How To Enable USB Debugging On Your Android Phone
Learning how to enable USB debugging mode is critical if you want to do anything useful with your Android Mobile Phone. This tutorial explains how to do it.
Are you interested in creating Android Apps, or maybe just running home diagnostics on your device? If so, one of the first things you’ll want to do is connect your phone to your computer. But to do this, it requires that you set up your phone and enable USB debugging mode accordingly. Let’s enable Debug Mode.
Note: Every manufacturer of Android devices varies. This article was written in 2010 and some things have changed but this should give you an idea of what to look out for.
Debugging Mode for Android
When paired with a computer running Android SDK (or another diagnostic program), Debug Mode can allow you to pull up all sorts of useful information about your phone. In the screenshot below I’m using the DDMS tool from the Android SDK to monitor where RAM is being used on my Samsung Galaxy S Android phone. But this is just one example of what you can do!
Enable USB Debugging Mode On Your Android Mobile Phone Device
Newer versions of Android (4.0+)
Step 1
Launch the Settings app on your phone. This app can be found in your App Drawer, or by pressing the menu button on the outside of your device.
Step 2
In the Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0+) or a newer version of the Android OS, the System USB Debugging is now located under Developer Options > Android Debugging.
Done! That’s all there is to enable USB debugging in the new version of Android.
Older versions of Android
The same as above, except after entering the Settings menu you’ll need to enter Applications options.
Next tap Development.
Check the box for USB debugging.
You can also Enable, Stay Awake, and Allow mock locations to make things easier when you are running tests.
Done
Your phone should now be in Debug Mode. If you go into the notification bar, you’ll find an Ongoing alert stating USB debugging connected. Note that even while USB debug mode is enabled you can still Mount your Android phone to your computer to transfer files without causing any problems!
79 Comments
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android-man
September 17, 2010 at 11:44 am
Awesome – Is there a simple way to backup your phone this way also?
Steeve
August 26, 2013 at 3:47 pm
Thanks man totally worked!!
James
December 13, 2013 at 5:55 am
Yes, if your phone is rooted, Titanium Backup Pro is by far the best backup utility out there
Vasudev
May 27, 2014 at 7:02 am
Thank you, awesome it is so simple super.
mac
August 1, 2014 at 10:44 am
hello there…!!1
i need to know if there is other ways that makes my android phone get in to hard reset mode because the three combination key wont work for me and i even tried to connect to mobogenie but how could i enable usb debug mode please help…..!1??
unknown
October 7, 2010 at 8:07 am
Thank you so much! Was really helpful;-)
Tanny
December 6, 2010 at 8:26 am
i am locked out and cannot enable debbuging. not linked with google account and have no 3 button combi. “/ HEEEEEEEEEELPPPP need to master reset but adb wont connect to device, odin connects but hangs at file analysis. newB but im sure ive done EVERYTHING
constantynae
January 11, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@tanny I have the exact same problem, did you manage to do anything? Send me a reply pls if you found any solution. Any help would be appreciated
Tanny
January 12, 2011 at 1:55 am
YES! i have my galaxy S working perfectly now :) Go to youtube and Search Galaxy usb jig. when in download mode odin WILL flash but i just chose to reset. the youtube video does no justice for how fiddly the thing is to make, but it does work so be patient. dont buy a jig kit its only like 50pence to get all the bits you need.
debashish
February 4, 2014 at 6:30 am
please help bro .
your problem is now my problem
any solution please contact me
MrGroove
January 20, 2011 at 12:30 am
Excellent Dennis! Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad the article helped out!
cdnewl
January 21, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Nice,, Thanks a lot.
Aaron
March 2, 2011 at 6:32 am
Thanks for this info! I am using EasyTether Pro and I have a question. Once I check the box for ‘USB Debugging’ do I (and should I) leave this box check alway? Or should I manually check this box every time I go to use my EasyTether Pro app? Is there any danger in leaving the box for ‘USB Debuggin’ always checked?
Also, why wouldn’t something like USB Debugging be a default feature anyway?
Thanks for any help and information!
grooveDexter
March 2, 2011 at 8:05 am
@Aaron,
Great feedback! To answer your question, once you check USB Debugging it should remain checked indefinitely. There are a few things that can disable it; certain apps, system updates, and total loss of battery life (in some cases).
