How to enable USB debugging on Android
USB debugging lets a computer you approve send commands to your phone. Tap Build number seven times to reveal Developer options, switch USB debugging on, then tap Allow on the phone when the computer asks.
Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings > About phone > Software information.
- Tap Build number seven times and enter your PIN. "Developer mode has been turned on" confirms it.
- Go back to Settings, scroll to Developer options and switch USB debugging on.
- Switch Auto Blocker off while you work: it blocks commands sent over a USB cable. Samsung turns it back on by itself after about 30 minutes, so keep that automatic re-enable on. See Samsung Auto Blocker blocks USB debugging.
Google Pixel and stock Android
- Open Settings > About phone and scroll to Build number.
- Tap it seven times and enter your PIN if asked.
- Open Settings > System > Developer options, make sure the switch at the top is on, then switch USB debugging on.
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO
- Open Settings > About phone and tap OS version (HyperOS) or MIUI version seven times.
- Open Settings > Additional settings > Developer options and switch USB debugging on.
- Also switch on USB debugging (Security settings). It may ask you to sign in to a Mi account.
OnePlus, OPPO and realme
- Open Settings > About device > Version and tap Build number seven times.
- Open Settings > Additional settings > Developer options (OxygenOS: Settings > System settings > Developer options).
- Switch USB debugging on.
Connect and allow
Plug in a data cable, open the slimdroid tool in Chrome or Edge, press Connect phone, pick the phone and tap Allow on the phone's "Allow USB debugging?" prompt. Leave "Always allow from this computer" off unless it is your own computer.
Phone not detected?
- Use a data cable: many cheap cables only charge.
- Pull down the notification shade, tap the USB notification and choose File transfer.
- Close other tools that use ADB, or run
adb kill-server, then replug. - On Windows, install your phone maker's USB driver. On Linux you may need udev rules.
- The Allow prompt only appears while a computer is actively connecting, so unlock the screen first.
Switch it off afterwards
USB debugging is a spare key to your phone. When you are done, turn USB debugging off, tap Revoke USB debugging authorizations, and unplug. Never enable it for a website, app or person you do not trust.
Is USB debugging safe?
It is safe while you control it. A computer you have allowed can list and remove apps, install apps and read files, so keep it off when you are not using it and never tick "Always allow" on a shared computer.
Why is USB debugging greyed out?
Developer options may not be fully enabled, or the phone is managed by an employer or school that locks the switch.