The brand new Samsung Galaxy S5 is packed with advanced features, controls, fingerprint sensors for security and more, but there are a few more options Google has chosen to hide from the average user.
Developers and enthusiasts who want to control additional features of their device, change settings, or enable USB debugging for advanced functions should enable the hidden developer menu in the settings. While the settings are easy to find and use for average daily tasks, Google has started hiding the advanced developer menu with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.
Whether you want to be a developer, install third-party software or ROMs, or just want to hack and mess with your new phone, you need to start by unlocking the developer menu. It’s actually pretty easy and only taps the screen 5-6 times, so read on for full instructions and a visual breakdown.
Every device running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and higher, including Google’s own Nexus 5, must take the following steps before their owners can access this advanced and hidden menu. This is a strange approach by Google, but the current system requires a user to tap a certain area in the “about me” settings menu 4-6 times and you’re done.
To begin with, this entire menu is for advanced users, and changing some settings or control can dramatically change the experience on your Android smartphone. And not in a good way. While there are a few required settings for certain tasks, most of them are for developers only. That said, read on for quick instructions.
Instructions
The few steps required are extremely easy and users will want to follow the minimum guidelines outlined below step by step to get these options ready for you.
To get started, you’ll enter the settings menu by finding the gear-shaped icon in your app tray or by swiping down the notification bar and tapping the same gear-shaped icon in the upper-right corner of the screen. From here you will continue to follow the steps below from the photos.
In settings, simply go to the “About device” tab as shown above and then tap “build number” from the screenshot above. Oddly, all users have to do is tap the Build number 6-7 times in quick succession and it will unlock the developer menu. After a few taps you’ll see the above prompt stating you’re a few steps away, tap it four more times and you’re done. It’s that easy and you’re done.
While we’re here, we have a hot tip for the average user. Non-experienced Android users will still enjoy the hidden Easter Egg in this menu. Do the same multi taps on Android Version for some fun. Then a big K (for KitKat) will appear, long press the K that appears and enjoy the Android 4.4 KitKat Easter Egg. You can long press this again for a mosaic of all Android versions.
Moving on, users can now press the back button and return to the original basic settings menu of the Galaxy S5. From here, you’ll see a brand new option just above the “About device” you went to earlier.
Developer options is now about the About device setting and a click that will take users to the previously hidden developer menu that must be opened for full functionality.
As you can see from the screenshot above, there are options for keeping the screen awake while charging, USB debugging, Bluetooth controls, allowing fake locations, debugging certain apps, showing screen touches, and tons of other minor controls and advanced tweaks. Again, most of these are for developers and not necessary for the average user. So that explains why they were hidden.
While most of the settings are for advanced users, unlocking the developer menu has an advantage and the link above tells you how to do it. Scroll down the developer options and you will see some animation scale options, all set to 1x. Lowering them to 0.5x will make your phone feel much faster overall, and all of this is detailed in the link above.
You should do it?
Enabling the hidden developer options menu on Android is entirely up to the end user and will not cause any issue or damage to the Samsung Galaxy S5. Most of the included options are hidden by Google for some reason, but those looking to hack their device will need access to a few of these settings.
This is one of those things you don’t need to do or know and will eventually be required by every user. Give it a try today and start hacking or replacing the brand new Samsung Galaxy S5.
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