Tech-savvy Android users have something to smile about, because the My Airtel app has finally stopped treating you like a security threat just because you have Developer Options enabled.
It’s a quiet but meaningful shift in Airtel’s approach, one that signals a step toward balancing user control with app security. Until recently, opening the My Airtel app with Developer Options switched on would trigger a dead-end screen with a bold red warning and just one option: “Exit.” No explanations, no workarounds, no sympathy. That’s how it’s been since the August 2024 update — a move that stirred frustration from Nairobi to Lagos.
Developer Options is a hidden set of tools on Android devices that lets users tinker with system behaviors — things like USB debugging, animation speeds, and background process limits. It’s beloved by developers, testers, and advanced users alike. But to Airtel, it was apparently a red flag.
The update locked out users with Developer Options enabled, citing security risks to online transactions. A bold move, sure, but also a baffling one — especially considering competitors like Safaricom’s M-PESA or MySafaricom app had no such restrictions. The backlash was swift. X (formerly Twitter) lit up with complaints from users forced to disable settings they had every right to use.
I was part of that crew — annoyed, locked out, and stubbornly clinging to version 1.3.55, the last known version that didn’t nag me about Developer Options. It wasn’t ideal, but at least I could top up airtime without turning my phone into a corporate-compliant shell.
I’m not sure when, but all that has changed.
With the update to version 1.3.71, users now get a more nuanced prompt. Yes, the app still detects Developer Options, and yes, it still warns you about potential risks. But now, there’s a checkbox that says:
“I understand the risks and I want to continue.” Click that, and you’re in. Just like that.
Gone is the frustrating “Exit only” policy. In its place? A little respect for user agency. The latest version doesn’t just acknowledge that power users exist — it gives them the choice to proceed on their own terms. Sure, it’s not exactly waving a flag of freedom, but it’s better than the authoritarian from last year.
Airtel hasn’t publicly commented on this reversal — no blog post, no press release, no grand apology tour. But it’s hard not to see this as a response to sustained public pressure. Developers and security-conscious users were loudly unhappy, and the optics weren’t great. This policy shift also arrives at a time when Airtel is making other improvements to the My Airtel app. As of today, the app now works offline even without a data bundle — a major convenience boost for users across the continent.
So, while Airtel was busy alienating a chunk of its audience last year, it’s now quietly winning them back with subtle updates that improve usability and accessibility.
