USB Debugging option greyed out

Question

I have an LG-E405 phone running Android 2.3.6.

I connected my phone with a USB cable and selected the mode as Charge Only.

Now when I try to turn on USB Debugging, I find that that the option is greyed out.

So, how can I enable USB debugging in this case.

This question appears to be off-topic because it is about using an Android and is more appropriate for http://android.stackexchange.com/ — Dan S, Oct 22 '14 at 17:09
Yes, I have requested a moderator intervene to migrate the question. — Dan S, Oct 24 '14 at 17:03
@DanS While this question may be good for android.se, it is not really off-topic here since it pertains directly to needs of a developer for testing/debugging. "software tools commonly used by programmers" from the help center which is linked to close the question. — codeMagic, Nov 07 '14 at 19:44
If you have 'My Knox' installed, disable or uninstall it and try to activate USB debugging again. — jossiwolf, Mar 09 '16 at 10:15
INDEED this is NOT off-topic. Solving this problem is crucial to getting to the point where one CAN ask a question about programming. See @Gene's Answer below, — DSlomer64, Jul 22 '16 at 12:34
In case you are using Samsung and have MyKnox installed, you cannot enable USB-Debugging until you uninstall MyKnox as stated in [This Link](http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4/general/usb-debugging-greyed-heres-t3000049) — Dumisani, Aug 09 '16 at 16:17

score 366 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 10 '13 at 05:46

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You have to enable USB debugging before plugging your device in to the computer. Unplug device then try to enable USB debugging. This should work. If so, you can then plug it back into the computer and it should work

answered Jan 10 '13 at 05:46

codeMagic

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Thanks for the reply. I tried your suggestion. But still am facing the same problem – Hashken Jan 10 '13 at 05:59
That's strange, that should have worked. My next suggestion would simply be to restart the phone and see if that helps. It's not an AT&T phone by any chance, is it? I only ask because I know that they don't allow third party apps. They have to come from the Google Play store...I learned that the hard way. But I wouldn't think they would do anything with the debugging but you never know – codeMagic Jan 10 '13 at 06:06
It's not an AT&T phone. And, restarting the phone did not help. – Hashken Jan 10 '13 at 06:11
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I had to put it in PTP mode - crazy stuff :) – slott Aug 24 '15 at 10:51
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thanks @slott, after hours debugging (or not debugging) i found your comment :) – daviestar Oct 19 '15 at 17:40
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For a S7 Edge Disable My Knox =) – PathToLife Apr 02 '16 at 13:09
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AND, once USB Debugging checkbox is checked, hook up USB cable to computer. Then LOOK for dialog box on device with checkbox indicating that it is OK to debug when linked to the computer. Check it. – DSlomer64 Jul 22 '16 at 12:25
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Correct answer. Key was to unplug from computer. – Steven K Jul 22 '16 at 15:42
thanks @codeMagic. But I am a developer in customized BSP. Once i do Fullpackageupdate, i have to factory reset through adb. But problem is it will disable the USD debugging as soon as it flashed. – Humble_PrOgRaMeR Jun 17 '17 at 06:49
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Such a simple solution to a stupid problem. Worked for me! Thanks. It is also worth noting that I had to have my phone in MTP connection mode. I think PTP works as well as @slott mentioned. – Jeff.H Feb 12 '18 at 17:42
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And for the less detail oriented among us (me), this is selecting the actual USB debugging option within developer options, not enabling developer options themselves. :) – William T. Mallard Apr 10 '18 at 17:08
@WilliamT.Mallard this is a good point. This answer was written before they started hiding Dev options. – codeMagic Apr 10 '18 at 17:10

score 38 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

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Finally figured out the solution to the problem, with the help of this post.

When you connect your phone to your PC, using the USB cable, select the mode as PC Software.

Now you should be able to enable USB Debugging.

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

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answered Jan 10 '13 at 10:13

Hashken

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Equivalently, go to `Settings -> Connectivity -> Default Mode -> PC Software`. (Worked for me) – Tim Kuipers Jan 03 '15 at 19:54
On Usb pc connection->Settings-> install pc drivers worked for me. – Burak Akyıldız Jun 06 '17 at 11:13

score 17 · Answer 3 · edited Jul 22 '16 at 15:08

How to Enable USB Debugging for LG Optimus (LGD415). Android version 4.4.2 (KitKat)
Go to this website and download the drivers to your phone:
http://www.lg.com/us/support/mobile-support
For example, mine would be:
http://www.lg.com/us/support-mobile/lg-LGD415RD. Then click on “Software Update & Drivers”

On your phone, you need to enable USB debugging. To do so,
Go to “Settings”.
Go to “About Phone”
Go to “Software Information”
Tap “Build number” five times.
A pop-up will appear saying “You are now a developer”. Your’re not done yet.

Go back to your phone’s home page by pushing the home button.
Go to “Settings”.
Go to “Developer options”
Click the “USB debugging- Turn on debug mode when USB is connected”. A blue checkmark will appear.

(EDIT: If USB Debugging is greyed out, unplug your phone. USB Debugging should no longer be greyed out. If it is not greyed out, check the box and plug your phone into your PC.)

Unplug your phone from your PC. Then plug it back in. On the pop-up, make sure you set it to “Media Sync (MTP)”.

Now your phone will show up on an option when you want to run your app in Eclipse.

(Look for dialog box on phone and agree to allow debugging connection with your computer.)

