How to Enable USB Debugging on Android
Go to Settings
Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Tap “About Phone”
Scroll down and tap on About Phone.
Activate Developer Mode
Find Build Number and tap it 7 times quickly.
You’ll see a message: “You are now a developer!”
Go Back to Settings
Return to the main Settings menu.
Open Developer Options
Scroll and tap on System > Developer Options
(or directly under Settings on some phones).
Enable USB Debugging
Scroll down to USB Debugging.
Toggle it ON and confirm if prompted.
Connect Phone via USB
Plug your phone into your Windows PC or Mac
On your phone, allow the computer access when prompted.
If the “Allow USB debugging?” popup is not showing on your Android phone after connecting it to a computer, here's how to troubleshoot and get the popup to appear:
Step-by-Step Fix for Missing USB Debugging Prompt
1. Check if USB Debugging is Enabled
Make sure USB debugging is actually turned on:
-
Go to Settings > Developer Options
-
Scroll down and toggle USB Debugging ON
If Developer Options is hidden:
-
Go to Settings > About phone
-
Tap Build number 7 times to enable it
2. Change USB Connection Mode
Sometimes the connection defaults to "Charging only." Change it:
-
Connect your phone via USB
-
Swipe down the notification panel
-
Tap the USB options (shows “Charging this device via USB”)
-
Select “File Transfer (MTP)” or “Transfer files”
3. Reconnect the Phone
-
Unplug the USB cable
-
Wait a few seconds
-
Plug it back in
-
Watch for the popup — it may take a few seconds
4. Try a Different USB Port or Cable
-
Use a different USB port on your computer
-
Try a different USB cable (use a data cable, not charge-only)
-
Try another computer if available
5. Revoke USB Debugging Authorizations
This will force the popup to appear again:
-
Go to Settings > Developer Options
-
Tap Revoke USB debugging authorizations
-
Reconnect the phone to your computer
6. Check the Computer
Make sure your computer recognizes the device:
-
Open Device Manager (on Windows) and look for your device under Android Device or Portable Devices
-
Install or update the ADB drivers or OEM USB drivers
7. Restart Both Devices
-
Restart your Android phone
-
Restart your computer
-
Then reconnect the USB cable
8. Use ADB (if advanced)
If you've installed Android SDK platform tools:
-
If unauthorized, your phone should show the prompt
-
If nothing shows up, check drivers or connection mode again
