How to turn on USB debugging

Updated 5 October 2026

USB debugging is a switch in Android's Developer options. It lets a computer you approve talk to the phone over the cable. SideMount needs it to mount the phone in Finder, and so does every tool built on Android's developer protocol.

The short version

  1. Open Settings, then About phone, and tap Build number seven times. Enter your PIN if the phone asks. It then tells you that you are now a developer.
  2. Go back to Settings and open Developer options.
  3. Turn on USB debugging, and confirm.
  4. Plug the phone into the Mac, unlock it, and tap Allow on the prompt. Tick Always allow from this computer so it does not ask again.

Every maker moves those menus a little, so find yours below. If your phone is not listed, search Settings for "Build number", and then for "USB debugging".

Samsung Galaxy

  1. Open Settings > About phone > Software information.
  2. Tap Build number seven times.
  3. Go back to the main Settings list. Developer options is now at the very bottom.
  4. Open it and turn on USB debugging.

Google Pixel

  1. Open Settings > About phone, and scroll to the bottom.
  2. Tap Build number seven times.
  3. Open Settings > System > Developer options.
  4. Turn on USB debugging.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO

  1. Open Settings > About phone.
  2. Tap OS version seven times. On older phones with MIUI, tap MIUI version instead.
  3. Open Settings > Additional settings > Developer options.
  4. Turn on USB debugging.

Further down the same list is USB debugging (Security settings). Leave it off: SideMount does not need it, and Xiaomi asks for a Mi account and a SIM card before it lets you turn it on.

OnePlus

  1. Open Settings > About device > Version.
  2. Tap Build number seven times.
  3. Open Settings > System settings > Developer options. On older versions of OxygenOS it is under Additional settings.
  4. Turn on USB debugging.

Motorola

  1. Open Settings > About phone.
  2. Tap Build number seven times.
  3. Open Settings > System > Developer options.
  4. Turn on USB debugging.

Is it safe?

Turning it on does not open the phone to anyone. Android asks you to allow each computer by its key, the first time it connects, and a computer you have not allowed gets nothing. You can take that back for every computer at once with Revoke USB debugging authorisations, in Developer options.

A few banking and payment apps refuse to run while Developer options is on. If one of yours does, turn Developer options off while you use it. That turns USB debugging off too, so SideMount will not see the phone until you turn it back on.

Over Wi-Fi: wireless debugging

On Android 11 or later, Developer options also has Wireless debugging. SideMount uses it to mount the phone over your own network after you pair it once, with the six digit code the phone shows you. It is much slower than the cable, so it suits small transfers.

Download SideMount Read the setup guide