What is USB Debugging? How to Activate it on any Android device? Android, based on the Linux kernel, is the most common and widely used mobile operating system. It’s open-source and free software that runs on Android-compatible touchscreen smartphones and tablets. This mobile operating system was created by Google, and most Android smartphone manufacturers customize their own skins for their own device models. It has a secret Developer Options menu with numerous customizations and features for advanced users, including USB Debugging.
When it comes to USB Debugging, it’s a common and useful feature for an Android phone that allows it to connect to a PC/Laptop for data syncing or flashing files, among other things. When you use your computer to build an Android package, install a file, or run ADB & Fastboot commands on your laptop, USB debugging mode comes in handy.
Android App Developers or advanced users install the Android SDK on their device, the SDK provides them with some of the necessary access or resources to build apps using Android Studio. If you don’t need Android Studio, you can simply install Android SDK to gain root access or perform other tasks on your computer. Now, let’s look at some of the benefits of using USB Debugging on an Android computer.
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What is USB Debugging?
USB Debugging is a feature of the Android SDK platform that enables Android devices to connect with computers and use advanced options. SDK stands for Software Development Kit in this case. This function provides safe access to some of the Android device’s advanced areas that most people don’t use on a regular basis. That’s why it’s under Developer Options, and it’s also why the ‘Developer Options’ are usually secret for regular Android users.
Advantages of USB Debugging:
- USB Debugging mode allows you access to your Android device’s storage and system on a more advanced level.
- Users can conveniently link their computer to a PC/Laptop using a USB cable and access files in this mode.
- Those processes can’t be completed or run smoothly unless USB Debugging is available.
- To flash firmware or any other files to your client, use the terminal commands on your screen.
- Additionally, you can use the ADB and Fastboot commands to uninstall or disable files/apps on your phone.
- Alternatively, you should examine your phone’s log files.
How to Enable USB Debugging on any Android device?
Ensure that all Android devices, from low-cost to high-end, have the same choice and process for enabling this functionality.
- Tap the Settings menu on your phone from the home screen or app drawer.
- Select About Phone> Build Number from the drop-down menu. Tap the Build number seven times quickly.
- This will bring up the Developer Options menu.
- Now it’s your turn. Return to the Settings screen and select Developer Options from the drop-down menu next to About Phone. [For Android 8.0 Oreo and earlier versions of Android]
- You must go to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options if you are using Android 9.0 Pie or later.
- The USB Debugging toggle is included in the Developer Options menu. Toggle the switch on.
- It will ask. Allow USB Debugging? > To confirm, tap OK.
- That’s it. You’re done.
You can easily connect the computer to a PC using a USB cable once you’ve enabled debugging. When your machine detects your connected smartphone, go to your phone’s settings and activate the debugging permission. Connect the machine to a trusted device list and start using it after you confirm it.
However, you can restore your computer if you have accidentally rejected the prompt. To disable previous access to all devices, select Revoke USB debugging authorizations.
- To start, remove the USB cable from your computer.
- Return to the Device Settings > System > Developer Options > Developer Options > Select OK after tapping on Revoke USB debugging authorizations.
What does USB Debugging do on Android?
Debugging, as previously mentioned, allows you and the device to access or execute special tasks or commands on your phone through the machine. As a result, developers and some advanced Android users can push apps to their devices for testing, as well as root and unlock bootloaders, flash any third-party file, and install any flashable image file, among other things.
Meanwhile, if you’ve created an Android Studio app and want to test it on your connected Android computer, you can do so simply by following a few steps, and it will run and appear on your device. As a result, you won’t have to do anything extra like port the APK file, transfer it to the system, or manually sideload it.
Is Android USB Debugging Safe?
If applicable, you can usually use debugging mode on your Android device. It can affect you if you’ve activated USB Debugging mode and connected your phone to some public or unknown charging port or device. Since your device data may be compromised if anyone gains access to the machine or charging port.
Alternatively, if you leave the debugging-activated setting on your phone, it becomes easily vulnerable. As a result, we suggest that you turn it off when you are not using this tool. To keep your device system and personal data safe, make sure to remove access to previously used computers from your device after a few weeks or months.
