Android's open-source nature is one of the main factors that has helped the operating system usher among enthusiasts. However, it's also one of the ways scammers have taken advantage of phones, wiping money and gaining access to phones. But that could change soon, as the Developer Options menu could be locked behind Android's Advanced Protection Mode.
Advanced Protection Mode Could Get New Features
Spotted first by Android Authority upon tearing down the latest Google Play Services APK version 26.25.21, Advanced Protection Mode could soon automatically disable existing developer options or prevent the menu from being activated in the first place.
_jpg.webp "Advanced Protection Mode Android settings menu")
The team discovered code strings "aapm_developer_options_disabled" and "aapm_developer-options_disabled_summary". These suggest that Google is currently working on wiring this restriction with Advanced Protection Mode on Android.
While its release timeline remains uncertain, the feature may roll out in future Android 17 QPR Beta versions of Android on Google Pixel phones first. Considering Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 recently dropped, it could arrive in the next Beta update.
For those unaware, Advanced Protection Mode was rolled out as one of the flagship Android 16 features to offer advanced protection on Android. Currently, the feature blocks sideloading, 2G networks and unauthorised USB access to connected devices. Adding developer options should make Android even more secure from bad actors.
For starters, by blocking access to Developer Options, external threats cannot gain access to the core parts of Android, like gaining access to wireless debugging to execute backend commands, or triggering OEM unlock to bypass the phone's bootloader. There are many ways this menu can be exploited, which will be blocked by Advanced Protection Mode.
While this may ring a bell for enthusiasts as a threat to Android's openness, given Advanced Protection Mode lives as a toggle in the Settings app, it's pretty much a given that the feature will be completely optional. That said, it could help immensely to regular day-to-day users who couldn't care less about unlocking their bootloaders or flashing custom ROMs.
