The Android Settings app includes a screen called “Developer options” that allows you to configure system behaviors that help you create profiles and debug the performance of your application.
In developer mode, you’ll be able to turn on USB debugging, capture a bug report, turn on visual feedback for ring tones, refresh window surfaces, use the GPU to render 2D graphics, and so on. The list of options varies between Android versions.
It is necessary to activate the developer mode to recover files, for example.
What you need to keep in mind is that:
- On Android 4.1 or lower, the Developer options screen is available by default.
- On Android 4.2 or higher, you must enable this screen to do what you need.
How to enable developer mode on Android
- Open the “Settings” application;
- On Android 8.0 or above, select “System”;
- Scroll to the screen and select “About phone”;
- Scroll the screen and touch 7 times on “Build number”.
- Return to the previous screen “Settings” and scroll to the end;
- You should now find the “Developer options”.
In some cell phones, it may be under the name of “Development“, it’s the same thing.
Keep developer options turned on
At the top of the developer screen, you can turn on and off with a key all the options at once. It is recommended, however, to keep all options available.
If you leave the key turned off, most options become dead except those that do not require communication between the device and a computer to work.
Then you should scroll down and activate USB debugging. This allows Android Studio and other SDK tools to recognize your device when USB is connected to your PC and you can use the debugger and other tools.