There isn’t any danger in leaving USB debugging mode enabled, but the reason that it isn’t on by default is because it causes a lot of driver issues if you plug it into a computer. You’ll notice while USB debug mode is off that you can easily mount your phone as an external drive, enable (built-in subscription based) tethering, or just have it charge. With Debug mode on, you usually need to download/install an additional driver on your computer if you want to retain the same features.
USB debug mode also uses up more system resources on the phone, so if you need to use it while it is charging you might notice slower performance. But, most USB-based tethering apps need it enabled because it grants elevated access privileges.
Hope that helps. Thanks for the groovy question!
Puneet
February 10, 2016 at 2:39 pm
whenever i m trying to turn on USB debugging it restarts my phone & after the restart again debug mode is unchecked.. & same restarting thing is there… can’t connect my Phone to PC.. any solution
Dawn Hurd
June 7, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Can someone hack in your phone going through USB debugging. Is that what this is for. Do they need access to your phone to hack in it?
penis
June 15, 2011 at 3:26 pm
look at bet your bottom dollar on youtube the one with the guy in the mask
May
October 14, 2011 at 11:17 am
Thank you! :D
TH
October 19, 2011 at 12:33 am
I have problem to log as debug mode even I have set the option to debug mode. It will still remain as USB storage, any advise on this? I am using Galaxy S, Android 2.3.3. Thanks.
KARTHICK
March 6, 2013 at 6:48 am
Sir , Have you solved this problem ? Till now existing for me. If you got rid of this , pleaese show me the way.
faraday
June 24, 2013 at 2:52 am
i hope by now you have the issue resolved.two years down the line.
Wolf
June 24, 2013 at 4:22 am
> i hope by now you have the issue resolved.two years down the line.
Yes – by buying a new phone with Android 4.1 (not because of the problem with USB debugging but because the old one had too small a memory and a lot of software doesn’t install on the SD card).
The new phone (Samsung Galaxy S II plus) has USB debugging switched OFF by default, which is what I want. Connecting it to the Win7-PC at home as a hard drive now works fine without having to switch off USB debugging manually every time.
Unfortunately, at work, where an old XP system without admin rights is installed, the PC does not find a driver for accessing the phone as a hard disk, so I cannot load pictures ONTO the phone (download of pictures still works with some XP-builtin camera app).
Mojeed
July 2, 2015 at 2:48 am
Older versions of Android like 2.3.3:
Task the following: Enter the Settings menu you’ll need to click Application options. Then click on development;you’ll see debug mode. Click on it….You should get it right now.
Scott
October 27, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Is there a way to enable USB debugging with a broken screen?
hallebarde
November 7, 2011 at 8:09 am
Hi,
I don’t have the Development entry. What should I do ?
Android 2.3.4, kernel 2.6.32.9
infotmic “flytouch 3”
Ajay Seth
November 12, 2011 at 11:45 pm
Thanks :) Good Help
shan
November 27, 2011 at 9:58 am
nice post. its really help for my Android IP Webcam.
Chandrakanth
December 15, 2011 at 12:17 am
Thanx a million Sir. It worked for my Samsung Galazy Note. Was struggling for a week. Wroked as a breeze..Thanx again.
Steve Krause
December 15, 2011 at 10:57 am
You bet! And welcome to the groovyPost community!
Edson
December 27, 2011 at 10:01 am
I need a help with my phone Motorola XT531.
After its Rooted, i could move many apk files to SDcard and create a link file to place in the original folder.
So using this method was great.
But I dont remember exactly why, I guess I move motoswitch.apk from system/app and did not create de link to replace it.
So now i can not access the home and the worst the usb debug is not selected.
Does anybody know how can I enable it? Or use the Update.zip to restore just the system/app folder to the original place, because I’ve a original copy of it in the SDCard.
Ali
January 8, 2012 at 11:08 am
Thanks! Simple and easy to understand!
Rosemarie Espinosa
January 16, 2012 at 11:12 am
I have a Droid RAZR. Following your instructions it will not let me changer the USB debugging to USB charge. Can you help me???????????
Ocilio
December 14, 2013 at 8:08 am
Maybe you need to click some ones times on Adjust> About telephone> Compilation number
Geoff Berry
January 17, 2012 at 2:23 am
Just by switching off the USB debugging mode I resolved the issue tht had been driving me barmy.
Thanks for your help.
Geoff Berry
Steve Krause
January 17, 2012 at 8:38 am
What issue were you having Geoff?
Wolf
January 24, 2012 at 4:12 am
Hi Austin,
thanks for the post.
