Connect with us

Android

How to Enable Developer Options on the Nexus 5 & KitKat

Published

on

With Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Google hid the Developer Options menu so average smartphone and tablet users wouldn’t accidentally cause any problems on their device. While most normal settings can be found for daily tasks, some advanced options are hidden in the developer options menu, and as a result, some users and devs may want to retrieve them.

This isn’t new to Android 4.4 KitKat or the Nexus 5, but users just getting the flagship smartphone by Google will want to know how. If you plan to install 3rd party custom ROMs or kernels, or do anything that will require developer access and USB debugging, check out the quick guide below to learn how to enable these options. It only takes a moment, and is quite fun at the same time.

Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 3.52.46 PM

Like Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and above, the options are hidden to most users, but a quick (seven) taps of the finger on a specific place in the settings menu will unlock such features. It’s an odd approach, but Google likes having fun with things, as you all know. So here’s how to enable the developer menu on KitKat.

Instructions

It’s actually extremely easy and users will want to follow the simple rules outlined below step for step to get these readily available to you.

Settings > About Phone > Build number (Tap the build number 7 times, you’ll get a prompt as it gets close.) And that’s it. It is that easy, and you’re now a developer and have full access to the huge developer options menu, but use caution.

Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 3.51.58 PM

To be more precise, users will need to find the gear-shaped settings icon and tap that, then scroll to the bottom and select About Phone. From here you’ll scroll to the bottom once again where you’ll see “build number” and this is key. Just start tapping away with your finger and it will quickly unlock the developer menu.

Then, for those who aren’t seasoned developers or Android users, go ahead and do the same multiple taps on the Android Version for some fun. Then long press the K that appears and enjoy the Android 4.4 KitKat Easter Egg. Something Google’s added to every version of Android since I can remember.

Yes it’s extremely odd to hide something such as developer options in such a manor, but any developer needing access could quickly figure this out from a Google search or the developer help menu on Android.com. There’s plenty of issues a regular user could cause from here, so we understand the reason. That’s it. Now enable USB debugging and start hacking that new Nexus 5.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. None

    12/02/2013 at 6:59 pm

    What kind of manor are you hiding your secrets? One set deep in a forest, or on the edge of the ocean cliffs? :-P (In your last paragraph, the word should be “manner.”)

    • Richard

      12/06/2013 at 7:50 pm

      Well put lol. To the manner born

  2. Ganesh Katikar

    01/31/2014 at 4:16 am

    I follow, all the steps correctly, but still My Nexus 5 mobile not connected in eclipse. i.e. not detected in eclipse.

  3. Tom

    03/01/2014 at 12:16 pm

    Thanks! That is kind of cool that they had the Developers Option hidden at first. And even more cool that it was easy to un-hide the option.

  4. Cory Gunther

    03/26/2014 at 11:01 am

    Ganesh, to do that you need to enable USB debugging. Completely different thing.

  5. Jimmy Walt

    05/04/2014 at 12:37 am

    just as the setting when android 4.2 came, here is a video for galaxy s4

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4geZOSXzO8

  6. Apurba Majumder

    06/20/2014 at 2:49 am

    i am just now… update my nexus 5 so version is 4.4.3 and i using runtime art

  7. bpalop

    07/11/2014 at 9:11 am

    Thanks!!!! You saved my day!

  8. SiD

    08/28/2014 at 4:04 pm

    Thanks.. Its worked :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.