Developer Mode lets you run custom software and bypass some built-in protections
Developer Mode is a special state on a Chromebook that removes some of Chrome OS's automatic security features so you can install and run programs that aren't from the Chrome Web Store. It also lets you access the command line and modify system files. Turning it on is straightforward, but it makes your device less find by default — Chrome OS will warn you every time you start up, and some features like automatic updates pause while you're in Developer Mode.
You should only enable Developer Mode if you actually need to run custom software or test code. For most people, the standard Chromebook experience is safer and simpler. If you're coming from the device security guide, Developer Mode is the opposite direction: it opens your device up rather than locking it down.
Key Takeaways
- Turning on Developer Mode erases everything on your Chromebook, so back up any files you need before you start.
- The process involves holding Escape and Refresh, then pressing Power, which takes you to a recovery screen where you choose to enable Developer Mode.
- Your Chromebook will show a warning screen every time it boots up while in Developer Mode, and you'll need to press Ctrl+D to continue starting up.
- You can turn Developer Mode off the same way you turned it on, which will erase your device again and restore normal Chrome OS protections.
- Some Chromebooks managed by a school or workplace cannot enter Developer Mode because the administrator has locked that setting.
What happens when you enable Developer Mode
Enabling Developer Mode wipes your Chromebook completely — all files, apps, and settings disappear. Chrome OS then reinstalls itself in a less restricted state. This is why the first step is always to back up anything you want to keep: photos, documents, downloads, everything. If you use Google Drive or Google Photos, those files stay in your account and you can read them after the wipe. Local files stored only on your device are gone.
Once Developer Mode is on, your Chromebook will display a warning screen every time it starts up. The screen says "Chrome OS is missing or damaged" and gives you 30 seconds to press Ctrl+D to continue, or it will automatically boot into recovery mode. This is normal — it's not actually damaged. The warning appears because Chrome OS detects that you've modified the system.
While in Developer Mode, automatic updates pause. Chrome OS will not install security patches or new versions of the operating system until you turn Developer Mode off. This means your device becomes less protected over time as new security issues are discovered. For this reason, you should only stay in Developer Mode as long as you need to.
How to turn on Developer Mode step by step
Start by backing up everything you need. Sign into your Google account, make sure any important files are in Google Drive or Google Photos, and read anything else you want to keep to an external drive or cloud storage.
Once you've backed up, hold down the Escape key and the Refresh key (the circular arrow button) at the same time, then press the Power button. Keep holding Escape and Refresh until the Chromebook restarts and shows the recovery screen. This usually takes 10 to 15 seconds.
On the recovery screen, you'll see a message that says "Chrome OS is missing or damaged." Press Ctrl+D. A new screen will appear asking if you want to turn on Developer Mode. Press Enter or click the button to confirm. Your Chromebook will restart and begin wiping and reinstalling Chrome OS. This process takes 5 to 10 minutes. Do not turn off your device during this time.
When the wipe is complete, your Chromebook will boot up and show the warning screen again. Press Ctrl+D to continue past it. You'll then go through the normal Chromebook setup: connect to Wi-Fi, sign in with your Google account, and choose your settings. Your device is now in Developer Mode.
Accessing the command line and shell
Once Developer Mode is on, you can open a command-line interface called crosh by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T. A terminal window opens where you can type commands. From crosh, you can type shell to enter the full Linux shell, which gives you access to the underlying system files and lets you run custom programs.
The shell is powerful but also dangerous — you can accidentally delete system files or break your Chromebook if you run the wrong commands. Only use the shell if you know what you're doing or you're following specific instructions from a developer guide or tutorial. If something goes wrong, you can always wipe your device and start over by going through the Developer Mode setup again.
Installing and running custom software
Developer Mode lets you install programs that aren't available in the Chrome Web Store. Common tools include Linux applications, programming environments like Python or Node.js, and custom builds of open-source software. You install these through the shell using package managers like apt or by downloading files directly.
The exact steps depend on what software you want to run. If you're following a tutorial or guide for a specific program, it will tell you the commands to type. Start by opening crosh with Ctrl+Alt+T, type shell, and then follow the instructions in your guide. Keep in mind that anything you install is your responsibility — Chrome OS won't update it or provide support for it.
Turning off Developer Mode and returning to normal
To turn Developer Mode off and restore your Chromebook to its standard state, hold Escape and Refresh again and press Power. When the recovery screen appears, press Ctrl+D as usual, but this time look for an option to turn off Developer Mode or return to normal mode. The exact wording varies by Chromebook model, but the button is usually on the recovery screen.
Turning off Developer Mode also wipes your device completely, just like turning it on did. Back up anything you want to keep before you start. After the wipe and reinstall, your Chromebook will boot normally without the warning screen, automatic updates will resume, and Chrome OS will be back to its standard security state.
When you can't enable Developer Mode
If your Chromebook is managed by a school, workplace, or organization, the administrator may have locked Developer Mode so you cannot turn it on. Managed Chromebooks show this restriction in Settings under About Chrome OS — there will be a note that Developer Mode is not available. This is a deliberate security choice by the organization that owns the device.
If you own the device personally but it's enrolled in a managed account, you can unenroll it first. Go to Settings, click About Chrome OS, and look for an option to unenroll or remove the device from management. You'll need the administrator's password or permission. Once unenrolled, you can then enable Developer Mode. After unenrolling, the device is no longer managed and you're responsible for all security and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my Google account and files if I enable Developer Mode?
Your Google account stays the same, and anything stored in Google Drive or Google Photos remains accessible. Local files on your Chromebook — downloads, documents saved only to the device, photos not backed up — will be erased. Always back up to Google Drive or an external drive before enabling Developer Mode.
Can I use Developer Mode and still get security updates?
No. Automatic updates pause while Developer Mode is on. You should turn Developer Mode off as soon as you're done using it so your device can receive security patches again. The longer you stay in Developer Mode, the more vulnerable your Chromebook becomes to new security issues.
What if I mess up the shell and break something?
You can always wipe your device and start fresh by going through the Developer Mode setup again. There's no permanent damage you can do that can't be fixed by reinstalling Chrome OS. If you're nervous about breaking things, write down the commands you're about to run and double-check them before pressing Enter.
Can I switch between Developer Mode and normal mode without wiping?
No. Turning Developer Mode on or off always erases your device completely. This is by design — Chrome OS treats the two states as fundamentally different and doesn't try to preserve data when switching between them. Plan accordingly and back up before you make the change.
Do I need Developer Mode just to use the Chrome Web Store?
No. The Chrome Web Store works in normal mode. Developer Mode is only for running software that isn't available through the store. If you just want to use regular Chrome apps and extensions, you don't need Developer Mode at all.