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How to turn on Developer options on a Samsung Galaxy

By Updated 14 November 20264 min read

Devices: Galaxy S26 (One UI 9.0) and Galaxy A57 5G (One UI 8.5) · Checked November 2026

Real screenshot · Galaxy S26, One UI 9.0

In short

Open Settings, About phone, Software information and tap Build number seven times. Enter your PIN or pattern if asked. Developer options then appears at the very bottom of Settings. Turn it off again with the switch at the top of that page.

It does feel a bit odd that Samsung hides a whole menu behind a build number. Developer options holds settings meant for app testing, such as USB debugging and animation speeds. Samsung says most customers don't normally need these settings, so do not change settings you do not recognise.

Is it safe to turn on Developer options? Showing the menu changes nothing by itself; each setting inside only changes when you change it. Samsung says the menu is for people familiar with Android app development, does not support its use and warns it may affect performance. Change only the one setting you came for, and hide the menu again with the switch at the top of Developer options.

6 of 6 steps show a real screenshot from our Galaxy S26 (One UI 9.0) and Galaxy A57 5G (One UI 8.5).

Steps

0 of 6 steps
  1. 1

    Open About phone

    Open Settings and scroll to the bottom. Tap About phone.

    Android screenshot: Open About phone
  2. 2

    Tap Software information

    It is at the bottom of About phone.

    Android screenshot: Tap Software information
  3. 3

    Check your version while you are here

    The page shows the One UI and Android version. Ours: One UI 8.5, Android 16 on the Galaxy A57; One UI 9.0, Android 17 on the Galaxy S26.

    Android screenshot: Check your version while you are here
  4. 4

    Tap Build number seven times

    Build number is near the bottom of Software information. After a few taps a counter appears. Enter your PIN or pattern if the phone asks.

    Android screenshot: Tap Build number seven times
  5. 5

    Find Developer options

    Go back to the main Settings list. Developer options is the last entry, below About phone.

    Android screenshot: Find Developer options
  6. 6

    Turn it off again

    Open Developer options. The switch at the top turns the menu off and hides it again. Ours was On, with Memory, Bug report and Stay awake below it; we left it on.

    Android screenshot: Turn it off again

If you do not see this option

If this does not work

  • You want to hide the menu again Samsung says to open Settings, Developer options and turn off the switch at the top.
  • The phone behaves oddly after a change Samsung says it doesn't support people using Developer options, and that they could affect how well the phone runs. Undo the last change you made, or turn the menu off.
  • A computer cannot use USB debugging? USB debugging lets developer tools on a computer talk to the phone. If it is on and still does not work, Samsung's Auto Blocker may be blocking commands over the USB cable; switch it off while you need the connection, and make sure you turn it back on afterwards, because it is there to protect the phone over that same cable.
  • Apps reload every time you switch? Check Don't keep activities. Google says it destroys every activity as soon as you leave the activity's main view. Turn it off unless you are testing an app.

Good to know

To hide the menu again, open Developer options and switch off the switch at the top.

Our version check guide: how to check the One UI and Android version on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Google explains that a lower Window animation scale or Transition animation scale results in a faster animation speed. To learn more about USB protection, see how to turn on Auto Blocker.

Watch these steps

Video thumbnail: How to turn on Developer options on a Samsung GalaxyWatch on YouTubeThe same steps, recorded on our Galaxy S26 · opens YouTube

About this guide

Device
Android
Shown on
Samsung Galaxy S26 (SM-S942N, Korean model), One UI 9.0, Android 17 (build CP2A.260605.016.S942NKSU5BZJB), Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16
App
Settings
Path
Settings › About phone › Software information
Real screenshots
6 of 6 steps
Checked
November 2026
Sources
2 official, linked below

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy S26 with One UI 9.0 and Android 17, apart from step 3, from our Galaxy A57 with One UI 8.5. Google lists Build number at Settings, About phone, Software information on the Galaxy S8 and later. We opened Software information but did not tap Build number. Developer options was already on on our phone, which is why it shows at the bottom of Settings in our pictures.

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