How to enable Developer Mode on iPhone
Updated
To enable Developer Mode on iOS 16 or later: open Settings → Privacy & Security → Developer Mode, turn it on, and tap Restart. After the iPhone restarts, tap Turn On in the prompt and enter your passcode. If the option is missing, connect the device to a Mac running Xcode or install a development-signed app first.
Step by step
- Open Settings → Privacy & Security.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Developer Mode.
- Turn the switch on and tap Restart.
- After the restart and unlock, an alert asks to turn on Developer Mode — tap Turn On and enter your passcode.
Developer Mode isn't in Settings
iOS hides the switch until the device has been used for development. To make it appear, either:
- connect the iPhone to a Mac with Xcode and select it as a run destination, or
- try to open a development-signed app on it — iOS then shows the option.
Do your testers need it?
Usually not. Developer Mode is only needed to run development-signed builds (the Debugging export in Xcode). Apps from the App Store and TestFlight don't need it, and neither do ad-hoc or enterprise builds shared through an install link. If you're sending a build to testers, export it with Release Testing (ad hoc) so they don't have to touch this setting.
Turning it off
Go back to Settings → Privacy & Security → Developer Mode and switch it off. Development-signed apps stop opening until you turn it on again.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Developer Mode on iPhone?
Settings → Privacy & Security → Developer Mode, at the bottom of the list, on iOS 16 and later.
Why don't I see Developer Mode?
iOS shows it only after the device is connected to Xcode or a development-signed app is installed.
Do ad-hoc builds need Developer Mode?
No. Developer Mode is required for development-signed apps; ad-hoc, enterprise, TestFlight and App Store apps run without it.
Is Developer Mode safe?
It lowers some protections so locally built apps can run. Keep it off unless you develop or debug apps on the device.