Samsung TV Developer Mode: Complete Setup Guide

Developer Mode on Samsung TVs unlocks powerful features for app developers and power users, including the ability to install custom apps and debug applications.

What Developer Mode Enables

• Install apps via Tizen Studio
• Debug web applications remotely
• Access the Web Inspector for app testing
• Monitor TV performance and resource usage
• Test apps before publishing to Samsung store

Prerequisites

• Samsung Smart TV (2016 or later with Tizen OS)
• Samsung Developer Account (free at developer.samsung.com)
• PC on the same Wi-Fi network

Enabling Developer Mode

Step 1: Create Samsung Developer Account

Visit developer.samsung.com and create a free account. Verify your email address to activate the account.

Step 2: Open Apps on Your TV

Press the Home button and navigate to the Apps section on your Samsung TV.

Step 3: Enter Secret Code

Using your remote, press 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 quickly. A Developer Mode dialog will appear.

Step 4: Configure Developer Mode

Toggle Developer Mode to ON. Enter the IP address of your development PC. Press OK to save.

Step 5: Restart the TV

Power off and power on your Samsung TV. Developer Mode will be active after restart.

Step 6: Verify Connection

Open Tizen Studio on your PC and connect to the TV using its IP address. Run sdb connect <TV_IP> to verify.

Using the Web Inspector

Device Manager Setup

In Tizen Studio: 1. Open Device Manager (Tools > Device Manager) 2. Click "Remote Device Manager" 3. Click "+" to add a new device 4. Enter: Name (any), IP (TV IP), Port (26101) 5. Click "Add" then "Connect"

Security Considerations

• Developer Mode bypasses some security restrictions
• Only enable when actively developing
• Disable Developer Mode when not in use
• Do not share your TV's IP address publicly

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Developer Mode slow down my TV?

Developer Mode itself does not impact performance. However, debug logging and connected development tools may use additional resources.

Will Developer Mode survive firmware updates?

Developer Mode settings may be reset after a firmware update. You may need to re-enable it following the same steps.

Can I use Developer Mode without Tizen Studio?

Some features like sdb commands work without the full IDE, but Tizen Studio is recommended for the complete development experience.