--- description: Step-by-step guide to enable or turn off developer options on your Android device for app testing, debugging, and development with Android Studio or Capacitor. title: How to Enable or Disable Developer Options on Android - Capawesome image: https://capawesome.io/docs/assets/images/social/blog/how-to-enable-android-developer-mode.png --- [Skip to content ](#how-to-enable-or-disable-developer-options-on-android) [🖥️ Introducing the **Capacitor Electron Platform** — build desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux. 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](/docs/cloud/integrations/) * Account * [ Organization ](/docs/cloud/organizations/) * [ Two-Factor Enforcement ](/docs/cloud/organizations/two-factor-authentication/) * [ Audit Logs ](/docs/cloud/organizations/audit-logs/) * [ Billing ](/docs/cloud/organizations/billing/) * [ License Keys ](/docs/cloud/license-keys/) * [ AI ](/docs/ai/) * [ Insiders ](/docs/insiders/) * [ Billing & Plans ](/docs/insiders/billing-and-plans/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/insiders/faq/) * [ License ](https://capawesome.io/legal/eula/) * [ Support ](/docs/support/) * [ Contributing ](/docs/contributing/) * Contributing code * [ Code of Conduct ](/docs/contributing/code-of-conduct/) * [ Questions ](https://docs.github.com/en/discussions/collaborating-with-your-community-using-discussions/participating-in-a-discussion#creating-a-discussion) * [ Blog ](/blog/) * Categories * [ Conclusion ](#conclusion) # How to Enable or Disable Developer Options on Android[¶](#how-to-enable-or-disable-developer-options-on-android "Permanent link") If you're developing or testing apps on Android—for example with Android Studio or [Capacitor](https://capacitorjs.com/)—you need **developer options** on your device. This guide shows you how to enable developer options on Android and how to turn them off when you don't need them, with steps for Google Pixel, Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi. **Android developer options** are hidden by default to prevent accidental changes that could affect performance or security. Enabling developer options on your Android device is required for USB debugging, running development builds, and testing outside the Play Store. Below we walk through how to enable developer options on Android (and how to disable developer options) for popular device brands. ## Google Pixel[¶](#google-pixel "Permanent link") Follow these steps to enable Developer Options on Google Pixel devices: 1. Open the **Settings** app and scroll down to **About phone**. ![Open Android Settings](/blog/how-to-enable-android-developer-mode/384715029-4b3f82ea-16f1-44ff-bd85-9a3e04e2d617.png) 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 Android Settings](/blog/how-to-enable-android-developer-mode/120583947-25ce48c4-6ffb-4995-8791-fef2c6b3d4d9.png) 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 in Android](/blog/how-to-enable-android-developer-mode/672198453-9d6b43fa-fc59-41db-8e83-cd61ea7c2bfc.png) 6. To disable the developer options, toggle **Use developer options** again. ## Samsung[¶](#samsung "Permanent link") 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[¶](#huawei "Permanent link") 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[¶](#xiaomi "Permanent link") 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. ## How to Turn Off Developer Options on Android[¶](#how-to-turn-off-developer-options-on-android "Permanent link") To turn off developer options on your Android device, open **Settings** (or **Additional settings** on Xiaomi), go to **Developer options**, and toggle **Use developer options** off. The menu will be hidden again until you tap the build number to re-enable it. If you're also building for iOS, see our guide on [how to enable or disable developer mode on iPhone](/blog/how-to-enable-ios-developer-mode/). ## FAQ[¶](#faq "Permanent link") ### Do I need Developer Options to install an APK?[¶](#do-i-need-developer-options-to-install-an-apk "Permanent link") No. Installing an APK directly only requires allowing **Install unknown apps** for whatever app you install from, such as your browser or file manager. Developer Options and USB debugging are needed to connect the device to Android Studio or `adb` — for example to run and debug a development build. To send an APK to testers without any of this, see [how to distribute iOS and Android apps to testers](/blog/how-to-distribute-ios-and-android-apps-to-testers/). ### What's the difference between Developer Options and USB debugging?[¶](#whats-the-difference-between-developer-options-and-usb-debugging "Permanent link") Developer Options is the hidden settings menu you unlock by tapping the build number. USB debugging is one toggle _inside_ that menu — it's what lets Android Studio and `adb` communicate with your device over a cable. Enabling Developer Options alone doesn't turn on debugging; you enable USB (or wireless) debugging separately. ### Why can't I find "Build number" on my device?[¶](#why-cant-i-find-build-number-on-my-device "Permanent link") Its location varies by manufacturer. On Google Pixel it's under **About phone**, on Samsung under **About phone > Software information**, on Huawei under **About phone**, and on Xiaomi under **About phone > OS/MIUI version**. See the per-brand steps above. ### My device isn't showing up in Android Studio — what's wrong?[¶](#my-device-isnt-showing-up-in-android-studio-whats-wrong "Permanent link") After enabling USB debugging, connect the cable and watch the phone for an **"Allow USB debugging?"** prompt — you must accept it (tap **Always allow** for your computer). Also set the USB mode to **File transfer** rather than charging only, and if it still doesn't appear, try another cable or port, since charge-only cables don't carry data. ### Is enabling Developer Options safe?[¶](#is-enabling-developer-options-safe "Permanent link") Yes. It only reveals advanced settings and doesn't change anything on its own. The risk comes from toggling individual options you don't understand. When you're done, you can turn **Use developer options** off to hide the menu again. ### How do I use wireless debugging instead of USB?[¶](#how-do-i-use-wireless-debugging-instead-of-usb "Permanent link") On Android 11 and later, Developer Options includes **Wireless debugging**. Enable it, tap **Pair device with pairing code**, and enter the code in Android Studio to connect over Wi-Fi without a cable. ## Conclusion[¶](#conclusion "Permanent link") Enabling developer options on Android is the first step to debugging and testing your app on a physical device. Each manufacturer places the option in a slightly different place, but the pattern is the same: tap the build number several times, then turn on USB or wireless debugging as needed. For more device and build tips, see our [troubleshooting guide](/blog/troubleshooting-capacitor-android-issues/) for Capacitor on Android. If you have questions, join the [Capawesome Discord server](https://discord.gg/VCXxSVjefW) or [subscribe](/newsletter/) to the Capawesome newsletter to stay updated. 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On Google Pixel it's under About phone, on Samsung under About phone > Software information, on Huawei under About phone, and on Xiaomi under About phone > OS/MIUI version. See the per-brand steps above."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "My device isn't showing up in Android Studio — what's wrong?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "After enabling USB debugging, connect the cable and watch the phone for an \"Allow USB debugging?\" prompt — you must accept it (tap Always allow for your computer). Also set the USB mode to File transfer rather than charging only, and if it still doesn't appear, try another cable or port, since charge-only cables don't carry data."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is enabling Developer Options safe?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. It only reveals advanced settings and doesn't change anything on its own. The risk comes from toggling individual options you don't understand. 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