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Restore the Developer Options menu in Android 4.2

Google has hidden the Developer Options item in its latest Android release. Here's how to put it back where it belongs.

Jason Cipriani Contributing Writer, ZDNet
Jason Cipriani is based out of beautiful Colorado and has been covering mobile technology news and reviewing the latest gadgets for the last six years. His work can also be found on sister site CNET in the How To section, as well as across several more online publications.
Jason Cipriani

Jason Cipriani/CNET

Perhaps you've just ordered a Nexus 4 or a Nexus 10, or maybe you just updated your Nexus device (among other rooted Android devices) to Android 4.2. Either way, you're likely to notice that Developer Options is missing from your Settings menu. For whatever reason, Google decided to hide the Developer Options item in the latest Android release. As Android Central posted a few days ago, you can easily unlock the Developer Options listing and restore it to its rightful place.

  • First, you'll need to open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. Once you get there, tap About Phone.

Click to enlarge. Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

  • Scroll to the bottom again, this time until you see the Build Number entry. Now tap Build Number a total of seven times. You'll see friendly developer messages starting with the fourth tap. After the seventh, you'll see a message congratulating you for unlocking Developer Options.

Click to enlarge. Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

  • Return to the Settings menu. Sure enough, there's Developer Options, just where you -- or Google -- left it.

Developer Options are meant to be used and accessed strictly by developers, but for those Android users who root and tinker with their devices, accessing this menu is a must. With a few taps, you'll be back in business in no time.