Like Geoff Berry, I need to switch *OFF* USB Debugging on my Samsung Galaxy Ace in order to connect it as a mass storage device to my PC.
The problem is that I have to do it every time again, which is a big hassle. Even when I have it switched off, as soon as I plug in the USB cable, it automatically switches on again, and I have to perform all the above steps again.
Do you know of a way of permanently switching OFF the USB debugging once and for all?
Thanks in advance.
Wolf
Jay DUB
February 19, 2012 at 9:05 pm
Groooooveee Mannnnnnn! Yeah walked me right home, I love ya for this.
Aisha
February 20, 2012 at 1:39 am
Thanks, was really helpful :)
NaneNare
April 17, 2012 at 2:50 pm
NOT help
Have any ideas?
pls
Edson
April 17, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Some time ago I was had a problem related some posts above tha was about I got blank screen after I had moved a system file.
So I asked for help on how to enable the usb debug without use settings menu, off course that was because if I got a blank screen i could not use settings menu.
So far I don’t know how to enable de usb debug, but the solution were this steps.
1 – Reset the cellPhone to default factory
2 – paste the missed file on the sdcard using a PC.
3 – using another phone send to you a sms and paste a link to an webmail.
4 – using a PC, send to yourself a link to the file posted on your sdcard described above using the webmail.
5 – turn on you phone, follow the initial setup screen.
6 – Your sms will be received and so click on the link, then the webmail will be launched.
7 – click on the link and select to install the missed file.
Doing this steps I solve my problems, good look to you.
panos
May 20, 2012 at 3:07 am
thaanx. you are great!
Vulcano
June 5, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Just great!!! Thanks!!
Anonymoz
June 23, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Once again, you are amazing!
aloi
August 18, 2012 at 8:45 am
dude… you literally saved my life…
P
August 24, 2012 at 12:27 pm
The best post I have seen so far about USB debugging.
Steve Krause
August 24, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Well thank you very much!
Renee Hollez
September 13, 2012 at 3:09 am
For the last few days I have looked at debugging an Android phone or any indormation to connect an android phone. I have an HTC Magic which I received last Christmas from my son. He knows I like gadgets and buttons, it was an introduction to touch phone. I used it until some time in February and then on and off the next couple of months.
I have a very nice Nokia E5 which does GPS without going online and I can connect to the computer to transfer files and photos to my hearts content.
Now my needs from a mobile are that I can TXT, phone, take pictures and use the GPS.
Now the Magic, the camera pixels are less, the GPS you have to go online being Google, yes I can text and phone, but I cannot connect to the computer so I cannot upload Co-pilot which I bought. I have ticked the debug, and the phone tells me the software is up to date.
I am tempted to do a factory reset, do you know how dangerous that is, should I have the sim card out, it is the same card I use on my Nokia when I am fed up with the Magic.
By the way I live in rural France where mobile signals are optional, I am not a computer whiz but I get by and I am retired.
Austin Krause
September 13, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I’m not sure of what you’re tying to do. Co-pilot has a free android app which can be downloaded form the Google Play store. If you are trying to run the co-pilot Windows program on your phone that will not work, it only works on Windows computers.
If you purchased one of the area-specific premium Co-pilot apps from the Google Play Market, you don’t need USB debugging to transfer it to your phone. It should just be downloadable straight to your device. If the device isn’t listed as compatible, you can try forcing it by just transferring it to your device after mounting the SD.
John
December 17, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Don’t forget to disable debug mode when its not in use. Leaving debug mode enabled is a security issue.
Rosemarie
January 6, 2013 at 9:35 am
How do I put the debug mode into share
OMAR VILLAMIZAR
March 28, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Me parece muy didáctica la explicación, muy sencilla y efectiva, estoy muy agradecido por no tener que acudir al técnico y pagarle por hacer los cambios en mi teléfono inteligente.
Muchas gracias
Austin Krause
March 28, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Translation from Spanish:
“It seems very didactic explanation, simple and effective, I am grateful for not having to go to the technician and pay him for making changes in my smartphone.”
Thanks Omar!
kavitha
May 13, 2013 at 10:26 am
Thanks….It Worked 4 me…
hamed
June 5, 2013 at 9:22 am
i have a problem help!
i can not turn on the usb debugging mode on my phome lg l7
and how can i transfer my contatcs and sms from sony ericsson vivaz (symbian) to lg l7 (android)
help me
Roberto
July 22, 2013 at 10:31 am
Hello Friends!
