To reset Developer Options on your Android device, the most effective and straightforward method is to simply turn off the main "Developer options" toggle found within the settings. This action will revert most of the configured settings within that menu back to their default values.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reset Developer Options
Resetting your developer options is a simple process. Follow these steps:
- Open Settings: Navigate to your device's main "Settings" application. You can usually find this by swiping down from the top of your screen and tapping the gear icon, or by locating the "Settings" app in your app drawer.
- Access Developer Options:
- Scroll down and tap on "System" or "About phone."
- Look for "Developer options" and tap on it. (If you don't see it, you haven't enabled it yet, so there's nothing to reset. To enable, go to "About phone" and tap "Build number" seven times.)
- Toggle Off Developer Options: At the very top of the "Developer options" screen, you will find a toggle switch, often labeled "On" or "Developer options." Tap this toggle to turn it Off.
By switching this main toggle off, you effectively "reset" most of the individual settings within the Developer options menu to their factory defaults. This is also a useful way to see what the default values are for various settings, as they will revert once the main toggle is switched off.
What Happens When You Reset Developer Options?
When you turn off the main "Developer options" toggle:
- Most settings revert to default: The majority of the individual settings you may have changed (e.g., USB debugging, animation scales, strict mode) will be restored to their original factory settings.
- Temporary changes are undone: Any temporary configurations or overrides will be cleared.
- The menu remains visible (usually): While the options inside are reset, the "Developer options" menu itself typically remains visible in your settings until you actively choose to hide it.
Table: Impact of Resetting Developer Options
| Action | Primary Effect on Developer Options |
|---|---|
| Toggle Off "Developer options" | Resets most individual settings to default values. |
| Clear data of "Settings" app | May hide the Developer options menu, but not guaranteed to reset all underlying system flags. |
| Factory Reset Device | Completely resets all settings, including Developer options, to out-of-the-box state. |
Why Reset Developer Options?
Users often choose to reset developer options for several reasons:
- Troubleshooting: If you've made changes that are causing unexpected behavior or performance issues, resetting them can help determine if a developer option was the cause.
- Restoring defaults: To ensure your device is running with standard configurations for app development or general use.
- Security: As some developer options can expose your device to risks (e.g., USB debugging), resetting ensures these are turned off when not needed.
For more detailed information on Android developer options, you can refer to official Android documentation here.
Hiding Developer Options (Optional)
If you wish to completely hide the "Developer options" menu from your Settings after turning it off, you might need to clear the data of the "Settings" app. Be aware that clearing the "Settings" app data might reset other preferences you've configured within the Settings application.
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps.
- Find and tap on "Settings."
- Tap "Storage & cache."
- Tap "Clear storage" (or "Clear data").
- Restart your device.
After this, you will need to re-enable Developer options by tapping the build number seven times if you want to access them again in the future.
