Google chromecast 4k

[Thms85]

Ive done the step to acces developer mode on new chromecast 4k .. but it wont open it .. any idea why 

[djtetei]

When you activate developer mode there isn't any menu that will open.

The developer options will simply appear listed under the settings menu.

[Thms85]

I understand that but noting pops up letting me  me know that i am in developer mode .. it wont let me toggle on app from unknown sources ON 

[djtetei]

Unplug the Chromecast device from the mains power grid for about 5 minutes, then power it back on.

[Thms85]

Still nothing .. Ive factory reset twice .. unplugged for 10 min then plug back in .. still nothing  

[djtetei]

To enable "install apps from unknown sources" you don't need developer mode enabled.

Furthermore, "install apps from unknown sources" is in the applications menu, not in the developer options menu.

Just to be shure: when you tap on "Android TV OS Build" do you get a message that you are already a developer? If not, tap on it 7 times.

Lastly, recently, some system applications were updated. Do you have all applications up to date?

[Thms85]

Still nothing on developer mode. 
install unknown apps is greyed out .. it wont even let me access toggle .. it this a patch on the new version 

[Thms85]

Also android build is 

Qts1.210311.017.A2.7686849

[djtetei]

Are you shure that developer mode is active? If it is active, under the settings menu you should be able to see developer options menu listed.

[Thms85]

It wont activate. I know once  u click it a few time it will say developer mode ..

[djtetei]

7 times

[Thms85]

Yes 7time .. still nothing I reformatted device 3 times still nothing 

[joelk]

I am having the same issue. I just bought a chromecast with google tv yesterday and tried hitting Android TV OS build 7 times, nothing. Restarted the device, tried again, nothing. There is no prompt saying "you are x steps from being a developer" or anything of the sort. Tried unplugging and replugging it in, did all the steps again, nothing. Then I factory reset it and had the same results. 

I thought it might have to do with the current firmware build so I exchanged it today for another unit. Same issues. Any fixes yet?

[coolifthisworks]

Hey joelk,

Just to clarify, when you exchanged it, did the new device come with a different Android TV OS build number or was it the same?

[joelk]

Hi, unfortunately I forgot to write down the build number of the first unit. The build number on my current unit is QTS1.210331.017.A2.7686849.

I spent a few hours on the phone with Google chromecast support last night and they said this issue is a first for them. The problem is being escalated to the senior support team, I will be sure to provide an update if/when it is resolved for anyone else experiencing the same issue.

[joelk]

Unfortunately I didn't write down the build number of the initial unit, but my current unit is QTS1.210311.017.A2.7686849

[djtetei]

Have you tried to contact Google support team via message board?

My device runs on the latest software update and the developer mode works.

[coolifthisworks]

Same issue here. Bought a Chromecast with Google tv yesterday. When trying to enable Developer Mode, nothing happens. As others have done, when going to Settings > System > About and then clicking on "Android TV OS build" (7 times, 10 times, 20, or some other arbitrary number) repeatedly, nothing happens. 

I've restarted, factory defaulted, whispered sweet nothings towards the device, and called it a good boy a dozen times. Nothing has worked. I am also on the previously mentioned Android TV OS build number (QTS1.210311.017.A2.7686849). 

Any idea what is going on or what a resolution to this issue might be?

[rslover]

I'm having the exact same issue and I've done everything recommended in this thread. I also did a return and the new one is doing the same thing. I did note that the builds were the same on both devices. In fact, I did a bunch of searching for this issue and couldn't find anything until I searched for qts1.210311.017.A2.7686849. There must be some sort of issue with this build because this is 3 confirmed devices not allowing developer mode all on qts1.210311.017.A2.7686849. @djtetei can you provide what build your device is currently at and confirm whether the release is newer or older than qts1.210311.017.A2.7686849?

[djtetei]

My device Android TV OS build is: QTS1.210311.008.7350836

Chromecast with Google TV 
Build Number: 210311.008 7350836
Security Update: June 8, 2021
Published: June 10, 2021

This software update includes:

• Support for Stadia
• Additional improvements to Bluetooth latency, allowing for better performance for both Bluetooth speakers and headphones.
• Updates and bug fixes to help maintain advanced video settings after device reboots rather than reverting back to factory settings. 
• Updates and improvements to HDMI-CEC issues to improve video quality and reliability. 
• Additional bug fixes and performance improvements.

[joelk]

I spent several hours on the phone with Google's Chromecast support, the issue has been escalated to the senior support team. I will be sure to share if/when a fix is found.

[rslover]

@djtetei thanks for the info and @joelk thanks for doing that leg work. I didn't want to have to continually return these until I found one that worked. Looking forward to your updates! 

[Zukaa]

I am facing the same issue just bought this device from Target and not able to turn on developer mode, what a piece of garbage. Were you able to get response from google?

[joelk]

I've been emailing back and forth with them, but no solution has been found yet. I've sent them videos and my system logs so my guess is we will have to wait for a bug fix to be rolled out.

[ColdFire]

Customer service suggests submitting feedback to Google engineers. No guarantee of anything.

[Zukaa]

It shouldn't be treated as a feedback, this is clearly a bug. Google should acknowledge it and fix it. It's a shame, company like Google not fixing it right away.

[rslover]

I'm sure they're working on it. It was only submitted a week ago. Problem is, this shouldn't have made it through their QA and testing

[Zukaa]

Please keep the community updated when you get any reply from them. I have 30 days to return so hopefully they fix it soon. 

[djtetei]

This is a good case for supporting bootloader unlock and official flash software to be able to reflash the software from a backup image.

There is something strange with the software version in question, because it is not listed in the official software update history. It may be an early release of the software update due to be released by the year's end.

Chromecast with Google TV 
Build Number: 210311.008 7350836
Security Update: June 8, 2021
Published: June 10, 2021

Chromecast with Google TV
Build Number: 210311.005
Security Update: April 5, 2021
Published: April 20th, 2021

Chromecast with Google TV
Build Number: 200918.033
Security Update: December 5, 2020
Published: February 8th, 2021

[D555]

Try a temporary solution, until Google issued an update.

Go to (top row) Apps > (field) Search for apps and games > (type) Developer Tools > Install App
 
Open it and from the left menu, pick > (settings) Developers options > Enable
 
Go to the Home screen. On the top right angle, click on your avatar icon, you should have new Notification > Developer Options Enabled - click on it to enable it in the System menu.
 
Good luck!

[ColdFire]

Thank you! That works really well. I am about to return mine but you solution makes me keep it.

[Jeran]

Hey everyone,

For everyone who is running into this issue where you cannot enable the Developer Options, would you please submit feedback via Google TV, letting the Google engineering team know? That would help out immensely in letting them know it's a prevalent issue that they should put some priority on.

Best regards,

Jeran

[Godlaik]

I have the exact same problem. I bought the Chromecast in the Google Store(blue version) and it is impossible to activate the developer options. It was also saying somewhere when I was looking within the system like the software version was not the latest(with no option to update). It is probably that the problem comes from the software that was installed that has the weird "A2" in the version name.

Aside from the concern of not being able to activate the developer options, there is the security concern of whether those devices with this factory software version have been even updated once. Google should look into this asap, not exclusively regarding the Dev. Options thing.