Developer Options is hidden on Android until you unlock it from the device build screen. The current Android method is to tap the build number seven times, confirm your screen lock if prompted, and then open the new menu in Settings. Start with the general path, then use the brand-specific path if your phone labels the menus differently.
Turn On Developer Options On Most Android Phones
Use this path first on a regular Android phone or tablet.
- 1.Open Settings.
- 2.Go to About phone or About tablet.
- 3.Open Android Version or Software Information when Build Number is not visible.
- 4.Tap Build Number seven times in quick succession.
- 5.Enter your PIN, Password, or Pattern when prompted.
- 6.Return to Settings and open Developer Options from the main settings menu or System.
Use The Pixel Path
Open Settings.
Tap About phone.
Tap Build number seven times in a row until You’re now a developer appears.
Tap Back.
Open System.
Open Developer options.
Find It On Samsung Galaxy Phones
Samsung places the unlock control under the software screen on current Galaxy phones and tablets. Open Settings, tap About phone or About device, open Software information, and tap Build number seven times.
Enter your Pattern, PIN, or Password when prompted. Open Settings, then open Developer options; on Galaxy devices that place it in the General menu, open Settings, then General, then Developer options.
If this method fails, return to About phone or About device and tap Build number directly.
Open It On Motorola Phones
This fixes the missing Developer options menu on current Motorola Android phones.
Open Settings.
Go to About phone, or open System and then About phone.
Touch Build number seven times.
Touch the Back arrow.
Open System and then Developer options.
Unlock It On Xiaomi And Redmi Phones
Xiaomi and Redmi phones unlock Developer options from OS version or OS/MIUI version rather than Build number. Use the path below that matches the labels shown on your phone.
Open Settings and tap About phone. On models that list it on that screen, such as the REDMI 13C and Xiaomi 14T, tap OS version seven times in a row until the phone says you are now a developer. If OS version is not on that screen, open Detailed info and specs and tap OS/MIUI version repeatedly until the developer prompt appears.
Go back to Settings, open Additional settings, and open Developer options.
Enable It On OnePlus Phones
On OnePlus 5T and later, open Settings, go to About phone, and tap Build number seven times. Stop when You are now a developer! appears.
Return to the previous screen and open Developer options at the bottom.
If this method fails, use the general Android path above and check Android Version or Software Information for Build number.
Check Watches And Android Auto
Wear OS watches have their own Developer options menu. On a Pixel Watch, open Settings, then System, then About, then Versions, and tap Build number seven times.
Enter the watch PIN or Pattern when prompted. Return to Settings and open Developer options.
Samsung's Wear OS watches use a different screen and a different tap count. On a Galaxy Watch, open Settings, tap About watch, open Software information (labeled Software on some models), and tap Software version five times. Developer options then appears in the watch Settings list.
Android Auto uses a separate app-level developer mode, not the phone-wide Android Developer options menu. On Android 10 or higher, open Settings, then Apps & notifications, then See all apps, then Android Auto, then Advanced, then Additional settings in the app. Go to About, tap Version to show version and permission details, tap Version and permission info 10 times, then tap OK in the Allow development settings? dialog.
Turn Developer Options Off Again
Open Settings.
Go to System.
Open Developer options.
Turn off Use developer options.
On Samsung, open Settings, then Developer options, and tap the switch at the top of the screen.
Tip: on Motorola, the off switch is under Settings, then System, then Developer options.
Fix A Work Or School Phone That Blocks It
This fixes a missing or inaccessible Developer options menu on a managed Android device.
Contact the organization that manages the phone.
Ask the administrator to allow developer settings for that device.
After the policy allows developer settings, use the normal on-device Build number steps when Developer options is still hidden.
Consumer settings cannot override a work or school policy that disables developer settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to tap Build number seven times?
Android hides Developer Options by default on current phones and tablets. Tapping the build information seven times unlocks the menu.
Where does Developer Options appear after I enable it?
Open Settings first. If Developer Options is not on the main Settings screen, open Settings > System. On Galaxy devices that use the General menu, open Settings > General > Developer options.
Is Android Auto Developer mode the same thing?
No. Android Auto has its own app-level developer mode. It does not enable the phone-wide Android Developer options menu.
Can I turn Developer Options off later?
Yes. Open Developer options and turn off the main switch. On Pixel, the label is Use developer options.
