Android Demo Mode: What It Is & How to Use It

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Learn about Demo Mode and how to get it on your Android phone

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: June 13, 2025 Fact Checked

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• What is Demo Mode?
|
• Enabling Demo Mode
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• Can I use Demo Mode?
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• Demo Mode Alternatives
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• Disabling Demo Mode
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• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

Android Demo Mode, also known as Retail Mode, is a special mode used on Android phone and tablet models sold in retail stores. Starting with Android 8.1, Demo Mode is no longer available on most personal devices. Read on to learn more about demo mode on Android, including how to enable or disable it (if supported) on your phone or tablet. If Demo Mode is no longer available on your Android, we'll also cover some alternatives.

How do you enable demo mode on Android?

Demo Mode allowed retailers to display Android devices without the risk of people installing apps or changing settings. With Android 8.1, Demo Mode is no longer available on most Androids. If your Android still has Demo Mode, you can enable or disable it in Settings > About Phone > Developer Options.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

What is Retail Demo Mode?

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1. 
   1
   Demo Mode for Android allowed customers to safely test an Android before buying. Settings and data are erased every day, so no one can come into a store, set up an account on the phone, or install apps. Retail companies, like AT&T retail locations, now use other software that allows them to set up Android phones for display.

   • It's not possible to access retailers' specific versions of Demo Mode.
   • One way retailers use Demo Mode is to set the brightness to the highest setting so the phone looks as bright and clear as possible. Even if a user changes this setting, it will revert to the highest setting once the phone resets.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

How to Enable Demo Mode (Android 7 and Earlier)

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1. 
   1
   Go to your Android's settings. If you're using an older Android, you may still be able to enable demo mode on your Android. There are two ways to get to your settings:

   • Swipe down to open the notification panel, and tap on the settings icon.
   • Find the device's settings app in the app menu.
2. 
   2
   Tap About Phone. Usually, you'll need to scroll down to the very bottom.
3. 
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   Tap Software Info and tap 7 times on "Build Number." This will enable developer options.

   • On some phones, like Samsung, you'll see a counter showing how many times you've clicked.
   • Click the back arrow to navigate back to the main settings menu.
4. 
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   Tap Developer Options. It should be just under or on top of "About Phone".
5. 
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   Tap Demo Mode. Enable it, and you're finished!
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Can I enable demo mode on my Android?

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1. 
   1
   Most likely not. You used to be able to go to Developer Options and enable Demo Mode, but that method no longer works since Android 8.1. Enterprise phones, or phones displayed for retail, might use Demo Mode so customers can try out the phone before purchasing it.

   • You might see Demo Mode available in Developer Options, but tapping it will display the message "Demo Mode isn't supported on this device."

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Demo Mode Alternatives

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1. 
   1
   Try Demo Mode apps. Since Android 8.1, phones that aren't part of an enterprise and don't have special software installed cannot use Demo Mode. If you are part of an organization and are trying to initiate Demo Mode, see your IT department so they can edit the code necessary in Android Device Manager.

   • You can find a lot of apps on the Google Play Store that imitate Retail Demo Mode, like Demo Mode Settings.
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

How to Turn Off Demo Mode

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1. 
   1
   Open your Android settings. You can do this in two ways:

   • Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel and tap the gear icon.
   • Tap the app icon that features a gear.
2. 
   2
   Tap Developer options. It's the last item on the menu.
3. 
   3
   Tap Demo mode to disable it. You'll see a message that the mode has been disabled. In many cases, Demo Mode will no longer be an option when the phone is set up.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  Where can I find demo mode on my mobile phone?

  

  Community Answer

  Try looking through the Developer section of the settings, which a lot of phones have.

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