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How to Enable Developer Options on Android

If you are developing apps for Android, testing unpublished apps, or need to perform debugging, you’ll need access to Developer Options on your Android device. In this guide, we explain how to enable Developer Options, with examples for popular vendors like Google, Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi.

Android Developer Options are hidden by default to prevent accidental changes that could affect the device's performance or security. However, enabling them is straightforward and can be done in a few steps. Let's go through the process for different Android devices.

Google Pixel

Follow these steps to enable Developer Options on Google Pixel devices:

  1. Open the Settings app and scroll down to About phone.

    Open Settings

  2. Tap on Build number multiple times (usually 7 times) quickly. You may be prompted to enter your device PIN or pattern. You’ll see a message: “You are now a developer!”

  3. Go back to Settings, and you’ll find Developer Options under System > Developer options.

    Developer Options in Settings

  4. Enable Use developer options.

  5. Now scroll down to the Debugging section and toggle USB debugging or Wireless debugging in order to be able to pair your development device with Android Studio.

    Enable Debugging

  6. To disable the developer options, toggle Use developer options again.

Samsung

Follow these steps to enable Developer Options on Samsung devices:

  1. Open the Settings app and scroll down to About phone.

  2. Tap on Software information, then tap Build number multiple times (usually 7 times) quickly. You may be prompted to enter your device PIN or pattern.

  3. Go back to Settings, below About phone you will see Developer options. Depending on the device, it may appear under Settings > General > Developer options.

  4. To disable the Developer options menu, go to Developer options and toggle the switch.

Huawei

Follow these steps to enable Developer Options on Huawei devices:

  1. Open the Settings app and scroll down to About phone.

  2. Tap Build number repeatedly (about 7 times) until you see the message "You are already a developer".

  3. Go back to Settings, and you’ll find Developer options under System > Developer options.

  4. Then turn on USB debugging.

  5. To disable debugging, simply toggle the USB debugging option again.

Xiaomi

Follow these steps to enable Developer Options on Xiaomi devices:

  1. Open the Settings app and tap About phone/tablet.

  2. Tap on Detailed info and specs > OS/MIUI version several times (usually 7 times).

  3. Go back to the main Settings screen.

  4. Tap Additional settings.

  5. You’ll now see Developer options in the list.

  6. To disable, in Additional settings toggle the Developer options switch to hide the developer options.