Desktop mode and developer option

sec_priv-ano1

Hi everyone,
I want to use desktop mode but it requires me to enable developer option and I read that developer option is not recommended because it will increase attack surface.

Does anyone here use desktop mode? Do you guys keep developer option enabled?

de0u

sec_priv-ano1 Given the complexity of the USB stack (including the code to run an external display), desktop mode does add attack surface. But it's useful to many people (as are other things that add attack surface, such as cellular data, Wi-Fi, and installing apps).

So far I am unaware of specific attacks on this code base. One way to reduce risk would be to use only monitors you own, and arguably to use only "monitor monitors", as opposed to "smart TV" monitors.

mmobder

yes

doublefree

IIRC you can enable desktop mode and disable developer options (like OEM unlocking).

Enable developer options
Disable developer options
Scroll down and enable desktop mode

IDK if this behavior is a bug or feature tough.

Also note that incorrectly disabling desktop mode breaks mirroring.

sec_priv-ano1

doublefree
I can confirm this method works. Thank you so much!

Bimmy

Thanks for bringing this up. I was already drafting a post on this.

doublefree Enable developer options
Disable developer options

Does anyone know what governs this toggle? I'm asking because I currently have one Pixel 8 that allows this immediate re-disabling of the developer options, while another doesn't.

In the latter case it brings up a popup necessitating a reboot as part of disabling developer options and effectively makes it impossible to keep the desktop experience toggle active.

I visually inspected and compared whole developer options menu side-by-side and don't see any difference.

Anyone an idea what could lead to this deviation?

doublefree

Bimmy Both running GOS?

Bimmy

doublefree
Yes, both tested with same release (last stable 202512..., Not yet retested with 202601...).

spammerofspam

I just tried this out the other day. Is there a trick to get it to show additional resolutions? I used a monitor that runs at 4K60 with no issue on my laptop. However, unplugging the USB C cable from my laptop and into my Pixel 9 Pro wouldn't allow selection of any resolution above 1080. Same cable and monitor work fine at 4K60 on a Windows laptop.