On this page
What it is
Developer options is a hidden page in Settings, made for people who build apps. It holds the switches Shizuku needs: USB debugging and, on Android 11 or newer, Wireless debugging.
Turning it on is a normal Android feature, and there is a switch to turn it off again. A few banking and game apps refuse to run while it is on. If that happens, see the safety page.
Sources: Android developer options docs, Issue 595, Issue 1340
Turn it on
Open Settings.
Tap About phone at the bottom. Its name differs on some brands; see the table below.
Find Build number. On some brands it hides one level deeper, or it is a different line, as the table shows.
Tap that line 7 times in a row, quickly. After a few taps you see a countdown.
Enter your screen lock PIN, pattern or password if the phone asks.
You see a message like You are now a developer!. That's it.
Can't find it? Type Build number, or Developer options, into the search bar at the top of Settings. Menu names change between models and updates.
Sources: Android developer options docs, Shizuku setup guide
The line to tap on your brand
| Brand | Tap this 7 times | Then Developer options is in |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel, Fairphone | Settings, then About phone, then Build number | Settings, then System, then Developer options |
| Samsung | Settings, then About phone, then Software information, then Build number | The very bottom of Settings |
| Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | Settings, then About phone, then OS version or MIUI version, not Build number | Settings, then Additional settings, then Developer options |
| OnePlus, OPPO, realme | Settings, then About device, then Version, then Build number | Settings, then System settings, then Developer options, or search for it |
| vivo, iQOO | Software version, not Build number | Settings, then System management, then Developer options |
| Huawei, Honor | Settings, then About phone, then Build number | Settings, then System & updates, then Developer options |
| Motorola | Settings, then About phone, then Build number | Settings, then System, then Developer options |
| Nothing, CMF | Settings, then About phone, then Software info, then Build number | Settings, then System, then Developer options |
| Sony | Settings, then About phone, then Build number | Settings, then System, then Developer options |
| ASUS | Settings, then About phone, then Software information, then Build number | Settings, then System, then Developer options |
| Tecno, Infinix, itel | Settings, then My phone, then Build number | Settings, then System, then Developer options |
| Lenovo tablets | Settings, then About tablet, then Build number | Settings, then System, then Developer options |
| Google TV | Settings, then System, then About, then Android TV OS build | Settings, then System, then Developer options |
Your brand page has the full path for older versions too. Any other brand: the general way.
Open Developer options
Go back to the main Settings page.
On most phones, tap System, then Developer options. On your brand it may be elsewhere; see the table above.
Check the switch at the very top of the page. It must stay On while you use Shizuku.
Scroll down to USB debugging and turn it on. Shizuku's manual asks for this even when you use the wireless way. Tap OK or Allow if Android asks.
Sources: Shizuku setup guide, Android developer options docs
Two switches that keep Shizuku running
You find both in Developer options. Shizuku's manual recommends them for every phone.
- Disable adb authorization timeout (Android 11 or newer): turn it on. Without it, Android forgets the pairing after 7 days of no use.
- Default USB configuration, then No data transfer. On Android 8 it is Select USB configuration, then Charge only. This stops Shizuku from being closed when you plug in a cable or the screen turns off.
Sources: Shizuku setup guide, Issue 277, Issue 294
Turn it off again
Open Developer options.
Turn off the switch at the very top of the page.
Most options reset and the menu hides again. On some vivo and OPPO phones the entry stays listed until you clear the Settings app's storage. That is harmless.
Turning it off also stops Shizuku. The full list of what to undo, in the right order, is on the safety page.
Sources: Samsung support: Developer options, Android developer options docs, Techbone (third party)