How to Enable Developer Mode on Android

This article explains how to enable the developer mode on Android. These instructions apply to phones running Android 7 and later.

How to Enable Android Developer Mode

Here's how to turn on Android developer mode:

1. Navigate to Settings > About phone.

   On some Android versions, you may have to navigate to Settings > About device, or Settings > About > Software information > More, or something similar.

2. Scroll down until you locate the Build number section.

3. Tap the Build number until you see a message that says You are now a developer!

   You likely will not receive any feedback after the first few taps. Keep tapping and you'll eventually see a message that says, "You are now x steps away from being a developer." Before you can complete the process, your phone may ask you for your PIN.

4. When you see the message that says you are a developer, that means you have successfully turned on developer mode. If you were trying to install or use an app that requires developer mode, you can return to that app and should have access to all of the exclusive developer options.

How to Access Developer Mode Options on Android

In some cases, activating developer mode isn't enough. For instance, if you're trying to spoof your GPS, you need to make additional changes in the developer options menu after you have enabled developer mode. Luckily, you can easily access the developer options menu from the system menu on your phone.

1. Navigate to Settings > Developer options. You may have to search in Settings to find it.

2. With the developer options menu open, you'll have access to information about your phone that you would not otherwise see. You will also have the ability to activate a variety of advanced options.

How to Turn Off Developer Mode on Android

You can safely leave developer mode on, even if you aren't using it for anything. If you decide that you would rather not have developer mode enabled, you can turn it off from the developer options menu:

1. Navigate to Settings > Developer options.

2. Tap the "On" toggle at the top of the Developer options screen. It should change to Off.

What Is Android Developer Mode, and Who Needs It?

Developer mode is designed primarily for Android developers. It reveals options and settings that developers need access to when testing new apps. Average users usually don't have any need to access these options, which is why the mode is turned off by default.

Even though developer mode is designed for developers, it isn't just for developers, and it has uses that extend far beyond app creation and testing.

Enabling developer mode gives you access to a screen recorder, exposes settings to increase animation speeds and boost high-end game performance, and is a prerequisite for rooting your phone or installing a custom operating system.

Even something as simple as spoofing your GPS location, or fooling apps into thinking you're somewhere that you aren't, requires you to enable developer mode. For example, if you want to spoof your GPS in Pokemon Go, you need to enable developer mode.