that disables third-party apps and enables Airplane Mode, making it easier to diagnose problems such as lag or battery drain, or to safely remove a suspected malicious app. Because it can be triggered accidentally via the power menu, users sometimes find their phone stuck in Safe Mode with all apps greyed out, which can be confusing and disruptive for everyday use.

Fortunately, exiting Safe Mode is straightforward. Users can simply restart their phone via the power options menu, or open the notification shade, tap the "Safe Mode is on" notification, and select the option to turn it off. Airplane Mode may remain active afterwards and can be switched off separately via the Quick Settings menu. The article also notes that Google Play Protect is another built-in Android safeguard that can occasionally cause similar frustrations.