The Android phones have a secret system configuration area that provides enhanced device control through multiple alternative features beyond basic settings. Users cannot access the developer options through standard phone settings since Android hides this feature to protect regular users from unintentionally misconfiguring their phones.
Start by accessing the developer options from most phones through the settings menu followed by "About phone" and software information to reach the version number then click it 7 times consecutively for the developer options to become available along with the message "You are now a developer".
When you access the developer option through Settings you will discover several options without clear meaning which we will demonstrate ten essential ones that reformulate user experience.
USB debugging
Every Android developer should enable USB debugging because it serves as their initial developer option from the Developer Options settings. Your device will achieve elevated access through this option which serves developers well for both testing and bug detection.
Using ADB enables you to execute difficult commands in addition to extracting error logs and directly installing applications and diverse other functions.
Prior to Android's newer version release the only debugging option was through USB connectivity. Current versions of Android let you execute ADB commands via a wireless connection using Wi-Fi.
Default USB setting
When you attach your Android phone to your computer for transferring files and photos the device automatically starts charging although it does not perform other functions. A solution for this problem exists within the Developer Options default USB setting. Through the Developer Options setting you can choose between different modes to connect your phone to your computer which include directory transfer together with photo exchange and USB limitations as well as phone charging capabilities. The option functions as intended only during unlocked phone situations when connected to an endorsed computer system.
Adjust animation speed
The system animations in Android occur as you open apps and switch between them but they remain invisible on quick devices. The three adjustable settings for windows and transition animations and duration lengths are available to users.
A selection will present you with multiple adjustable values. Measure the value because faster speeds exist at lower numbers while slower speeds emerge from higher numbers. The smartphone will appear more responsive when you use the "x0.5" value.
The speed-up animations will disappear between applications whenever your device meets performance limitations but returning them to standard settings best resolves performance issues when your smartphone seems sluggish.
Show refresh rate
Your present-day Android smartphone combines quick refresh rate monitors with automatic rate adaptations according to your video consumption to improve both power management and visual experience.
A developer or hobbyist might be interested to determine the screen refresh rate on their mobile phone when using streaming services or specific applications. The developer options allows you to access "Show refresh rate" for viewing your device's refresh rate through an indicator at the upper left corner.
You can activate Force Max Refresh Rate for speedier movements yet this setting decreases your phone's battery performance by instructing maximum refresh rate display usage.
Phone data is always active.
The automatic network switching function through mobile data affects overall battery performance yet provides convenient network transition for frequent users of multiple networks.
Most Android phones activate this feature to maintain continuous phone-Wi-Fi transitions while decreasing battery efficiency. No reason exists to activate this option because your network consists solely of Wi-Fi.
Services are running
Through "Running Services" users find a similar utility to their computer's task manager for monitoring active services and processes as well as memory consumption status. Thus users can end unneeded processes on the device.
Force dark mode
Android users including technology enthusiasts widely embrace the dark mode update as one of its best recent releases until some applications lacked dark mode support resulting in user discontent with light mode applications among their dark theme lineup.
Through the Android developer option "Force Dark Mode" users can enable mode in applications regardless of full support but sometimes the text becomes difficult to read after activating it.
Show bluetooth devices without names
Times occur in which your phone will not identify a Bluetooth device you attempt to connect. The absence of a Bluetooth device name stands as one cause behind this detection issue. The operating system disables the listing of devices that lack naming information. The display of Bluetooth devices without names becomes possible through enabling the "Show Bluetooth devices without names" option which presents physical addresses (MAC Address) from devices without names. Showing Bluetooth devices with or without names becomes possible through this setting during different Bluetooth gadget use.
Turn off absolute volume
On your Android phone the Bluetooth automatic volume function operates by default yet this standard approach might produce connection issues with select Bluetooth devices.
When you activate the “Absolute Volume Off” function your phone volume operates independently from your Bluetooth device volume settings because this option fixes volume issues in cases where your phone and Bluetooth device do not share a common volume connection. The activation of this option might require you to disconnect your Bluetooth device followed by reconnecting it and potentially causing you to restart your phone to activate the new mode.
Not keeping activities
As an app developer you should enable the "Don't keep activities" setting because Android will destroy each app's processes when you exit it thus allowing you to test different operating conditions.
Avoid leveraging this feature to boost your phone memory since constant process terminations reduce Android performance in present-day systems.
People who do not identify as developers or technology enthusiasts will find no practical value in the additional developer options beyond the 10 settings we have discussed. Google enables developers to access valuable tools that reduce their workload at the job.
