How to implement a secret menu

Question

For the sake of testing a feature that I don't want to release yet to the general public, I would like to implement a "secret" menu or menu item.

By "secret" I don't mean truly secret but more of a hidden or invisible menu, accessible to the developer (me) only, by entering a code or some other mechanism.

It's not the end of the world if an end-user finds about it and attempts to use it ("They made it idiot proof, but I found a workaround."). I just don't want to fail the unsuspecting innocent lay end-user, by providing a feature that isn't fully tested yet.

Any suggestions on how to go about this? (Android 2.2 and up only)

Answer 1

• compare e.g. the Android Id of the device and if it matches your dev phone unlock the menu

• let your app check if another app (some empty dummy) is installed and unlock the menu based on that info.

• you can add an Activity to your code / manifest that is not triggered by any code. You can still start it via adb shell am start -n com.your.package/.SecretThing (that activity could simply set a shared preference that unlocks the menu)

• you could trigger a menu if you listen to some secret broadcast you send with adb shell am broadcast -a your.secret.broacast.ACTION_SECRET

• if you have a device that has a keyboard implement a key listener that only triggers the menu if you enter some secret word (still forward key events to the system)

• if your app has access to location then hide the menu if your are e.g. not at home.

• add some always visible menu item that triggers a password protected screen (not a good idea but it works)

Answer 2

One approach I've used a couple of times is to pop up a PIN entry form when the user triple-taps a particular part of the screen. You enter the PIN, you get through to the developer screen.