I have a Acer Iconia A500, and now i can’t use it because my daughter has locked the device by repeated failures in the income of the pattern.
Before the blockade, I had turned off the wi-fi and the debug mode is disabled, then i can’t use de ADB commands :-(
Currently I asked google account to unlock, but as the wi-fi is disabled, the login can’t be done.
What choice do I have to unlock and get my tablet?
Thanks for u help!
Dorota
August 12, 2013 at 6:01 am
Hi there, Is there a way to enable USB debugging with a broken screen? Ican’t access the phone at all.
cepharlopex
October 31, 2013 at 1:20 am
i’m using LG E445, and i’ve done ur method but it still not working. usb debugging looks grey and it cant be marked. help pls
Dileep P G
August 16, 2015 at 2:43 am
Am sure you would’ve found the answer by now. Just posting it here if anyone else googles their way here like me.
For older phones, the USB debugging option needs to be turned on first, before plugging the device to the PC.
Van
November 25, 2013 at 4:22 am
can someone pls help,am failing to connect my ASIO android tablet 4.0.3 to my pc.its showing blue,white and red colors on the screen..am failing to flash it coz i cant bypass the so called “turn on usb “command..The whole screen is filled up with the colours..please if anyone know how to go about it
medo
December 24, 2013 at 1:02 pm
how connect iphone 4s?????????
Wendy
July 21, 2014 at 5:58 am
OMG! I can’t believe it’s hidden like that. Thank you! It worked!
Stanislav
August 9, 2014 at 1:43 am
Awesome! thanks a lot
chandan sharma
August 29, 2014 at 12:59 am
if my android is dead and the usb degbug mod is not on then how can i activate the usb degbug mod??????
Amanda
October 4, 2014 at 3:14 am
pls I think i deleted something on my phone which might be a programmed software, the problem is that my phone cannot send information anymore to the laptop using a usb it can only charge the phone….is there anything i can do to make the phone send from laptop to phone through usb…..please
klimasig
December 21, 2014 at 4:50 am
Thanks for the info, but can there be a guide for LG L Fino? I can’t find the option…
joven
January 24, 2015 at 8:38 pm
i can not turn on the usb debugging mode on my cloudfone ice 350e
gyan
February 19, 2015 at 4:09 am
i hane anroid one. anroid4.4.4kitkat.where will be my debugging tool?
anonymous
March 11, 2015 at 11:42 am
Thanks a ton
Mark Ribbson
March 11, 2015 at 4:45 pm
now you need to add how to enable usb debugging mode in android 4.2.x and more
update your post
KraziAngel
March 13, 2015 at 2:32 am
I have androidn4.4.2 and this worked like a charm. No update required.
baburao
March 13, 2015 at 8:32 am
my micromax a67 bolt is now facing pattern unlock problem,and unfortunately all attempts are over ,lastly android is asking email and password,i typed them but of no use,so the help i am asking u is ”how to enable debugg mode..when i have no option on my phone screen,,except its email,,,,pls give your better help
Dan
April 26, 2015 at 7:06 am
All apps like this require you to get on the android phone and modify settings that allow usb transfer. My phone’s screen interface is not working so I can’t get onto it to change any settings. Is there any other way to copy items from my phone to my PC?
Aneez
June 2, 2015 at 7:25 am
Thank you so much very usefull and easy tips
drew
July 28, 2015 at 2:57 am
i nEED HELP ive been llocked out of my phone with a letterr password and no longer have access to either the email i used to set up the phone or the phone number to access the account. I cant do a hard reset because killswitch disables it……. what do i do? can you help me?
john arian
December 10, 2015 at 10:57 am
what if my phone is dead or I messed up the screen lock ? like it wasn’t turned on before now i got problem so is there any way to turned it on internally with any tools?
thanks
azli
January 16, 2016 at 4:58 pm
for samsung the option to enable usb debugging is greyed because of….tadaaa….my knox…uninstall myknox
Sachin Jare
February 6, 2016 at 7:33 pm
Big thanks , you do nice job
sidath Tenna
October 22, 2016 at 10:36 pm
Thank you so much….. I was trying to find out hows enable USB debugging mode is so hard. but I do it because of you!!!! Thank you!!!!!
iOn-Christopher
November 6, 2019 at 10:04 pm
Thanks – very nice and clear.
Note that system upgrades will reset the usb-debugging and make the developer options vanish! If you don’t see the notification on the home screen, that’s prob what happened! You have to start over!