A USB connection mode on Android devices which allows a USB connected computer to directly interact with the device.
USB debugging is a connection mode on Android devices which allows a USB connected computer to interact with the device. This can be used to e.g.,
- Transfer data between the computer and the device.
- Read log data from the device.
- Execute commands directly on the device.
- Debug applications running on the device.
More details can be found e.g. in our adb tag-wiki.
By default, USB debugging is disabled with stock ROMs (some custom ROMs however have it enabled by default). To toggle it on or off, you can find the corresponding switch in Settings › Developer – which is hidden by default in Android 4.2 onwards.
You can make this section visible by going to Settings › About device and "hammering" the entry telling your ROM's build version until a toast-message congratulates you for having become a developer.
Useful links on our site
- What is USB debugging? Can I keep it ON forever?.
- Broken screen while debug mode was disabled. How can I re-enable adb? (older Android versions).
- How to enable USB Debugging in Android if forgotten pattern for screen-unlock? (JellyBean to Lollipop, most likely newer Android versions as well).
