Probably, many owners of mobile smartphones and tablets running on Android have noticed that when buying a gadget, the possibilities to control the system and applications installed in its environment are extremely limited. Access to some hidden options usually requires the activation of a developer’s functional set. Not everyone knows how to become an Android developer and what it may be for. That is why it is worth filling this gap and looking at some important technical issues.
What is Android Developer Mode for?
It is quite natural that many owners of mobile equipment immediately have questions related to why all this is necessary. Isn’t it easier to use the parameters set in the system by default? Yes, indeed, for most ordinary users, such hidden functionality is completely useless. But it is not excluded that, for example, you will install the same applications not from the Play Market repository, but from special APK files. Especially often this can come in handy in a situation where the applet is paid, and you find its full unlocked free version. Without activating access to the Android developer menu, you won’t be able to get permission to install, even in principle. This is only the simplest example, because in the settings themselves there are many additional parameters that allow you to configure the system more finely than originally intended, as well as get control, if not complete, then very wide control. We will dwell on this a bit later, but for now we will move from words to deeds.
How to become a developer on Android?
So, to obtain access rights to advanced options, first go to the main settings section, then scroll through the menu presented to the very bottom. At the end you will find an information item (“About phone”, “About tablet”, “About device”), by clicking on which you can find out brief characteristics of your own device. With it, you can activate the desired mode. How to enable developer mode?
To do this, in the section, you need to click on the item of the installed assembly about 10-15 times (and not 3-5, as some uninformed users advise). In the process of clicking, prompts may appear informing that you are already close to becoming a developer, and after the last press, a notification automatically pops up saying that you have finally become one.
Note: on some devices it’s not enough just to become a developer. The mode also needs to be activated by moving the corresponding slider to the on position.
Basic menu items and settings
How to become a developer on Android, figured out. But this is only half the battle. Now let's see what of everything presented in the hidden section that opens, you may need in practical terms.
Ordinary users are not recommended to experiment with most of the available parameters. In particular, you should not deal with changing GPU acceleration modes, as this can lead to fatal crashes. Also, you will not need error and operation logs, during which the wireless Bluetooth module is used.
Among the most significant options that you really can come in handy are the following:
- USB configuration settings;
- Wi-Fi network settings management;
- setting the protocol used when connecting to stationary computer systems.
By and large, you are unlikely to use everything else, therefore, speaking of how to become a developer on Android, it will be based on the above parameters and their practical application.
USB configuration and other important parameters
The first and most important point is the activation of USB debugging permission. Enabling this option allows you to automatically recognize your device when connected to a desktop PC or laptop.
This can most often be used either to perform operations with files (copying, deleting), or to install applications on a smartphone or tablet directly from a computer without the need to launch the installation APK-applet on the device itself.
Mandatory permission to install applets from unknown sources must be included!
The second important point is related to the installation of applications in the case of utilities like ADB, for this mode it is advisable to disable the security check.
In the settings of the Android developer, special attention should be paid to the USB configuration, which will be used when connecting to external ports.
There will be several protocols to choose from. To transfer files, either Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) or Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) is usually activated. You can also use the device as an audio source or enable control via MIDI commands (this can be used when connecting to synthesizers or virtual studios and sequencers). If at the moment you do not need any of these configurations, you can enable normal charging. In this mode, the device will simply charge, but determining it as a connected removable drive will not be available.
Note: the number of available parameters and their names on different devices and in different modifications of the operating system may vary. An example of the use of protocols is given for Android 6.1.
For Wi-Fi, it is advisable to turn off the automatic search for available networks, since if the passwordless access points are detected, the wireless module will turn on by itself.
Also in the parameters you can set a password for backup and enable factory unlock. We will dwell on it in more detail.
Do you need root privileges?
Many people have problems getting root rights. Although it is believed that the easiest way is to get it using a program like Kingo Root, on Android the sixth modification, updated to build 6.1, this option does not work. And without superuser rights, you cannot remove applications “wired” into the system or install your own custom firmware like CWRP. But the factory unlock bootloader very often and allows you to circumvent such restrictions. After installing the firmware, even the main boot menu can change, the parameters of which remotely resemble the computer BIOS.
However, when managing applications, it is unnecessary to delete them, and extended superuser rights are also not required. It is enough to stop and disable the unused applet, after which it will be informed about the installation of the original version, and the application will be completely blocked.
Summary
How to become an Android developer and why all this is needed is a little clear. Of course, it is impossible to affect all parameters. By and large, ordinary users do not need them. It is enough to activate only those described above, after which you can connect to computers and install applications from APK files by first copying them to your device. It is recommended that you change the remaining parameters only if you have the appropriate knowledge, otherwise the system can be seriously damaged, after which it may even require a complete reset to the factory state.