Whenever we have talked anything related to accessing Android using the computer through ADB, we have always asked you to enable Developer Options to enable USB Debugging so that the computer can read your Android device through the ADB bridge. But that’s what we have all stuck to in all our articles and never paid much attention to other options available in the settings. Basically, Developer Options is meant for developers to try different things while developing apps/features on Android, but some of these features are so cool that it’s worth checking them out.
If this is the first time you are exploring Developers Option, chances are that you will not find it in the Android Settings menu. You will have to open the About page in Settings and then tap the Build Number 7 times until you see a notification that the developer options are enabled. You can now access the menu from Android settings.
Now that the Developer Options are enabled, and you have turned them on, let’s talk about the first 5 features that you must check out.
1. Enable Grayscale Display Settings
Using this feature, you can turn your Android’s display monochrome which can be helpful if you are into reading on your android device. In the developers option, find the option Stimulate colour space and tap on it. From the options select Monochromacy and save the settings. Your entire Android experience will now be in monochrome colors.
There are so many ways you can use this feature. Users with AMOLED display on their Androids can turn on the feature when they are serious about conserving power on the device. Reading buffs can also use the feature to reduce eye strain.
Note: Any screenshots taken in this mode will be colored. It’s only the display that changes.
There are so many ways you can use this feature. Users with AMOLED display on their Androids can turn on the feature when they are serious about conserving power on the device. Reading buffs can also use the feature to reduce eye strain.
Note: Any screenshots taken in this mode will be colored. It’s only the display that changes.
2. Fake GPS Location (Allow Mock Location)
Using this feature, you can use various apps available on the Play Store to fake the GPS location that’s used by other apps on your device. You will find an option that says Allow Mock Location, just tap on it and you are ready to go.
Now download an application called Fake Location Spoofer Free. The app will ask you to set a location on the map and once you have set a location, other apps and services will be using the same location that’s being spoofed by the app. You might have to switch to GPS Only Mode from High Accuracy that uses Wi-Fi as a secondary input source to fetch your location for best results.
Now download an application called Fake Location Spoofer Free. The app will ask you to set a location on the map and once you have set a location, other apps and services will be using the same location that’s being spoofed by the app. You might have to switch to GPS Only Mode from High Accuracy that uses Wi-Fi as a secondary input source to fetch your location for best results.
3. Tweak Animation Speed
When you navigate on your Android, you will notice that when the screen changes, there are some animations that Android adds for smoothness. It’s like overlapping the two frames so that it doesn’t appear cut off, much like cross-fading in audio and videos. However, these settings are only there for the look and feel and can be disabled to increase overall speed.
Scroll down in the Developers Option and look for Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale. Here, lesser the number the faster are the animations. If you don’t care about speed, but want the transactions smoother, simply increase the values.
Cool Tip: Make all the values as 10 and then play the hidden Lollipop game. I am sure you will break all the records.
When you navigate on your Android, you will notice that when the screen changes, there are some animations that Android adds for smoothness. It’s like overlapping the two frames so that it doesn’t appear cut off, much like cross-fading in audio and videos. However, these settings are only there for the look and feel and can be disabled to increase overall speed.
Scroll down in the Developers Option and look for Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale. Here, lesser the number the faster are the animations. If you don’t care about speed, but want the transactions smoother, simply increase the values.
Cool Tip: Make all the values as 10 and then play the hidden Lollipop game. I am sure you will break all the records.
4. Display CPU Usage on Overlay Screen
Ever wondered how much of the CPU you are using on Android at any given time? There are a few apps on Play Store using which you can get the information, but through Developers Option, the values can be obtained without any apps and that too in real-time.
In the Developer Options, look for Show CPU Usage and check the options. That’s all; you will see an overlay of your current CPU usage on the right side of the screen. You will also get the package name of the apps which are active in the background. The information is just to show off the skills of Developer Options and should be kept disabled to use the phone.
In the Developer Options, look for Show CPU Usage and check the options. That’s all; you will see an overlay of your current CPU usage on the right side of the screen. You will also get the package name of the apps which are active in the background. The information is just to show off the skills of Developer Options and should be kept disabled to use the phone.
5. Stay Awake while Charging
Many users who have the habit to keep the phone on a charging cradle in office, or on a dock near the bedside can keep the screen awake all the time. Just look for the option Stay Awake and check it to enable the option.
The device will not go to sleep while the phone is charging and can be handy in quite a few scenarios.
The device will not go to sleep while the phone is charging and can be handy in quite a few scenarios.
Conclusion
That’s just the beginning. There are so many other options to explore in the Android’s Developer Menu. So explore these options and share with us any other features you find useful for other Android users.
That’s just the beginning. There are so many other options to explore in the Android’s Developer Menu. So explore these options and share with us any other features you find useful for other Android users.
Excellent post--I'm glad I found it.Thanks for sharing...
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