Six hidden settings inside Android's Developer options menu can help users make their phones feel faster and more responsive in 2026, according to a report by Legit.ng. These settings control background processes, display refresh rate, and Bluetooth audio, among other functions. Activating Developer options requires only a few taps in the phone's settings, but some features carry trade-offs users should know about before enabling them.
How to Enable Developer Options on Android
To access the Developer options menu, users must first activate it. The process is straightforward:
- Open Settings.
- Tap About phone.
- Find Build number.
- Tap it seven times.
- Follow the prompt.
- Return to Settings and open System > Developer options.
The exact menu names may vary by phone brand and Android version. Once enabled, users can explore the six settings detailed below.
Six Developer Settings to Improve Android Performance
1. Limit background processes
This setting controls how many apps can continue running in the background. Users can go to Settings > Developer options > Background process limit and select "No background processes." This can reduce background activity and free system resources. However, some notifications may arrive later, and apps may restart when opened.
2. Enable USB debugging
USB debugging lets an Android phone communicate with a computer through a USB connection. Users can go to Developer options and turn on USB debugging. Those who work with ADB can also enable "Disable adb authorization timeout." USB debugging does not improve performance but can help with troubleshooting and recovering a phone.
3. Reduce animation speed
Reducing animation time can make a phone feel faster. Users can go to Developer options > Transition animation scale and select "Animation scale .5x." This shortens screen transitions and makes apps and menus appear to open faster, although it does not increase the phone's actual processing speed.
4. Monitor memory usage
Android lets users check how much memory their apps are using. Go to Developer options > Memory and enable memory usage profiling, where available. Select "1 day" to monitor usage. This can help identify apps consuming large amounts of memory. Users can turn the feature off after checking their phone's performance.
5. Disable absolute volume
This setting is useful for people who regularly use Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. Go to Developer options and enable "Disable absolute volume." It separates the phone's volume from the Bluetooth device's volume, giving users more control over audio levels.
6. Force peak refresh rate
Phones with high-refresh-rate screens can automatically lower their refresh rate to save battery. Go to Developer options and enable "Force peak refresh rate," if supported. This can make scrolling and animations smoother, but it can also increase battery consumption.
Trade-offs and Recommendations
While these settings can make a phone feel faster, users should be aware of the trade-offs. Limiting background processes may delay notifications, forcing peak refresh rate can drain the battery faster, and reducing animations does not improve actual processing speed. Users should avoid changing unfamiliar developer settings because some can affect how the phone operates.
For most people, reducing animation speed is the simplest way to make an Android phone feel faster, while the other options provide additional performance and customisation controls. As reported by Legit.ng, a few changes in Android Developer options can make apps, menus, and scrolling feel faster and smoother.
