This article is not specifially for any particular Android device or manufacturer, instead, this method works with pretty much every Android device. No matter what version of Android you are running on or which manufacturer device are you using. Most people face this error while using apps like Messenger. This article outlines everything you need to know about how to turn off screen overlay in any Android smartphone or tablet. Screen Overlay issue is mostly found with Apps that need permission to draw over other apps. Let’s say that you are running an App and another app needs to work on top of it without interfering with the currently running app, the draw-over other apps permission should be given to that specific app. And sometimes, there takes place sort of conflicts between multiple apps and end up being crashed or not responding. I will explain more about the Screen Overlay issue below.
What is Screen Overlay Detected Error in Android?
You know that every Android App required some sort of permission to properly work. When you install a new app, you might have come across a small popup dialogue box asking permission for a particular setting. It may access contacts, storage, auto start, screen overlay, etc. For example, The TrueCaller app needs permission to access contacts, SMS, and call, if you don’t enable that permission for the app, it won’t work at all. In the same way, some functionalities for certain apps like drawing over other apps, etc should be granted only then that specific feature will work. Let’s take Facebook Messenger as an example. Messenger is quite popular for its unique Chat Bubble option. Messages will appear on top of other apps without interfering with it anyway. A small floating box will appear on top of which app you are using. This is an example of Screen Overlay. Now, let’s talk about the Screen Overlay Error in Android.
More about Screen Overlay Error
Reason for Screen Overlay Detected Error: The main reason why this error pops up is that of the floating nature of some apps. Apps like Facebook Messenger with Floating Chat Heads are the example for Apps which draw over other apps. It may be a conflict between a running floating app and a newly installed app. This occurs when it asks for permissions. Common Apps Which Create Problem: This is error occurs when running apps that need permission to draw over other apps. Apps like ES File Explorer, TrueCaller, Messenger, Blue Light Filters, etc are responsible for this error. Affected Phones: Smartphones which are affected by this error is almost all devices. There is no specific phone or brand to put forward when talking about Screen Overlay Error. This error is common in every Android Smartphone and is not just confined to any brand or smartphone in specific. Now that we have talked about the error so extensively, now let’s jump right into the tutorial to fix the error in no time.
Solution 1: Fix Screen Overlay Detected Error
Follow the simple step by step mentioned below to quickly get rid of this error. To get the list of Apps which require permission to draw over other apps, follow the steps below. Step 1: Find Apps that need permission to Draw over other apps. For Normal Android Devices:
Open SettingsTap on the search barType in “Draw” and hit searchSelect the option called Draw over other Apps.
For Xiaomi Devices:
Open SettingsScroll all the way down and tap on “Permissions”From Permission screen, tap on Other PermissionsSwipe to the right and move to Permissions tabSelect “Display Popup Window” option
For Samsung Devices:
Open SettingsTap on ApplicationThen Application ManagerTap the more button and select the option called “Apps that can appear on top”
Now, we have the complete list of applications that need permission to float, screen overlay and draw over other apps. We need to find the problem causing app from the list that appeared. For that, first, you need to find the particular app and deny the permission. Points below will give you a brief idea about figuring problem causing apps. Apps like Blue Light filters may interfere with this problem Clean Master, ES File Explorer, Messenger are common apps with floating capability Did you notice any application bubble floating on your screen? If yes, then try disabling it. If nothing works then manually try disabling every app. Step 2: Open the app once again and it won’t give “Screen Overlay Detected” error anymore Step 3: Once the problem is solved, go back to permissions settings once again and enable the apps for which we disabled the “Draw over other apps” option.
Solution 2: Safe mode
If the above-mentioned method didn’t work for you then you can try the second solution with Safe mode. To open safe mode on Android, you can follow the steps below. Before going to Safe mode make sure that you know the names all apps with screen overlay or draw over other apps permission. Step 1: Reboot your device to Safe Mode Enable Safe Mode in Stock Android Devices If your device is running pure version of Android, Stock Android then follow these steps.
Press and Hold the Power buttonNow a few little options will appear with power off buttonPress and hold the Power Off button until this option pops up.Tap OK to reboot to safe mode.
Enable Safe mode in Samsung Devices If you are having a Samsung device like Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy S7, J7/Prime, etc this method should work for you.
Power off your devicePress and hold the power button until the Samsung logo appears.Now release the power button and keep holding the volume up button till your device boots up.Once turned on, you will notice a Safe Mode badge at the corner of the screen.
Step 2: Once the phone is turned on, go to settings and then open Apps panel Step 3: From the list of apps, select the app which was having that Screen Overlay Issue Step 4: From the App’s options page, select Permissions Step 5: Enable all the permission that the app is asking and you are done. Now simply just reboot your phone back into normal mode and it should get it done. If the above mentioned both trick didn’t work for you then it’s time to seek help from some third party applications for Android.
Apps to Fix Screen Overlay Detected Error
Install Button Unlocker is a cool Apps available for Android. Upon install of install button Unblocker, it will ask you to enable the permission to draw over other apps. This part is crucial because this apps find the apps with the same problem and override the settings. Once the settings are configured, try doing the activity for which you are getting the Screen Overlay Detected Error. Hopefully, this App should solve your issue with Draw Over Other Apps issue. This app will help you to turn off screen overlay in any android device.
Conclusion
So, these were some of the best working methods to get rid of Screen Overlay Detected in Samsung and any other devices running any version of Android.