While most people assume that the developer options, (which are among Android's hidden features), are created for Android know it all, this isn't actually true. Anyone can take advantage of this feature, just as long as they know how to use them. Here we take you through some of the ways you can use these hard to reach features to customize your Android device like a pro.

Enable Developer options on your Android device

Before you can venture into the adventure of being your own self-made developer, you will first need to enable your developer options.Simply head into Settings >> About phone, and look for the build number section. Once you find it, tap it seven times continuously. Apparently that is all it takes, because once you're done, a message notification will appear telling you that "you are now a developer", (finally!). Go back to your main settings, and then navigate towards the bottom till you see Developer options, right above the About phone section. 

Ways to customize your Android via Developer options

1. Keep display on while charger

Once this option is enabled, your device's display will remain turned on every time it's plugged in to a charger. The benefit of this is that your battery life won't really be affected, and you'll still be able to use the display for something that requires it to be active, without the need of having to constantly turn it on.However, you can still switch it off if you need to, using the power button.

2. Restrict background app activity and boost performance

With this setting, you can choose a preferred number of apps that you want to keep running in the background. You can limit the background process of as many as four apps or alternatively ensure that no apps entirely are running in the background.Because no processes will be running in the background, this means that all your apps will be stopped once you are done using them. The advantage of this is that any process that you'll be actively using will gain all of Android's resources and attention. The downside of this is that switching between apps will end up being slower.

3. kiForce MSAA 4x  to enhance gaming graphics

Activation of the kiForce MSAA 4x option greatly enhances the quality of your gaming graphics, as well as OpenGL ES 2.0 apps. The only thing you have to deal with, is excessive battery drain and the fact that the setting employs more processing power. But all in all, you'll get to enjoy smoother and more stunning graphics than ever before, which is pretty worth it.

4. Speed up the system animations

Though it doesn't exactly speed up the animations on your device, it does create a smoother and faster feel while transitioning from different tasks on your device. Simply disable all your device's animations to set it up.

5. Allow mock locations

If you've been wondering how you can fake your GPS location to avoid anyone tracking you, then this option will really come in handy. By enabling this setting, you can trick Android and any apps using GPS, into thinking you are at a location where you actually aren't.You could just as easily trick your friends or a location-tracking app and get them thinking you have teleporting powers, by faking a GPS check-in at different locations without actually going there.

6. Show CPU Usage

You can easily view CPU usage data by checking the Show CPU usage option in the Developer options. Basically the CPU usage information will float on top of any app you're using.It is recommended that you avoid enabling any parts of the developer options that you do not understand what exactly they do. Though they can be disabled, their impact on your device can be too much. Aside from the above Developer option settings, what other settings do you make use of? Let us know in the comments.

View Comments

What's my model number?

There are several ways to locate your model number:

Option 1
On your device, go to Settings, then "About device" and scroll down to "Model number"
Option 2
Often times you can view the model number inside the device, by removing the battery
Option 3
Using Samsung's model/serial number location tool

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