How to enable usb debugging?

vlee

Well-known member
Mar 12, 2011
100
0
0
This was mentioned in another thread about a stuck phone that I didn't want to hijack.

This sounds like it's worth doing as a "just in case" I ever need it, although to be honest, I'm not quite sure yet what it enables. I figured it would be something in settings, but nothing there jumps out at me. Should I be looking for different wording? I've been searching the forum for that phrase, but while I can find references to "first you need to enable", I haven't seen how to do it. Maybe not too surprising, it wasn't in my downloaded manual either. Can anyone point me towards simple directions? Or post them? Hopefully I'm not the only one having problems with this and this will help someone else too.
 
Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number a few times > It will say your a developer now > Go back and you will see developer options above About Phone > Check USB Debugging option in Developer Options

USB debugging is mainly for developers, allowing them to use the android sdk (software development kit) to communicate with the device. However, USB debugging can be extremely useful as it allows us to use adb commands which can pull and push files to the device even when it does not boot correctly.
 
Generally you don't want to just leave it turned on though since it interferes with mtp (file transfer) mode.
 
Thank you both. I was hesitant to post what seemed like a basic question and am grateful that the people on this forum are so cordial :). I went ahead and enabled it for now, but will keep in mind to disable it if I have a problem with file xfers .
 
Sorry my recollection was it simply didn't work with debugging enabled (on 4.1 at least). It could subsequently have been fixed or maybe just an issue with my pc? Does it work for you?

[edit] : I think I'm an *****... USB mass storage and usb debugging were incompatible back in those days... I think that's what I was thinking of... Sorry for the confusion! :-\
 
Last edited:
Sorry my recollection was it simply didn't work with debugging enabled (on 4.1 at least). It could subsequently have been fixed or maybe just an issue with my pc? Does it work for you?

[edit] : I think I'm an *****... USB mass storage and usb debugging were incompatible back in those days... I think that's what I was thinking of... Sorry for the confusion! :-\

I flashed 4.3 today and had USB debugging enabled while I was transferring files between my pc and the phone. It can be a little slow when transferring huge files but I think it is the same speed without debugging on. From what I understand the adb drivers are installed separately to the normal drivers meaning they can be used at the same time. Having rooted and flashed kernels, roms on my device I don't feel very comfortable at all leaving debugging off especially as it is extremely helpful in problematic situations.
 
Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number a few times > It will say your a developer now > Go back and you will see developer options above About Phone > Check USB Debugging option in Developer Options

USB debugging is mainly for developers, allowing them to use the android sdk (software development kit) to communicate with the device. However, USB debugging can be extremely useful as it allows us to use adb commands which can pull and push files to the device even when it does not boot correctly.

Man this has got to be the dumbest change I've ever seen. How is anyone supposed to figure that out??
 
Its meant for basic users who have no business digging into the developer(or looking to root) setting.... So if your a developer then you have the above mentioned method of accessing it

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
 
I need to Root my daughter's LG Optimus (Purple) Android. I tapped "Build Number" a few times like the post said but nothing happened. So it seems I can't enable USB debugging. I'm stuck because the Purple doesn't have the same menus as the Black and isn't responding.

Does someone know OR can figure out how to root this phone? I'd be very grateful, all.
 
You need to tap build number 7 times on most devices. Tap it rapidly and keep tapping until you see a prompt pop up.

Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using Tapatalk