To turn off Developer Options on Android, open the Developer options screen in Settings and flip the switch at the top to off. That disables the advanced settings. The menu itself stays in your list until you choose to hide it, and this guide covers both steps on Pixel, Samsung and other phones, plus how to turn everything back on if you change your mind.
What Developer Options is
Developer options is a hidden Android menu with settings meant for people who build and test apps. According to Google’s Android documentation, on Android 4.2 and higher it only shows up after a specific gesture: tapping Build number seven times until you see “You are now a developer!” The exact name of that setting can differ a little by brand.
People who unlock the menu for a one-off task often forget to turn things off afterward. Leaving the menu visible is not a problem by itself, but it makes sense to switch off what you do not use.
Step 1: turn off the Developer options switch
The path varies by phone, but the idea is the same:
- Open Settings.
- On a Pixel and other near-stock Android phones, go to System and tap Developer options. On a Samsung Galaxy, tap Developer options straight from the main Settings list.
- At the top of the screen, tap the switch to turn it off.
When the switch is off, most options in the menu are disabled, according to Google’s documentation. Only the ones that do not need communication between the phone and a development computer keep working. Not every manufacturer includes this switch, and when it is missing, the next step matters even more.
Step 2: turn off USB debugging
USB debugging deserves the most attention. It lets a computer talk to your phone through Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool used to install and test apps, read system logs and even pull files off a phone with a broken screen. To turn it off:
- In Developer options, scroll to the Debugging section.
- Switch off USB debugging. Per Google’s documentation, on Android 9 and higher it lives at Settings > System > Advanced > Developer options.
- Optional: tap Revoke USB debugging authorizations. That clears the list of computers you have trusted.
Why bother? SlashGear explains that, in theory, someone with your phone and a cable could try to get around the lock screen if debugging were on. Android lowers that risk by asking you to authorize each new computer, and that prompt cannot be approved from the lock screen. Still, the risk is not zero, and the same article lists public USB ports, such as charging kiosks, as another concern. SlashGear also says debugging is off by default and turns itself off after a reboot.
On Android 16 and higher there is also Wireless debugging, at Settings > System > Developer options. If you do not use it, leave it off.
Step 3: hide the menu, if you want to
Turning off the switch does not remove the Developer options item from the list. If you want it gone, Appuals describes a method that clears the Settings app’s data:
- Open Settings and go to Apps (on a Samsung, the path may run through Apps > Settings).
- Set the filter to show all apps and tap Settings.
- Tap Storage, then Clear data, and confirm.
- Check whether the menu is gone. If it is still there, restart the phone and look again.
A heads-up: a reader comment on the Appuals article says this resets settings such as screen brightness and auto-rotate, so you will have to set them up again. Because the source is a tips site rather than the manufacturer’s documentation, results may vary from model to model. Try it only if the menu really bothers you.
There is one last resort, a factory reset, which also hides the menu. It erases personal data and apps and is only worth it in extreme cases, after a backup. For most people, it is overkill.
How to turn it back on
If you hide the menu and need it later, open Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times. On a Pixel that is the path; on a Samsung Galaxy S8 or later it runs through About phone > Software information. Google’s documentation lists similar paths for LG, HTC and OnePlus phones.
While you are in Settings, our guide on making your phone battery last longer covers other useful tweaks, and our walkthrough on blocking spam calls is a good next stop.
Frequently asked questions
Does turning off Developer Options erase my data?
No. Flipping the switch only disables the advanced options. Clearing the Settings app’s data (which resets some settings) and a factory reset (which wipes everything) are separate steps.
The menu still shows up after I turned the switch off. Is something wrong?
No. The switch disables the options, but the item stays in the list. Only the hide-the-menu step above removes it.
Do I need Developer Options to use my phone normally?
No. It is meant for developers and advanced tweaks. If you just use your phone day to day, you can leave it off.
What does the revoke button for USB debugging authorizations do?
It clears the list of computers you have trusted. The next time a computer tries to use debugging, Android will ask for your authorization again.
