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Preparing the device

Three settings on the device, once and for all. After that, everything happens on its own.

A computer with Chrome or Edge
A cable between the device and the computer
The device you want to block
1

Open a hidden menu in Settings

The device’s Settings contain a menu that is hidden on purpose. You open it by tapping one line repeatedly: seven times in a row. After a few taps a small counter appears, and at the end a message says the menu is now open.

Settings→About phone→Build number
Your model The exact path by manufacturer — Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo, Vivo and others
Not there? Look for a line with a long version number — that is the one
2

Turn on one switch in that menu

This switch lets the computer talk to the device over the cable. Without it, the computer cannot see the device at all.

Settings→Developer options→USB debugging
Your model The exact path by manufacturer

An alarming warning will appear

This is normal — tap OK.

3

Xiaomi only — one more switch

On Xiaomi devices the previous switch is not enough: without the extra switch, the installation stops. On every other device, skip this step.

Developer options→USB debugging (Security settings)

This is where almost everyone gets stuck

Xiaomi requires a Xiaomi account signed in on the device before this switch can be turned on, and sometimes a wait of several hours as well. This is their restriction, and there is no way around it. If the switch is grayed out, sign in to an account and wait.

4

Connect the cable and confirm on the screen

Connect the device to the computer. Within a second or two, a confirmation request appears on the device’s screen. Check the box, then tap Allow.

This request appears only the first time. After that, the device already knows the computer, and there is nothing to confirm.

The device is charging but no request appears?

It is usually the cable: some cheap cables are made for charging only. Switch to the cable that came in the box. If that does not help, unplug it, plug it in again, and keep the device’s screen on and unlocked.

That’s it — the preparation is done

The settings you turned on here stay on: this is how we work on the device from now on.

Go to the blocking page

By device type

The steps are the same on every device. Only the path through the menus changes — find your model here.

Samsung

Galaxy, all models

Step 1 — the hidden menu

Settings→About phone→Software information→Build number

Step 2 — the switch

Settings→Developer options→USB debugging
Developer options appears at the bottom of the main Settings list.

Xiaomi

Also Redmi and Poco

Step 1 — the hidden menu

Settings→About phone→MIUI version

Step 2 — the switch

Settings→Additional settings→Developer options→USB debugging
On newer models the line has a different name — look for OS version. On Xiaomi only, a second switch is also needed, along with a signed-in Xiaomi account: that is step 3 above.

Huawei

Also Honor

Step 1 — the hidden menu

Settings→About phone→Build number

Step 2 — the switch

Settings→System & updates→Developer options→USB debugging
If the computer does not detect the device, also turn on Allow ADB debugging in charge only mode on the same screen.

Oppo and Realme

Also recent OnePlus models

Step 1 — the hidden menu

Settings→About phone→Version→Build number

Step 2 — the switch

Settings→Additional settings→Developer options→USB debugging
The device will ask for your screen lock code before the switch turns on. This is normal.

Vivo

Also iQOO

Step 1 — the hidden menu

Settings→System management→About phone→Software version→Build number

Step 2 — the switch

Settings→More settings→Developer options→USB debugging

Stock Android

Pixel, Motorola, Nokia

Step 1 — the hidden menu

Settings→About phone→Build number

Step 2 — the switch

Settings→System→Developer options→USB debugging

Unbranded device

Music players, budget tablets, lesser-known brands

Step 1 — the hidden menu

Settings→About phone→the line with the longest number

Step 2 — the switch

Settings→Developer options→USB debugging
On these devices the wording of the menus often differs from what is shown here. There is no need to match the exact words — look for the line with the long number and tap it seven times. If there is no Developer options line in the main list, look under System.
A fuller external guide, by manufacturer

A more detailed guide, covering more manufacturers and more versions. It is not ours — we link to it for anyone whose model is not listed here.

If something is not working

The hidden menu does not open after seven taps

The wrong line was probably tapped. Look for a line with a long version number and tap it seven times in quick succession.

The installation stops with a message about a security restriction

This is a Xiaomi device and the extra switch is off. Go back to step 3.

There are accounts on the device — do they need to be removed?

No. The accounts stay where they are. During setup a few apps are switched off for a moment and come back right afterwards.

If the device still refuses, it usually has a second user or a work profile — those do need to be removed in Settings.

The computer cannot find the device

Usually another program on the computer has already claimed it: close any other windows of the same page, unplug the cable and plug it in again, and close any phone management software.

The blocking page checks by itself and tells you exactly what is missing.

Out of ideas

Send us the model name and the Android version, and we will walk you through it. Asking is better than struggling on.