# Developer Mode Toggle Solution for Banking Apps

Practical fix for using banking apps when developer mode is enabled

- **Source:** [Developing Android Apps](https://brifing.si/source/aa76b6c1-28c1-49f8-967e-b6a0eeadfa86)
- **Published:** 2026-07-19
- **Topic:** [Product Management](https://brifing.si/c/product)
- **Original article:** <https://www.reddit.com/r/androiddev/comments/1v0ivad/i_got_so_irritated_by_the_bankingupi_apps/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8d2e3ddd-4f3d-4923-9b18-a3a933b15f9f

## Root of the Problem

Many banking and UPI apps refuse to work when phone's developer mode is active. This forces users to repeatedly navigate settings to toggle the mode off. The tedious process wastes significant time, especially for those who want to preserve their developer customizations between banking sessions.

## Technical Hurdles

Programmatically changing developer mode requires WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS permission - a system-level access that normal apps can't request directly. Manual ADB commands are needed to grant it, making the solution inaccessible for average users despite its potential to solve a widespread pain point.

## Discovered Solution

Once WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS permission is granted, developer mode can be toggled with a single click. Users can quickly disable mode before banking transactions and re-enable afterward. No more lengthy settings navigation for what should be a simple toggle operation on modern smartphones.

## User-Friendly Interface

The solution includes both a homescreen widget and quick settings tile. The widget enables one-tap toggling while the tile provides access from notification panel. Both options are customizable based on user preference, fitting different workflow styles for maximum convenience.

## Community Contribution

The project was published as fully open-source (MIT licensed) and submitted to F-droid. Years of Android development experience culminated in this gift back to the community. Now all users facing similar frustrations can access the solution freely, embodying the spirit of collaborative tech development.

## UX Revolution

This innovation brings major convenience for users who frequently switch between developer mode and banking apps. Repetitive setting changes become obsolete while maintaining security measures. It represents a small but impactful revolution in mobile user experience - proving that sometimes the most valuable solutions address overlooked everyday frustrations.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.reddit.com/r/androiddev/comments/1v0ivad/i_got_so_irritated_by_the_bankingupi_apps/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
