Developer Options gives you access to tools that let you test software, see how apps work behind the scenes, and troubleshoot problems that regular settings cannot fix
Developer Options is a hidden menu on Android phones, iPhones, and computers that shows you technical information about how your device and apps behave. It is turned off by default because the settings inside can break things if you change them without knowing what you are doing. Turning it on does not automatically change anything — it just unlocks the menu so you can see and adjust those deeper settings if you need them.
The steps to enable Developer Options differ depending on what device you use. On Android, you tap a specific number several times in a hidden location. On iPhone, you go through Settings. On Windows and Mac, the process is different again. This guide walks you through each one.
Key Takeaways
- Developer Options is a hidden menu that appears after you perform a specific action on your device — tapping a build number repeatedly on Android, or going through Settings on iPhone.
- Turning on Developer Options itself does not change how your device works; it only unlocks a menu where you can make changes if you choose to.
- Once enabled, you can see technical details about apps, enable USB debugging to connect to a computer, or turn on performance monitoring tools.
- The steps are different for Android phones, iPhones, Windows computers, and Mac computers — follow the instructions for your specific device type.
How to Enable Developer Options on Android
On Android phones and tablets, Developer Options is hidden under the Build Number setting. To unlock it, you navigate to Settings, find the About Phone section, locate the Build Number, and tap it seven times in a row. After the seventh tap, a message appears saying "You are now a developer." Developer Options then shows up in your Settings menu, usually near the bottom under System or Advanced.
The exact path varies slightly by phone manufacturer. On Samsung phones, go to Settings > About Phone > Software Information > Build Number. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings > About Phone > Build Number. On other brands like OnePlus or Motorola, the path is usually Settings > About Phone > Build Number. Once you find Build Number, tap it seven times without pausing between taps. You will see a countdown: "You are now 6 steps away from being a developer," then 5, then 4, and so on. When you reach zero, the message changes to "You are now a developer."
After that, go back to the main Settings menu. Scroll down to find Developer Options — it usually appears in the System section or under Advanced settings. Open it, and you will see dozens of toggles and options. Leave them all off unless you have a specific reason to change one. Common reasons to use Developer Options include enabling USB debugging (so you can connect your phone to a computer for testing), turning on performance monitoring, or viewing system logs when an app crashes.
How to Enable Developer Options on iPhone
iPhone does not have a Developer Options menu in the same way Android does. Instead, Apple provides developer tools through Xcode, which is a separate process you read on a Mac computer. However, if you want to see some technical information about your iPhone without a computer, you can enable Developer Settings through a different route.
Go to Settings > Privacy > Analytics and turn on "Share iPhone Analytics" and "Improve Siri & Dictation." This does not unlock a Developer Options menu, but it does allow your phone to collect and share technical data. If you are a software developer and need to test apps on your iPhone, you will need to read Xcode on a Mac, connect your iPhone to that Mac with a USB cable, and use Xcode's built-in tools. Xcode is free and available from the Mac App Store.
How to Enable Developer Options on Windows
Windows computers do not have a single "Developer Options" menu like Android does. Instead, Windows has a Developer Mode that you can turn on to unlock certain features. To enable it, go to Settings > Update & Security > For Developers. You will see a section called "Developer Mode" with a toggle switch. Click the toggle to turn it on. Windows will ask you to confirm, and then it will install some developer tools in the background.
Once Developer Mode is on, you can use Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which lets you run Linux commands on your Windows computer. You can also sideload apps (install programs that are not from the Microsoft Store), enable remote desktop connections, and use other technical features. Most of these are not necessary for everyday use, but they are useful if you are learning to code or testing software.
How to Enable Developer Options on Mac
Mac computers do not have a hidden Developer Options menu. Instead, developer tools are available through the Terminal process and through Xcode. If you want to use developer tools on a Mac, open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, typing "Terminal," and pressing Enter). You can then type commands to access system information, install programming languages, or manage software.
For more advanced development work, read Xcode from the Mac App Store. Xcode is Apple's official development environment and includes everything you need to build apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices. It is free but takes a while to read because it is a large file. Once installed, you can connect an iPhone or iPad to your Mac and test apps directly on those devices.
What You Can Do Once Developer Options Is Enabled
The most common use for Developer Options on Android is USB debugging. When you turn this on, you can connect your phone to a computer with a USB cable and use tools like Android Studio (Google's official development software) to test apps, view system logs, or transfer files in ways that the normal file manager does not allow. USB debugging is also required if you want to unlock your phone's bootloader or install a custom version of Android.
Other useful features in Developer Options include Performance Monitoring, which shows you how much memory and processing power apps are using in real time. This helps you see if an app is running slowly because it is poorly written or because your phone is running out of resources. You can also enable Show Touches, which displays a dot on your screen every time you tap it — useful for recording videos of your phone's screen to show someone else how to do something.
On Windows, once Developer Mode is on, you can use Windows Subsystem for Linux to run Linux commands without leaving Windows. This is useful if you are learning to code and want to practice with tools that are more common in professional software development. You can also enable Device Discovery, which lets other computers on your network find your computer more easily.
Why Developer Options Is Hidden by Default
Developer Options is hidden because the settings inside can cause serious problems if you change them without understanding what they do. For example, on Android, you can set the animation speed to 10 times faster or slower, which can make your phone feel broken. You can also enable options that drain your battery much faster, or turn on USB debugging and accidentally give someone else access to your phone's files. Manufacturers hide these settings to protect people who do not need them from accidentally breaking their devices.
Turning on Developer Options itself is completely safe — it just unlocks the menu. The danger comes from changing the individual settings inside. As long as you do not toggle anything you do not recognize, enabling Developer Options will not hurt your device. If you do change something and your phone starts behaving strangely, you can go back into Developer Options and turn that setting off again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning on Developer Options slow down my phone?
No. Enabling Developer Options does not change how your phone works. It only unlocks a menu. Your phone will run at the same speed as before. However, if you turn on certain settings inside Developer Options — like Show Touches or Performance Monitoring — those features will use a small amount of processing power and may make your phone slightly slower.
Can I turn off Developer Options after I enable it?
Yes. On Android, go back to Settings > About Phone > Build Number and tap it seven times again. The message will say "You are no longer a developer," and Developer Options will disappear from your Settings menu. On Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > For Developers and toggle Developer Mode off. Turning it off does not undo any changes you made to individual settings, so if you changed something and want to revert it, you will need to change it back manually.
What is USB debugging and why would I need it?
USB debugging is a feature that lets your phone communicate with a computer through a USB cable in a way that normal file transfer does not allow. Developers use it to test apps they are building, view detailed error messages when apps crash, or install custom software. Most people never need USB debugging. If you are not a developer or do not have a specific reason to use it, leave it turned off.
Is it safe to have Developer Options turned on all the time?
Yes, as long as you do not change any of the individual settings inside. straightforward having the menu available does not put your device at risk. However, if you are not using Developer Options regularly, you can turn it off to reduce clutter in your Settings menu.
Can I enable Developer Options on a work phone or school device?
Technically yes, but you should not do it without permission. Many organizations lock down work devices so that employees cannot access Developer Options or other advanced settings. If you try to enable it on a managed device, you may trigger a security alert that notifies your IT department, or the device may prevent you from doing it altogether. Always check with your organization before attempting to access developer features on a work device.