How to Enable Developer Options, USB Debugging and OEM Unlock on Android

Step By Step Guide to Safely Enable Developer Options, USB Debugging and OEM Unlock on Android. If you are familiar with android and android ecosystem then you may know that Developer Option and USB Debugging play a very vital role while performing any task on android via PC.

Today, let’s see what does the term ‘Open source’ or ‘Freedom to modify’, that we’ve been hearing since the days of Linux. As the heir of Linux, Android has carried the fame along all the way, winning battles against most of the other Smartphone operating systems in the market.

It is the freedom to modify and redistribute without any chains to hold. And, as an end-user (which you are), the gates of freedom open with the developer options. It’s the stepping stones of customization and freedom that has been labelled so far. You wouldn’t see anything like the flexibility these offer in any other OS.

Full Step-By-Step Video Guide

#1 How to Enable Developer Options:

As said earlier, the developer options are the gateway to customization and modding (as we call it). It comes with a lot of options including adjusting how many processes should your CPU handle and the functions of your embedded GPU.

NOTE

We have added newer images (screenshots) to the guide. Below, we have added screenshots of the Pixel 6a running Android 14. But this will be the same for all Android devices running the Vanila version of Android, like Nothing OS, Moto’s My UX, or similar ones. Other manufacturers that have their own skinned versions of Android, like Xiaomi’s (MIUI/HyperOS), Oneplus’s OxygenOS, or Samsung’s One UI, all have the same options but in different locations. Just search, and you will find the options.

To enable developer options, the methods depend on your Android version.

Assuming that you’re not running anything older than Jellybean,

  • Go to Settings
  • Scroll down a bit and find ‘About Phone’. Should be at the bottom of the settings.
  • This will show up many details such as Phone Model, Manufacturer’s Name, Kernel Version, Build Version, etc.
  • Tap on ‘Build Number’ a few times. Usually, it takes about 7 taps.
NOTE

Here’s how you can find the build number or OS version on various smartphones

  • Xiaomi (MIUI)
    • About phone > MIUI version
  • OnePlus, Oppo, Realme (Color OS)
    • About Device > Version > Build Number
  • Vivo, iQOO (FunTouch OS)
    • More settings > About phone > Software Version
  • Google Pixel, Motorola (Stock Android)
    • About phone > Build number
  • Nothing Phone
    • About Phone > Software Info > Build Number
  • Samsung Galaxy (OneUI)
    • About Phone > Software Information > Build Number
  • Nokia
    • About Phone > Build number
  • LG
    • About Phone > Software Info > Build Number
  • Sony
    • About Phone > Build Number
  • HTC
    • About > Software Information > More > Build Number

Build number Pixel

  • A small dialog will flash saying ‘Developer Options Enabled’ or something similar.
  • Now press the ‘Back’ key and you will see that ‘Developer Options’ are added to the Settings.

enable usb debugging and oem unlock on pixel phones 1

  • Tap on it and if the Slide next to ‘Developer Options Enabled’ isn’t in ON position, turn it ON.

Now you can tweak the Developer Options. But beware of the risks that involve. I wouldn’t recommend doing anything here unless you know what you’re doing.

#2 How to Enable USB Debugging (Android Debugging)

As many have often wondered about this Option since the days of first android, the answer is that the USB Debugging is just a mere gate opener for the ADB utility to access your phone. ADB is the most powerful tool when it comes to fixing your device or customizing it with Custom ROMs and Kernels and Scripts. If you are taking the experimental road of rooting and customization, never forget to leave USB debugging enabled.

To enable USB Debugging:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Search for ‘Developer Options’ you have enabled earlier.
  • Inside Developer Options, search for ‘USB Debugging’.
  • Make sure that ‘Enable Developer Options’ were ON; else you wouldn’t be able to do anything.
  • Slide or Tick the box next to USB Debugging.

enable usb debugging and oem unlock on pixel phones 3 Allow usb debugging

  • Now, connect your phone via USB to the PC.
  • There should be USB Debugging listed in the status bar. If it asks for prompt, tap on ‘Always Enable’.

And that’s it! You can access your phone through ADB even when the phone is bricked. A life saver truly!

#3 How to Enable OEM Unlock

After all these years, we are yet to familiarize ourselves with the term ‘OEM’ and it’s extends. That’s not actually my topic to cover but, OEM Unlock is sort of my responsibility.

So, what is this ‘OEM Unlock’ in android device? Well, we haven’t seen that term mention anywhere inside the Android UI till Android 5.0, the Lollipop.

OEM Unlock is the key to locking and unlocking the bootloader of the device. It needs unlocking to modding through flashing ROMs, Kernels, etc. This feature might come pre-checked in some Nexus devices, the children of Google themselves but, not every phone has such privileges. So, let’s take a look at how you can enable the OEM to unlock the easy way and the hard way.

Androids with OEM Unlock option (v5.0 and above):

  • Well, of course we start by opening ‘Settings’.
  • Fetch the recently unlocked ‘Developer Options’. If you haven’t read it and Enable it first.
  • Search for ‘OEM Unlocking’ in the Developer Options. It should be below the ‘Bluetooth HCI’.

Enable USB debugging and Oem unlock

  • And tap on the box right next to it.
  • And that’s it! You can access the bootloader now.

After enabling OEM Unlock, you can unlock bootloader by ADB & Fasboot commands: How To Unlock Bootloader Of Any Android Using Fastboot 

Further tinkering in ADB is risky and I wouldn’t appreciate you blaming me for the damages. So, learn what ADB does and be wise.

Thus, you got all the freedom Linux offers and can customize your phone as you please.

Dibyashree Sharma
Dibyashree Sharma
Dibyashree Sharma graduated in Computer Science from NIT Rourkela. For the past eight years, she has been blogging about Android, which she is really passionate about. She has built a good reputation as a reliable source. Away from the digital sphere, Dibyashree enjoys playing tennis, a sport she is as passionate about as she is about technology.

Comments (2)

  1. I cannot find the OEM unlock tab under developer options on my Note 4 and I feel like that is the key to successfully flashing TWRP recovery on my Note 4 via Odin3

    Reply

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