Originally published on Tutomod.
A complete step-by-step guide to unlocking the hidden Developer Options menu on any Android phone or tablet , plus how to safely enable USB debugging for advanced tools, app testing, and mods.
Updated August 08, 2026, after a fresh review, with updated visuals and links.
Android hides a powerful settings menu called Developer Options. It unlocks features used by app developers, modders, and power users: USB debugging, animation speed control, OEM unlocking, advanced logging, and much more. The good news: enabling it takes less than a minute, works on every Android version, and is completely reversible.
In this tutorial you will learn:
- What Developer Options is and why it is hidden
- How to enable Developer Options on any Android device
- How to turn on USB debugging the safe way
- Common fixes when the option does not appear
Photo by Zain Ali on Pexels
What Are Developer Options?
Developer Options is an advanced settings page built into Android. Google hides it by default because some toggles can change how your phone behaves , useful for testing and customization, confusing for everyday use. Nothing is modified just by unlocking the menu: it only reveals the settings.
| Popular toggle | What it does |
|---|---|
| USB debugging | Lets a computer communicate with your phone (required by ADB, flashing tools, and many mods) |
| Animation scale | Speeds up window/transition animations , makes the phone feel faster |
| OEM unlocking | Allows the bootloader to be unlocked (needed for custom ROMs) |
| Running services | Shows which apps and processes are using memory |
Prerequisites
- Any Android phone or tablet (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel, Motorola, etc.)
- Your screen lock PIN or pattern, if one is set
- About 60 seconds , no computer, root, or special apps required
Step 1 , Open the About Phone Section
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap About phone (on some devices: Settings → System → About phone; on Xiaomi/MIUI it may be called About phone / My device; on Samsung it is directly About phone).
Step 2 , Find the Build Number
- Inside About phone, scroll until you find Build number.
- Samsung: About phone → Software information → Build number
- Xiaomi/MIUI: tap MIUI version instead
- Stock/Pixel: About phone → Build number at the very bottom
Step 3 , Tap the Build Number 7 Times
- Tap Build number rapidly 7 times in a row.
- After a few taps you will see a countdown message: "You are now X steps away from being a developer."
- If asked, enter your PIN, pattern, or password.
- A confirmation appears: "You are now a developer!"
Step 4 , Open Developer Options
- Go back to the main Settings screen.
- Find the new menu:
- Android 9 and newer: Settings → System → Advanced → Developer options
- Samsung (One UI): bottom of the main Settings list
- Older Android: Settings → Developer options directly
Photo by Matthias Zomer on Pexels
Step 5 , Enable USB Debugging (Optional)
USB debugging is the most-used toggle , required for ADB commands, many mod tools, and screen mirroring from a PC.
- Open Developer options.
- Scroll to the Debugging section.
- Turn on USB debugging and confirm the warning dialog.
Safety note: only enable USB debugging while you actually need it, and never accept a debugging prompt from a computer you do not trust. You can revoke all authorized computers with Developer options → Revoke USB debugging authorizations.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Can't find "Build number" | Use the Settings search bar and type "Build number" , it jumps straight to it |
| Developer Options doesn't appear | Restart the phone once; then check Settings → System → Advanced |
| Options are greyed out | Make sure the master switch at the top of Developer Options is ON |
| USB debugging keeps turning off | Some brands (Xiaomi) require a SIM card and being signed in to the manufacturer account |
FAQ
Does enabling Developer Options void my warranty or root my phone?
No. It is an official Android feature. It does not root, modify, or damage anything by itself.
How do I hide the menu again?
Open Developer Options and flip the master switch OFF. To fully hide it, go to Settings → Apps → Settings → Storage → Clear data (this resets the Settings app's data only).
Is it safe to leave USB debugging on?
For daily use, turn it off when you are done. It only accepts connections from computers you explicitly authorize by tapping "Allow" on the phone.
Conclusion
You have unlocked Developer Options and (optionally) enabled USB debugging , the gateway to ADB tools, faster animations, custom ROMs, and countless mods. In our next tutorials we will put this menu to work with real step-by-step projects. Bookmark Tutomod and stay tuned!
Top comments (0)