You may have come across the term USB debugging mode while searching for solutions to problems on your Android device. However, USB debugging mode is not readily available on your Android device and needs to be enabled. Below are the steps to enable USB debugging mode on your Android phone or tablet.
USB debugging mode in Android devices
The main function of USB debugging mode is to create a direct connection between an Android device and a computer that has the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) installed.
App developers program their apps on a computer using the Android SDK and use USB debugging mode to transfer their apps to an Android device for testing.
While USB debugging mode is primarily intended for developers, it’s also an important step for non-development activities like rooting an Android device, installing custom ROMs, or running terminal commands from a computer to create a restore bricked android device.
Enable USB debugging mode on Android phone
As mentioned above, USB debugging mode is not readily available on your Android phone or tablet. It has to be specifically activated by first enabling the developer options on your Android device and then accessing the USB debugging that will be available as one of the many tools under the developer options.
Follow the steps below to enable developer options on your Android device first and then enter and enable USB debugging mode on your Android phone or tablet.
1. On the home screen of your Android phone or tablet, tap settings.
2. On the Settings screen, scroll down and tap Via phone (or About Device) option (see image below).
Note: The equivalent tab for “About device” on HTC and LG phones is “Software information”.
3. On the About Phone (or About Device) screen, scroll down to build number Possibility.
4. Start typing now build numberuntil you see a pop-up saying “You are X steps away from being a developer”.
Note: For Xiaomi phones, tap on “MIUI version” instead of Build number.
5. Keep tapping build number until you see the “You are now a developer” popup. On most Android phones, you need about 7 taps to become a developer.
6. After becoming a developer, go back to the settings screen by tapping back button (See image below)
7. Back on the Settings screen, scroll down and tap developer options.
Note: On some Android phones, you need to tap settings > Additional settings to access developer options (see image below).
8th. On the Developer Options screen, scroll down to the Debugging section and enable USB debugging on your Android phone by moving the slider next to it USB debugging to ON position (see image below).
Disable USB debugging mode
USB debugging mode provides a high level of access to your Android device and it is a security risk to always leave this option enabled on your Android phone or tablet.
For example, the USB port can access your phone’s data or install malware while trying to charge your phone by plugging it into a USB charging port in a public place.
So, make sure to turn off the USB debugging option on your Android phone or tablet once you’re done with it.
1. Tap on settings
2. Next, scroll down and tap developer options.
Note: On some Android phones, you need to tap settings > Additional settings to access developer options.
3. On the Developer Options screen, turn off USB debugging mode by moving the slider to OUT Position.
If necessary, you can completely remove the USB debugging option from your device by removing the developer options from the settings menu on your Android phone.
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