Common mistakes after enabling developer options on Android devices

Developer Options on Android devices – are a hidden settings pack that allows running the OS and its processes in a broad and flexible manner. 

In most cases, developer options are used only by technologically savvy specialists – programmers, analysts, service technicians, and testers. However, it will also be helpful for the typical user to discover some of the hidden functions of this OS. For example, the following useful options can be distinguished:

• USB debugging; 
• change of the limit of background processes;
• display of the applications run in terms of memory usage;
• forming the bug report in two options;
• forced launch of an application in the split-mode;
• improving the quality of graphics in games by turning on 4x MSAA;
• setting the password for a backup;
• setting fake locations with the help of special programs; 
• choosing and changing the default program for every type of file;
• correcting the screen color for people with the violation of color perception;
• changing the speed and duration of the window/application animation, etc.

It is obvious that the more specific and significant changes can be made in the program part of the device, the better the place of the given regulation is hidden. That is why the OS Android creators have not made the simple developer mode on/off slider but created a non-trivial solution.

To display the hidden developer options, go to the «Settings» section, find and tap the «Information about the device»/«About phone» button (depending on the device model). Then, in the open section, find the «Software Information» item and the «Build number» one and tap on it 7 times in a row with a minimum interval. In the tapping process, a message is displayed on the screen about how many touches still need to be done. In some devices, the System asks to input the predefined keys to unlock the device (PIN-code, number, or graphic password). As a result of the actions, the message will appear that the developer options are activated successfully.

Enabling developer options on Android devices

Active developer options should appear as an additional item in the settings list. This mode can be located in different directories on every device model and its version. For example, for Android 11, open the settings menu and find the «Developer options» subsection. Here, you can find the opened functions. 

The location of the developer mode item

Nevertheless, there are situations when the developer options are not displayed in the settings section even after performing all the manipulations. Among the possible reasons, the developer item may be activated, but it isn't easy to find due to the differences\complexity in the hierarchical structure of the device menu. Often we can find this problem in the unpopular telephone models. To solve this problem, besides studying every menu section, it is possible to install the creating shortcuts program such as «QuickShortcutMaker», «Simple Shortcuts», «Shortcut Maker», and others.

There is also a typical case when there is a request for a password during the developer mode enabling when the user has not set any passwords, nor graphic no usual. Then, you can try to input the PIN code or the standard «zero» password (4 or 8 zeroes).

There is one more widespread problem in activating the developer options. In addition to activating the mode, you need to enable it with the slider in the upper-right corner in the «For developers» item. This problem occurs due to the user's inattention to activated items.

In addition, one of the nuances is when enabling the developer options, the message about the successful activation isn't displayed to the user after performing all the necessary actions. So, in this case, it is essential to check whether the developer options are successfully displayed and whether the problem is in the message of the action result. There is another option: a mistake or the algorithm is slightly different. For example, Xiaomi devices need a tap area – the «MIUI Version» item in the «About phone» section.

Performing all the essential manipulation, we often need to turn the developer mode off. For example, in most devices on the OC Android,  we should move the slider in the inactive position (picture 3).

Disabling developer options on Android

It is worth noting that this action disables the mode but does not completely hide it from the device. Most often, hiding the settings for developers is achieved only by completely clearing the data of the user settings. To do this, you need to go to the «Apps» section and open «Settings» in the list of all applications. In the window, you should find the «Storage» item, open it and erase the data by clicking on the «Clear data» button (picture 4).

The process of deactivating developer mode on an Android device

After clearing the data, the Settings app will turn on again and the developer mode will no longer appear among the items.

In rare cases, the process of disabling settings for developers is also accompanied by certain issues. For example, on some Samsung devices, there is no option to delete application settings data. In this case, only resetting the device to factory settings will help. After resetting, you must make a backup copy of the data required to save important information.

Sometimes there is a situation when it is possible to hide the developer mode, but the changes made using its functionality continue to take effect. In this case, you need to re-enable the developer mode, manually return the changed settings to standard indicators, and only then turn off the developer mode again by clearing the data of the «Settings» application.

In general, it is not difficult to turn on or off the developer modes if you carefully study the algorithm of actions and familiarize yourself with the most common peculiarities of the process. In addition, the very process of interaction with the settings of the «Developer options» section is not difficult. Still, it requires studying each variable parameter and paying attention to each element that can be set.