How to Enable Developer Options on the Nexus 9

Starting 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 with ease, some advanced options are hidden in the developer options menu, and as a result, some users and devs may want to retrieve them.

Google’s new Android 5.0 tablet was just released to the public earlier this week, and buyers have started receiving pre-orders as of last night. For those who’ve received the new tablet and want to root it or start developing, you’ll need to unlock the developer options menu in settings.

Read: Nexus 6 & Nexus 9 Photos & Details

This isn’t new to Android 5.0 Lollipop or the Nexus 9 but users just getting the flagship smartphone from Google will want to know how, especially if you’re a developer coming over from iOS. 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 video guide below to learn how to enable these options. It only takes a moment, and is quite fun at the same time.

Like Android 4.2 Jelly Bean or Android 4.4 KitKat, the options are hidden to most users on Lollipop, 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 Android 5.0 Lollipop and the Nexus 9. This will work for all Android 4.2 and above devices.

Instructions

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

Settings > About Phone (or tablet) > 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 Google will confirm you’ve unlocked the developer menu. You now have full access to the huge developer options menu, but use caution. These settings are mostly for advanced users, and you could cause the device to act up if you change the wrong things. Here’s a quick video for those curious.

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 or About Tablet. 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 Lollipop that appears and enjoy the Android 5.0 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 this way, 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 6. Don’t forget to check the box to enable OEM unlock, a new setting in Android 5.0 Lollipop.