Developer mode unlocks deeper Chromebook customization, like installing Linux distros or testing system-level changes. Here’s how to turn it on.
Warning: Entering Developer Mode performs a factory reset and deletes all local files and settings on your Chromebook. Back up anything in your Downloads folder before continuing. Files stored in Google Drive are not affected.
How to Enter Developer Mode
- Turn off your Chromebook.
- Hold Esc and Refresh, then press the Power button to enter Recovery mode.
- At the Recovery screen, press Ctrl+D. There’s no visible prompt, so just press it.
- Confirm when asked, then wait for your Chromebook to reboot into Developer Mode.
How to Leave Developer Mode
- At the scary boot screen that appears every startup in Developer Mode, follow the on-screen instructions to turn it off.
- Confirm when prompted. This also performs another factory reset.
Quick Tips
- The exact key combination can vary slightly on convertible and tablet-style Chromebooks, where Refresh may be a different physical key.
- Developer Mode also disables some of ChromeOS’s built-in security protections, so only use it if you understand the trade-off.
Developer Mode opens the door to a lot more control over your Chromebook, just remember it starts with a clean slate.
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