(Also, go to Control Panel | Device Manager and make sure there are TWO entries for your phone, similar to those expanded below.)

score 15 · Answer 4 · answered Jan 29 '14 at 19:45

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Unplug your phone from the PC and go to develop options and now here you can enable USB debugging. if you connect USB and try to enable debugging it will not enable and follow TMacGyver is right it works for me using choose PC connection.

answered Jan 29 '14 at 19:45

Tycoon

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Yup. For LG X Screen, probably work on similar models, K5 etc – msamardzic Mar 12 '17 at 15:56

oriadam · Answer 5 · 2018-03-13T12:58:24.840

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This worked for me:

Changing USB connection to File Transfer
Turn off developer options
Turn it back on
USB Debugging option came back to life

edited Mar 13 '18 at 12:58

answered Oct 03 '17 at 10:00

oriadam

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score 5 · Answer 6 · answered Jan 28 '14 at 02:57

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Unplug your phone from the your computer, then choose PC Software as PC Connection Type. Then go into Developer Options and select USB Debugging

answered Jan 28 '14 at 02:57

TMacGyver

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score 4 · Answer 7 · answered Jan 10 '17 at 21:40

Just ran into this on the LG Rebel LTE (LGL44VL). As other answers note, you need to change the USB connection mode to PTP. But my phone's control panels were different from stock Android and didn't have such an option.

The option was hiding in a notification that appeared when I plugged the phone in. I had to open the notification tray and tap a notification labeled

Media Device (MTP)
Tap here for more USB options

score 2 · Answer 8 · answered Jul 25 '14 at 06:19

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Try selecting the default mode as Internet connection.

Go to Settings -> Connectivity -> Default Mode -> Internet Connection.

Now enable the USB Debugging mode under Applications -> Development -> USB Debugging.

It worked for me.

answered Jul 25 '14 at 06:19

Swetha

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Many solutions I've seen suggest setting the connection to "PC Software", but that was not an option. I tried *everything*, until I set it to Internet Connection (then Ethernet on the next screen) it just wouldn't recognize as a debuggable device. – Bretton Wade Aug 02 '14 at 23:31

Mr. B. · Answer 9 · 2016-10-19T15:27:10.827

After countless attempts, I found the following quote:

If you are using My KNOX, you cannot enable USB debugging mode while the container is installed. Unfortunately, you have to root your device ... - continue reading

Furthermore make sure:

your USB-cable works
your connection type is MTP (or PTP in some cases)
to enable USB debugging before pluging your device via USB-cable

I switched to another device without KNOX (not rooted as well) to save time. Maybe this quote will save someone some time. It was the only explanation to me in this case.

Cheers!

score 1 · Answer 10 · answered Dec 24 '13 at 19:40

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FYI My Motorola Xyboard had an "Off" icon at the top of developer options. Once I tapped that it worked.

answered Dec 24 '13 at 19:40

sevensevens

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score 1 · Answer 11 · answered Sep 28 '16 at 08:10

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Connect the phone to a PC, make sure your developer options are enabled. Then, connection type must be MTP or File Transfer. Charge only does not allow USB debugging(disables the option).

answered Sep 28 '16 at 08:10

Bharath Kannan

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johnrpenner · Answer 12 · 2017-05-09T02:03:44.010

I had an LG Android phone, and could not get USB to work with Windows, even after trying the following:

Settings > About phone > Software info
Tap 'Build number' 7x, and Activate Developer mode
Settings > Developer options > USB debugging [ON]
Settings > Developer options > Select USB Configuration > MTP
Plug into Windows PC with USB cable.

It DOES show the phone as charging via USB (so the plug must be OK), but it does not show up under 'This PC' in Windows File Explorer as a Device/Drive.. grrr.

Turns out that not all USB cables are the same — some USB cable manufacturers only make their cable with 2wires instead of 4wires, so that they will charge, but not pass data through the cable — so if software solutions do not appear to be working, try changing the USB cable (!).

im writing this here so that maybe someone else doesnt have to waste half an hour figuring out that some USB cable manufacturer doesnt include all 4 wires in their USB cables... grrr.

score 1 · Answer 13 · answered May 14 '17 at 16:03

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I have a feeling that if you have a corporate phone, your corporation IT might also be blocking USB Debugging. I've tried all the different connection modes and the USB Debugging option remains firmly greyed out.

I'm trying to get in to enable the BATTERY_STATS for GSam Monitor Pro, but I think it's disable through the Airwatch MDM software my company makes me use. They pay for it so I guess I'm stuck.

answered May 14 '17 at 16:03

Jim

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I had this problem with Airwatch installed – Cocowalla Oct 04 '17 at 07:51

score 0 · Answer 14 · edited Nov 25 '16 at 08:01

To enable USB debbuging you have to enable developer option

Go to about device or tablet then
Click build number 7 times to enable developer option
Now go to developer option scroll down until you see USB debbuging option

Now if you have shaded usb debbuging and it is not turning on

Click on the search button on top right corner
Search USB
Click on USB computer connection
Check the MTP

Now you can enjoy your sharing ...

enter image description here

score 0 · Answer 15 · answered Jun 10 '19 at 18:58

Just ran into this issue on a current LG phone on a windows computer. Everything from developer options was enabled correctly, but wasn't able to see the device through ABD. Needed install drivers which I was able to do from the phone.

After connecting through USB and allowing the connection, I tapped the USB connection type notification and on the screen where you select the type of USB connection (MTP, PTP, etc..) I tapped the three dot icon in the top right hand corner of the screen and selected to install the PC drivers. After installing the drivers on my PC I was able to connect through ABD to debug.

USB Debugging option greyed out

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