iOS Developer Mode (2024)

Learn how to enable iOS developer mode on iOS 16 and above to run internal distribution builds and local development builds.

This does not apply to builds signed using enterprise provisioning or to any builds installed on an iOS Simulator.

Devices running iOS 16 and above need to enable OS-level Developer Mode setting before they can run internal distribution builds (including those built with EAS) or local development builds after installing them on the device.

There are two ways you can enable Developer Mode on your device:

Directly on an iOS device
By connecting an iOS device with a Mac that has Xcode installed

Prerequisites

The instructions specified below need to be followed once per device.

Enable Developer Mode

Directly on an iOS device

To follow the steps below, install your development build on your device before enabling the Developer Mode. When the build is created, follow the instructions on the Expo dashboard to install it on your iOS device.

Once the build is installed on your device, press the app icon. This will open an alert asking you to enable Developer Mode. Press OK.

Connect an iOS device with a Mac

Note: Xcode must be installed on the Mac device before following the steps below.

You don't need to install the development build on your iOS device first to enable Developer Mode by connecting it to a Mac. You can:

Connect your iOS device to a Mac using a USB cable. Press Trust on your iOS device when Trust This Computer? alert is prompted.

Open Xcode, and from the menu bar, navigate to Window > Devices and Simulators.

Under Devices, you'll see a warning "Previous preparation error: Developer Mode disabled" with instructions on enabling Developer Mode on the iOS device.

On the iOS device, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Developer Mode.

Enable the toggle. You will receive a prompt from iOS to restart your device. Press Restart.

After the device restarts, unlock your device. A system alert should appear. Press Turn On, and enter your device's passcode when prompted.

Developer Mode is now enabled. You can now interact with your internal distribution builds and local development builds.

You can turn off Developer Mode at any time. However, you'll need to repeat this same process to re-enable it.

FAQs

What is the disadvantage of developer mode in iOS? ›

Majority of iOS users are not developers and they don't require any features related to app development. Any device with developer features are easy target to any attacks. If developer mode is enabled, people may accidentally install harmful applications on their device which gives lots of space to attacks.

Is developer mode safe on an iPhone? ›

🌟 FAQs about enabling Developer Mode on your iOS device! (a thread)📱💪 Q: Is it safe to enable Developer Mode on my iOS device? A: Yes, it's generally safe, but there are some risks to be aware of.

How to trust an untrusted developer on an iPhone? ›

Testers will see the message Untrusted Enterprise Developer when running an app from an untrusted certificate and can trust it by following the steps outlined below on their device. Navigate to Settings > General > Device Management. Select the developer under the ENTERPRISE APPS section. Press Trust [Developer].

Discover More Details ›

How do I force developer mode on my iPhone? ›

Go to the Settings app, and navigate to Privacy & Security > Developer Mode. Enable the toggle. You will receive a prompt from iOS to restart your device.

Find Out More ›

Is it good to put phone in developer mode? ›

Are There Any Risks to Enabling Them? For most typical users who simply want to adjust a few interface animations or performance tweaks, the developer options generally pose little security risk. The functionality is built directly into Android as trusted system settings.

Learn More Now ›

Is it okay to stay in developer mode? ›

Enabling developer options can lead to unexpected behaviors, such as increased battery usage, sluggish device performance, or audio issues.

Keep Reading ›

Can you get banned for using developer mode? ›

You will not get banned, just use it for yourself or together with friends to have like a creative mode going on. I recently made a guide about console commands and such, completely safe. Just, if you downloaded WeMod for example, close the whole application first before playing another game like CS:GO.

Tell Me More ›

What are the benefits of iOS developer mode? ›

iOS Developer Mode is a mode on Apple devices that is available to developers and provides them with advanced features and tools to develop and test apps. The benefits of this mode include the ability to test apps on real devices, access to advanced debugging tools and the ability to develop and debug apps faster.

What are the cons of developer mode? ›

Here are some of the cons you should know before enabling developer mode on your Chromebook.

You May Void the Warranty. Google does not officially support developer mode. ...
You'll Wipe Your Laptop. ...
The Operating System Is Less Secure. ...
Slower (and Uglier) Boot Screen.

May 1, 2024

Tell Me More ›

How do I remove untrusted certificates from my iPhone? ›

When an OCSP- or CRL-enabled certificate is used, iOS, iPadOS, and macOS periodically validate it to make sure that it hasn't been revoked. To manually remove an installed certificate, go to Settings > General > Device Management, select a profile, tap More Details, then tap the certificate to remove it.

How do I disable developer mode? ›

If you want to disable Developer Mode, you do so directly on the device. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Developer Mode to show the Developer Mode toggle switch. Like enabling, disabling Developer Mode requires a device reboot before it becomes effective.