Disabling USB Debugging mode on Android devices


This article applies to:

  • Trustwave Mobile Security
  • Android devices

Question:

  • How do I disable USB Debugging mode on Android devices?

Background:

Trustwave recommends that mobile devices should not be set to USB Debugging mode. When a device is in USB Debugging mode, a computer connected to the device can read all data, run commands, and install or remove apps. The security of the device settings and data could be compromised.

Procedure:

To disable USB Debugging mode: 

  1. Go to Settings and scroll to the System section (on Android 8 and above, go to Settings > System)
  2. Tap Developer Options.
  3. Tap the button to toggle developer options Off. USB Debugging is included in the Developer Options.
  • Access to developer options is disabled and not visible on most devices until it is enabled on a different screen. If you do not see Developer Options under System, then developer options are disabled.

Notes:

Trustwave strongly recommends that all Developer Options should be disabled. However, advanced users can control individual settings in Developer Options, including the USB Debugging option. For more details about managing Developer Options, see the Related Link below.


Last Modified 10/16/2017.
https://support.trustwave.com/kb/KnowledgebaseArticle20931.aspx