Enable Developer Options in Three Steps
Developer Options is a hidden menu on your Firestick that lets you connect to a computer for testing apps, install apps from sources other than the Amazon Appstore, and debug software. To turn it on, go to Settings, then About, then tap the Build Number field seven times in quick succession. After the seventh tap, a message will appear saying "You are now a developer" — this unlocks the Developer Options menu in Settings.
The entire process takes less than a minute. You do not need a computer or any special software to enable it — just your Firestick remote and access to the Settings menu.
Key Takeaways
- Developer Options is found by tapping the Build Number field seven times from the About screen in Settings.
- Once enabled, Developer Options appears as a new menu item in Settings where you can turn on USB Debugging and change installation settings.
- Enabling Developer Options does not change how your Firestick works day-to-day unless you actively use the debugging features.
- You can turn Developer Options off by going back to Settings and toggling it off, or by doing a factory reset of your device.
Step-by-Step: Finding the Build Number
Start on your Firestick home screen. Pick up your remote and press the Menu button (the three horizontal lines). Scroll down and select Settings. The Settings menu will open with several options listed vertically.
From the Settings menu, scroll down until you see About. Select it. The About screen shows information about your device, including the model number, serial number, and Build Number. The Build Number is usually near the bottom of this screen and looks like a string of numbers and letters — for example, "5.2.7.2" or similar.
Tap the Build Number Seven Times
Once you can see the Build Number on the About screen, use your remote to highlight it. Press the Select button (the center circle on your remote) on the Build Number field. Count each tap carefully: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. You do not need to tap rapidly — a normal pace works fine.
After the seventh tap, a toast notification (a small message box) will appear at the bottom of the screen saying "You are now a developer." This confirms that Developer Options is now active. You can now back out of the About screen and return to Settings.
Find Developer Options in Settings
Go back to the Settings menu. Scroll down past the options you saw before. Developer Options will now appear as a new menu item — it was not there before you enabled it. Select Developer Options to open this menu.
Inside Developer Options, you will see several toggles and settings. The most commonly used is USB Debugging, which allows a computer to communicate with your Firestick over a USB connection. You can turn USB Debugging on or off from this menu depending on whether you are actively testing apps.
What Developer Options Lets You Do
With Developer Options enabled, you can install apps that are not in the Amazon Appstore by sideloading them from a computer. You can also connect your Firestick to a development computer using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to test apps before releasing them. If you are not a software developer or tester, you may never need to use these features.
Developer Options also includes settings like "Stay Awake" (which keeps your Firestick from sleeping while plugged in) and performance monitoring tools. These are useful if you are troubleshooting a problem or testing how an app behaves under different conditions.
Turn Developer Options Off
If you want to disable Developer Options later, go back to Settings and select Developer Options. At the top of the menu, you will see a toggle that says "Developer Options" — turn it off. This removes the Developer Options menu from Settings and disables USB Debugging.
Turning off Developer Options does not erase anything or cause problems. Your Firestick will work exactly as it did before you enabled it. If you ever need Developer Options again, you can follow the same steps to turn it back on.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is tapping the Build Number too slowly or losing count. If you tap only six times, nothing happens — you must complete all seven taps. If you lose count, just start over from the beginning. There is no penalty for trying again.
Another mistake is looking for Developer Options before you have tapped the Build Number seven times. The menu does not exist until you complete the seven taps. If you do not see Developer Options in Settings after tapping, go back to About and try again, counting more carefully.
Do not worry about accidentally enabling Developer Options. It is a safe feature and does not change your Firestick's normal operation. You can turn it off at any time, and your device will function normally whether it is on or off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I enable Developer Options but never use it?
Nothing changes. Your Firestick works exactly the same way. Developer Options only affects your device if you actively use USB Debugging or sideload apps. You can leave it on indefinitely without any impact on performance or functionality.
Can I sideload apps without enabling Developer Options?
No. Sideloading requires USB Debugging to be turned on, which is only available after you enable Developer Options. The standard Amazon Appstore does not require Developer Options.
Will enabling Developer Options void my warranty?
No. Enabling Developer Options is a standard feature built into Firestick and does not void your warranty. Amazon provides this feature specifically for developers and advanced users.
How do I know if I tapped the Build Number the correct number of times?
You will see a notification that says "You are now a developer." If you do not see this message, you did not complete all seven taps. Go back to About and try again.
Can I enable Developer Options on any Firestick model?
Yes. All Firestick models — including Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV devices — have Developer Options. The steps are the same across all models.