How to Enable Developer Options on any Android Phone?

The Android Developer options comes with a lot of useful tools to help you tweak your device. You can find this option in the hidden inside the Settings app. Yes, It’s hidden and can’t be directly accessed by anyone. Manufacturers hide this option because they don’t want the non-tech folks to break their head into something which they don’t have an idea about. To take advantage of the tools and options in the Developer options, you’ll need to enable it.

As the name implies, The Developer options is intended primarily for developers. There’s not much in it which might be of use for a normal user. That’s why it’s hidden. Most of our readers only use it when they plan to unlock their bootloader or use the ADB commands, or to enable USB debugging. Enabling it is different for devices from different brands and could be messy at times, that’s the primary reason why we created this guide. Check out the below simple steps to enable Developer option on your phone.

The Basic Procedure

Generally, Developer options can be enabled by the below steps.

• Navigate to Settings > About Device > Build Number.
• Tap a few times and then you’ll see a toast notification with a countdown that says “You are now X steps away from being a developer.”
• Keep calm and continue tapping on Build Number till you get a toast that reads “You’re now a developer!.”
• If you still feel like tapping, you will get a toast saying “No need, you’re already a developer.”
• Congratulations, Tap the Back button and you shall see Developer options menu above the About Device section in Settings.

Enabled the Developer options by mistake? Want to disable? You can navigate to the bottom of this article and follow the steps to hide/disable Developer options on your phone.

Brand Specific Procedures

Different phone manufacturers take a different route to hide Developer options menu on their customized Android skin. So it will be little tedious for you to find the appropriate path to enable it. We will make it easy for you by explaining the steps to be followed to enable it for different brands.

Samsung (Samsung Experience AKA TouchWiz)

Samsung phones are now coming with a newly refined interface called Samsung Experience formerly known as TouchWiz which is their own customized version of Android. Follow the below steps to enable it on your Samsung device.

1. Go to Settings > About Device which is located at the end of the menu.
2. Scroll down to the bottom and you will see Build number option. If you don’t see that,
3. Tap on Software info > Build number.
4. Tap on Build number option 7 times and then a toast will be shown saying “Developer options are enabled.”

You can now go back to the Settings app and find the Developer options above the About device option.

OnePlus (OxygenOS & HydrogenOS)

OnePlus has always tried to follow stock Android approach on their software dubbed as OxygenOS (Hydrogen OS in China). Here are the steps to enable Developer options menu on OnePlus Devices.

1. Go to Settings and tap on About Device which is located at the end of the menu.
2. Scroll until you find “Build number“
3. Tap on Build number option 7 times.
4. Then you will be asked to provide your screen lock password.
5. Once you successfully authenticate, then a Toast message will be shown saying You’re now a developer.

Nokia

Rejuvenated by HMD Global, Nokia made a comeback in 2017. Nokia devices are running a close to stock Android skin. So the steps to enable the Developer mode is similar, follow the below steps to enable.

1. Go to Settings and tap on About Device which is located at the end of the menu.
2. In About Device, scroll down to the bottom and you will see Build number option.
3. Tap on Build number option 7 times and then a toast will be shown saying You’re now a developer.

Xiaomi (MIUI)

Xiaomi runs a heavily customized version of Android skin in their devices and it is named as MIUI. Let’s find out how to enable Developer options menu on MIUI.

1. Go to Settings and tap on About Phone which is located at the end of the menu.
2. In About Phone, scroll down to the bottom and you will see MIUI Version option.
3. Tap on MIUI Version option 7 times and then a toast will be shown saying You’ve enabled Developer options.
4. Now you can find this under Settings > Additional settings > Developer options

Huawei (EMUI)

Huawei’s custom Android skin is dubbed as EMUI aka Emotion UI. Follow the below steps to enable Developer options menu on EMUI.

1. Go to Settings > All and tap on About phone which is located at the end of the menu.
2. In About phone, scroll down to the bottom and you will see Build number option.
3. Tap on Build number option 7 times and then a toast will be shown saying You’re now a developer.

HTC (Sense UI)

HTC Sense UI is the customized version of Android made by HTC. It is one of the beautiful user interfaces in the market. Here’s how we can enable Developer options menu on HTC Sense UI.

1. Go to Settings and tap on About which is located at the end of the menu.
2. Here, tap on Software information and then tap on More.
3. You will find Build number option there. Tap on Build number option 7 times and then a toast will be shown saying Now you’re a developer.

LG (LG UX AKA Optimus UI)

LG UX is a custom Android skin made for LG smartphones. It was formerly known as Optimus UI but the name was changed with LG G4 launch.  Let’s see how we can enable Developer options menu on LG phones.

1. Go to Settings > General and tap on About phone.
2. Next, Tap on Software info and there, you will find the option Build number.
3. Tap on Build number option 7 times and then developer options and then a toast will be shown saying “You’re now a developer.”

Gionee (AmigoOS)

Gionee smartphones are running on their custom Android skin named AmigoOS. Follow the below steps to enable Developer options menu on Gionee phones.

1. Go to Settings and tap on About Device which is located at the end of the menu.
2. In About Device, Look for Build number option.
3. Tap on Build number option till you see a toast saying “Developer options are enabled.”
4. Go back to Settings and above the About Device, you’ll see the Developer options.

Vivo (FuntouchOS)

FuntouchOS is the name given by Vivo to their Android skin. Here are the steps to enable Developer options menu in Vivo phones.

1. Go to Settings > More settings.
2. In the menu appeared, scroll till you seeSoftware version.
3. Tap on Software version option 7 times and then a toast will be shown saying Developer options are enabled.
4. Go back to Settings and you’ll be able to find the Developer mode.

OPPO (ColorOS)

OPPO smartphones are running on their custom Android skin named ColorOS. Let’s check out how we can enable Developer options menu on OPPO phones.

1. Go to Settings > About Phone.
2. Scroll down to the bottom and you will see Version option.
3. Tap on Version option 7 times and then a toast will be shown saying “You’re now a developer.”
4. To access the Developer options, Go back to Settings > Additional settings > Developer options.

How to Hide/Disable Developer Options on Android?

To turn off Developer options, you can toggle the radio button at the top right corner of Developer options and come back. But for some devices, the toggle button won’t be available. In that case, go back to the Android Settings screen then select Apps > Settings > Storage and Clear Data from the options listed there. The path could be different for different smartphones, but basically you need to clear the data of the Settings app inside the Apps/Applications option in the Settings App.

Conclusion

Clearly, most of the users will have no need for Developer options menu. Also, getting in there and toggling options can really make bad things happen. But on the flip side, it is always good to know what is running under the hood of your device. Hopefully, this article clears your doubts. If you still have some queries, do let us know in the comments below.