There is a hidden menu with tools that access additional functionality and capabilities on smartphones with Android-based operating systems.
Although many of these tools are for app development, the common user may not find them useful.
The sections that follow describe how to open, use, and disable the developer options menu on Android devices.
Most phone carriers don’t support these features since they aren’t activated by default, and they warn that doing so might harm your device’s performance and/or battery life.
At your own risk, continue.
What can you do when Developer Options are enabled
Below are some instances of features that are unlocked when Developer Options are turned on.
Depending on the type of your smartphone and the Android version you’re running, you might or might not have access to these settings.
Animation Scales – Modify the length of various UI animations on the device, such as transitions when launching or moving between applications, using the animation scales.
Don’t Keep Activities – When selected, this option will dismiss or terminate any open apps.
This option stops programs from running in the background, but it significantly slows down loading or switching between them.
Disable Absolute Volume – By default, adjusting the audio level on your Android device will also adjust the volume of any Bluetooth devices that are paired with it.
The volume on each may be changed separately using this option.
You may try turning on this option to see if it helps if altering the volume on your Android device creates issues with the Bluetooth device that is connected.
Force Peak Refresh Rate – This option compels the highest refresh rate to be utilized constantly on newer or more advanced Android devices that enable greater display refresh rates.
Please be aware that turning on this feature might shorten the lifespan of your battery, use it at your own risk.
Feature Flags – For some apps, enable or deactivate developer-only or experimental Android functionality.
Enable these features at your own risk because not all of them are documented.
Mobile Data Always Active – If selected, the option keeps your mobile data active even while you are connected to Wi-Fi.
When you need to move between mobile and Wi-Fi data use often, such as while testing an app, this setting makes the transition speedier.
Please be aware that turning on this feature might shorten the lifespan of your battery, use it at your own risk.
Running Services – Similar to Windows Task Manager, Running Services lets you see how much RAM is being utilized by the programs and services that are currently active on the device.
Override Force-Dark — Turn on dark mode in all applications, even those that don’t support it by default.
Select Mock Location App – This option lets you choose an app, like Location Changer, that tricks your smartphone into thinking you are somewhere else while you are truly somewhere else.
This feature can be used to test apps that use location data or for privacy-related reasons.
Standby Apps – Evaluate and modify the limitations Android sets on the resources utilized in the background by standby applications according to how frequently you use them.
Stay Awake – While your Android device is connected or charging, Stay Awake prevents the display from shutting off.
If you want to keep an app under observation without tapping the screen to keep it awake, this option may be helpful.
Show Taps and Pointer Location – If Show Taps is enabled, a little circle indicating the region you touched is drawn on the screen.
A horizontal and vertical line that precisely intersects where you tapped is shown if Pointer Location is enabled.
How to enable the Developer Options menu
Depending on the device you’re using, these instructions can change.
In general, you should search the device’s settings for the Build number selection.
- At the bottom of the screen, swipe upward.
- On an Android smartphone, press the Settings gear icon in your list of applications.
- Choose About phone at the bottom of your scrolling, or something similar on a tablet.
- Find the area under Build number by scrolling down on the following screen.
- To open the Developer Options menu, tap the Build number selection seven times.
How to view the Developer Options
See the preceding step if you haven’t already enabled the developer settings menu on your device.
- At the bottom of the screen, swipe upward.
- On an Android smartphone, press the Settings gear icon in your list of applications.
- Choose System at the bottom of the page.
- Tap the Developer Options choice after scrolling to the bottom of the screen.
How to disable the developer options menu
- At the bottom of the screen, swipe upward.
- On an Android smartphone, press the Settings gear icon in your list of applications.
- Choose System at the bottom of the page.
- Tap the Developer Options choice after scrolling to the bottom of the screen.
- To conceal the developer options menu, press the toggle switch next to Use developer options on the following screen.