Developer options · Settings guide
How to turn Developer options on or off on Android
Sources checked · how we check
Developer options is hidden on Android 4.2 and higher until you unlock it by tapping Build number seven times. Google documents the toggle that switches the options off, but not a way to hide the screen again.
01 · Before you start
Check these first
- Google says the Developer options screen is available by default on Android 4.1 and lower, and that on Android 4.2 and higher you must enable it.
- Build number sits in a different place on each phone, so use the path below for your brand.
- These steps are Google's Android documentation for connecting a device to Android Studio. That is the document that publishes the menu paths; your phone's maker may describe its own menus differently.
02 · Change the setting
Step by step, by device
Turn Developer options on
About phone → Build number → tap seven times
- Open Settings and find Build number. Google gives Settings → About phone → Build number on a Google Pixel; Settings → About phone → Software information → Build number on a Samsung Galaxy S8 and later; Settings → About phone → Software info → Build number on an LG G6 and later; and Settings → About phone → Build number on a OnePlus 5T and later.
- Tap Build number seven times, until you see the message "You are now a developer!"
- Return to the previous screen. Developer options is at the bottom.
On an HTC U11 and later, Google gives Settings → About → Software information → More → Build number, or Settings → System → About phone → Software information → More → Build number. On a Google Pixel Watch it is Settings → System → About → Versions → Build number.
Turn Developer options off
Developer options → the toggle at the top of the screen
- Open Developer options.
- Use the toggle at the top of the screen to turn the options off.
Google says that when it is off, most options are disabled except those that don't require communication between the device and your development computer. Google's documentation does not give a way to hide the Developer options screen again once it has appeared, so this page does not publish one.
Find USB debugging
Developer options → USB debugging
- On Android 9 and higher, open Settings → System → Advanced → Developer Options → USB debugging.
- On Android 8.0.0 and Android 8.1.0, open Settings → System → Developer Options → USB debugging.
- On Android 7.1 and lower, open Settings → Developer Options → USB debugging.
- On Wear OS 6 and higher the setting is called ADB debugging: Settings → Developer options → ADB debugging.
Find wireless debugging
Settings → System → Developer options → Wireless debugging
- On Android 16 and higher, open Settings → System → Developer options → Wireless debugging.
- On Wear OS 6 and higher, open Settings → Developer options → Wireless debugging.
If the setting doesn't change
If Developer options isn't at the bottom of the screen, the seven taps didn't land on Build number itself. On a Samsung or an LG, Build number sits inside Software information or Software info, one level below About phone, rather than on the About phone screen. Google's step is to keep tapping until the message "You are now a developer!" appears.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn off developer mode on Android?
Open Developer options and use the toggle at the top of the screen. Google says most options are then disabled, except the ones that don't need communication between the device and a development computer.
How do I hide Developer options completely?
Google's documentation covers turning the options off, not removing the menu, and gives no way to hide the screen again once it has been enabled. For that, ask your phone's maker rather than following a method nobody publishes.
Why can't I find Developer options on my phone?
On Android 4.2 and higher it stays hidden until you enable it. Tap Build number seven times until "You are now a developer!" appears, then look at the bottom of the previous screen.
Where is USB debugging on Android?
Inside Developer options. On Android 9 and higher it is Settings → System → Advanced → Developer Options → USB debugging; on Android 7.1 and lower it is Settings → Developer Options → USB debugging.