Android phones include a hidden menu called Developer options that unlocks advanced tools like USB debugging, animation controls, and other system-level tweaks. While it’s primarily designed for developers, anyone can enable it in a few taps.
To enable Developer options on Android:
Developer options give you access to features that aren’t available in the standard Android settings. It’s a hidden menu designed mainly for developers, but it has a few settings that may be useful for regular users as well.
These settings include tools for debugging apps, testing features, and adjusting how your phone behaves. For example, you can turn on USB debugging to install a custom ROM, speed up system animations, or force certain visual modes.
The menu is hidden by default to avoid accidental changes, since some options can affect performance or stability if misused. Overall, Developer options matter because they give you more control over your device, whether you want to fix issues, improve performance, or explore advanced features.
The steps below are demonstrated using a Google Pixel 7 Pro running Android 16. The process is largely the same across most Android devices, but the exact menu names and locations may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
Step 1: Open the Settings app and select the About phone option.
Step 2: Find the Build number option and tap it seven times quickly. You should see a pop-up saying “You are X steps away from being a developer.”
Step 3: Enter your PIN or password on the following screen, and you’re done. You’ll see a pop-up saying “You are now a developer.”
Step 4: To access Developer options, head back to the main Settings menu, select System, and you should see it at the bottom of this page.
While the core process remains similar across devices, some Android brands place these options in slightly different locations. If you have a Samsung phone, you’ll find the build number within the Software information option in the About phone menu. Once enabled, Developer options will appear within the General menu in the Settings app.
On OnePlus phones running OxygenOS 16, the build number is listed as Version No., and you can find it by navigating to Settings > About device > Version. Once enabled, Developer options will appear in the System & update menu.
Most Android skins include a built-in search tool in Settings, so if you’re having trouble locating the build number or developer options on your device, you can simply search for them from the main settings page.
Yes, enabling Developer options itself is safe. However, changing certain settings can adversely affect your phone’s performance and may cause apps to misbehave. So, if you’re unsure what a setting does, it’s best to leave it unchanged.
It’s also worth noting that certain banking and finance apps may restrict access if Developer options or features like USB debugging are enabled. In most cases, the app will notify you, and you can regain access by turning Developer options off with a few taps.
Turning Developer options off is much more straightforward than turning it on. If you no longer need it, you can:
After the reboot, the Developer options menu will no longer appear in Settings. Keep in mind that while the menu is turned off, some settings you previously changed may remain active until you manually reset them.
Enabling Developer options on Android is quick, safe, and unlocks a set of powerful tools that go beyond everyday settings. While most users won’t need it regularly, it can be useful for troubleshooting, customization, and squeezing extra performance out of your device.
Not long ago, Apple treated independent repair like an act of outright hostility. The Cupertino giant locked down parts with serial-number pairing, while repair tools remained firmly out of reach of anyone outside its authorized repair network. More importantly, the company waged a legal and lobbying battle against right-to-repair legislation.
I've covered enough of these fights over the years to know what a shift looks like. That's why what happened in October 2026 genuinely caught me off guard. The day the iPhone Duo went on sale, what may be the most mechanically complex iPhone to date, Apple pulled off a surprising about-face. It published teardown-style repair manuals for a handful of major components.
Apple's first foldable phone is now on shelves, in short supply, but with an unreal amount of buzz around it. After all, it's the first foldable iPhone, and there's plenty that this phone gets right. But there's also a lot that is either broken or underwhelming. What's peculiar is the dialogue around this phone, and how it has completely overshadowed every other attempt at making a phone with a similar form factor.
I've spent some time with the iPhone Duo, and I've used the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for almost three months now. In my opinion, Samsung deserves more credit. When the Galaxy Z Fold 8 arrived earlier this year, it was celebrated in some circles and ridiculed in others for supposedly copying what Apple would eventually deliver with the iPhone Duo. The dialogue was pretty odd, for multiple reasons. Samsung has been making foldable phones for years, so claiming that it copied a product Apple hadn't even launched was simply absurd.
For years, Samsung’s Galaxy A phones have been some of the easiest recommendations for anyone who wants to go the Android route without paying flagship prices. But that part of the lineup could soon become harder to find at a good price.
According to South Korea’s Electronic Times, Samsung is cutting Galaxy A production by about 20% in the fourth quarter compared to its original plans. Component orders have reportedly dropped by a similar amount, which could mean roughly 10 million fewer phones over the year. Samsung is also said to be considering another production cut of more than 10% next year.