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Rain Wiki · Android

Developer options and USB debugging

How to turn on Android developer options, what USB debugging allows, and why to switch it off when you do not need it.

Android · Rain Wiki

Developer options is a hidden Android settings screen for app development and testing. It appears after you tap Build number seven times in Settings > About phone, and it contains USB debugging, which lets a computer with Android Debug Bridge (adb) install apps, read logs and run shell commands on the phone.

Turning it on

Settings > About phone > tap Build number seven times (on some phones it is under Software information) and confirm with your PIN. The new screen appears under Settings > System > Developer options or directly in Settings.

USB debugging

When a computer connects with USB debugging on, the phone asks 'Allow USB debugging?' and shows the computer's RSA key fingerprint. Only computers you allow can use adb.

Other options

Animation scales, Stay awake while charging and default USB configuration are common. Changing options you do not understand can cause instability.

How to turn USB debugging on and off

  1. Open Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times.
  2. Open Developer options and turn on USB debugging.
  3. Connect the computer and allow its key only if it is yours.
  4. When finished, turn USB debugging off, or use 'Revoke USB debugging authorizations'.

Cautions

  • Never allow USB debugging for a computer, charger or kiosk you do not control.
  • Some banking and work apps refuse to run while developer options are on.

Sources

Last updated: 2026-10-08

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