How to enable Developer Mode on an iPhone or iPad

A flower that represents Apple with the text "Enable Developer Mode beneath it."

Open Settings, select Privacy & Security, press Developer Mode, turn on Developer Mode, restart your device and confirm using your passcode.

Please note that:

The featured screenshots are for an iPhone, but the steps apply for iPad.
We have validated that this tutorial works for iOS 16 and iOS 17 as well as iPadOS 16 and iPadOS 17.
If you have issues finding developer mode on your device, please scroll down to the FAQ found at the bottom of the page to learn how to solve your problem.

Origin

Developer Mode, introduced in iOS 16 and watchOS 9, protects people from inadvertently installing potentially harmful software on their devices, and reduces attack vectors exposed by developer-only functionality. The feature doesn’t affect ordinary installation techniques like buying apps from the App Store, or participating in a TestFlight team. Instead, Developer Mode focuses on scenarios like performing a Build and Run in Xcode, or installing an .ipa file with Apple Configurator. In these cases, the device explicitly asks the person using it to confirm that they’re a developer, aware of the risks of installing development-signed software.

Tutorial

Step One: Open Settings

A screenshot of the settings app on an iPhone.

In your iPhone or iPad, open up the Settings app.

Step Two: Select Privacy & Security

A screenshot of the settings app on iPhone, with a highlight on the Privacy & Security menu option.

Scroll down and select Privacy & Security.

Step Three: Select Developer Mode

A screenshot of the Privacy & Security view within the settings app, with a highlight on Developer Mode.

Scroll to the bottom and select Developer Mode under SECURITY.

Step Four: Turn on Developer Mode

A screenshot of the Developer Mode view within the settings app, with a highlight on the flip switch.

Press the flip switch next to Developer Mode to activate Developer Mode.

Step Five: Restart

A screenshot of the Developer Mode view within the Settings app, demonstrating the modal that appears after you turn on developer mode. This modal includes two options "Restart" or "Cancel." We have highlighted "Restart."

In the modal that appears, press Restart to activate Developer Mode.

Step Six: Confirm

A screenshot of an iPhone landing, with an alert that appears after turning on developer mode. This alert asks you to confirm that you wish to turn on Developer Mode. We have highlighted "Turn On."

After restarting, unlock your iPhone or iPad and press Turn On in the alert that appears.

Can't find Developer Mode ?

Please consult our article linked below to troubleshoot activating the developer mode functionality on an iPhone or iPad.

Any Questions?

We are actively looking for feedback on how to improve this resource. Please send us a note to inquiries@delasign.com with any thoughts or feedback you may have.