Hey Guys, Welcome to Screen Overlay Detected Android Help Community!!! We are here to help you guys to turn off Screen Overlay Detected error on your Android device. Before discussing the solution to Screen Overlay Detected we will discuss some basic parameters like What is Screen Overlay? How, When And Why this error appears on any Android device? To which Android devices this error Appears? and finally How to turn off Screen Overlay Detected on any Android Device?

Screen Overlay Detected Error looks something like this:

Screen Overlay Detected: 

To change this permission setting, you first have to turn off screen overlay from Settings > Apps

Open Settings

screen overlay detected

What is Screen Overlay Detected?

Screen Overlay Detected is one of the most annoying error caused especially on marshmallow version of Android devices. Whenever you are installing any new application to your marshmallow version of the Android device then you need to grant some permissions such as contact, storage, camera etc. During granting permissions if screen overlay of some application is active then a sudden popup with message “Screen Overlay Detected” will appear and you won’t be able to proceed further until you turn off screen overlay of all applications.

Screen Overlay is an essential feature of most of the Android applications. Screen Overlay feature enables any application to appear on the top of other applications like chat head of Facebook messenger. As per marshmallow Android Terms and Policies, Screen Overlay of all apps must be turned off while asking for different permissions from users (Such as Contact, Storage, Camera, etc.).

Devices in Which Screen Overlay Detected Appears

Screen Overlay Detected appears on all Android devices which are upgraded to Android Marshmallow. Screen Overlay may appear in all Marshmallow Android devices such as Samsung, Lenovo, Techno, Oneplus, LG, Redmi MI, Oppo, Vivo and many more devices. There may be a different setting configuration in different devices, but we have got one working solution for all Android devices. Now let’s jump to the main section of How to turn off Screen Overlay on any Android device.

Why Does Screen Overlay Detected error Appears?

Whenever you install any new app on your marshmallow Android device then you must have seen the popups of certain permissions, such as Contact, Storage, and Recording. If active Screen Overlay feature of any app is observed then a sudden popup with Screen Overlay Detected message will appear.

Until and unless you disable Screen Overlay of any app, this popup would keep appearing again and again. So it’s better to apply some permanent solution, because if you would apply any temporary solution then this error will appear again when you will install any new application on your Android Device.

How to turn off Screen Overlay Detected on any Android Device?

We have got 3 Solutions to turn off Screen Overlay Detected on Any Android Device. In Solution 1 we have mentioned the method to turn off Screen Overlay of all apps, this solution had worked for almost everyone, hope it works for you too. If solution 1 didn’t work for you and Screen Overlay Detected popups are still appearing on your device then you can go for solution 2. In Solution 2 we have mentioned the apps which are causing this error, uninstall or force stop apps causing Screen Overlay issue on your device and Screen Overlay issue would be solved on your device. If solution 2 also didn’t work for you guys and you were unable to guess the which app was causing Screen Overlay issue on your device then you can go for Solution 3. In Solution 3 we will show you the method to boot your device in the safe mode, and this solution is working for whom solution 1 and 2 didn’t work. We hope that at least one solution works for you.

Do let us know in the comment section below that which solution worked for you, it would be helpful for our readers.

Solution 1:

In this solution, we will turn off the screen overlay of all apps including system apps after which screen overlay detected error won’t appear again. This Procedure to turn off Screen Overlay of All apps is bit different for Samsung Device hence we have got a different procedure to turn off Screen Overlay of all apps on Samsung Device.

Click Here to Skip to Screen Overlay Settings for Samsung.

Follow below Screen Overlay Settings to turn off Screen Overlay on any Android devices:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Scroll down to Apps option.screen overlay app
  3. Click on Three Dots option situated at the top right corner of your mobile screen.
  4. Select Draw Over Other Apps.
  5. Now again click on Three Dots and then select Show System Apps.
  6. Now the list of all apps along with System Apps, whose Screen Overlay is active will appear.
  7. Turn off screen overlay of all apps one by one.

Now you have successfully disabled Screen Overlay of all apps. Now Screen Overlay won’t appear again until you manually turn it on. You can manually turn it on for Facebook Messenger if you want to use its feature of chat head.

Turn off Screen Overlay on Samsung Device:

  1. Open Settings.screen overlay settings
  2. Click on Apps and then select Application Manager option.
    screen overlay manager
  3. Tap on More option situated at the top right corner of your mobile screen.
  4. Select Apps that can Appear on Top.
  5. Now again click on More option and then select Show System Apps.
  6. Now the list of applications with active Screen Overlay will appear.
  7. Turn off screen overlay of all apps one by one.

Now you have successfully disabled Screen Overlay of all apps on your Samsung Device. You turn on Screen Overlay of some apps such as Facebook Messenger if you want to use its feature of chat head feature.

Read which Solution worked for me!

Screen Overlay Detected error was appearing from few days on my Samsung J5, I was unable to install and use any new app on my device. So I decided to find out the victim and then kick it off from my device. I proceeded to “Apps that can appear on the top of other apps” on my Samsung phone:

  • Settings
  • Apps
  • More (Top right corner)
  • Apps that can appear on top

The Same option is available on other Android Phones, as Draw Over other Apps:

  • Settings
  • Apps
  • Configure programs
  • Draw Over Other Apps

And then I analyzed each and every app which had permissions to appear on top of other apps. First I filtered those out apps such as File Manager Apps and “ES File Explorer” was one among those. So I straightforwardly uninstalled ES File Explorer and after that Screen Overlay Detected just disappeared from my Samsung phone. I also recommend same for all of you guys, analyze which app is causing Screen Overlay issue on your device and just uninstall those apps.

First I analyzed which app was causing Screen Overlay issue on my device and then I just uninstall that app from my device.

Solution 2:

Uninstall Some Unwanted Apps

Screen Overlay feature is also used by some unwanted security and cleaner Apps. Some Apps such as Clean Master, DU Booster, ES File Explorer uses this feature majorly on your device. If Screen Overlay Detected popups still appears after applying Solution 1, then uninstall some unwanted apps such as Clean Master, DU Booster, and ES File Explorer. These three apps are just examples, just uninstall all apps which are currently not useful till one month, or apps which haven’t used since last month. This will also solve lagging issues on your device and will also free up some ROM on your device.

List of Apps Which are Causing Screen Overlay Detected issue on Android Device:

  • Chat head of Facebook Messenger.
  • Apps which have Animated Rocket Cleaners on Home Screen
  • 360 Security
  • Es File Explorer
  • All Night Mode apps such as Twilight
  • All Security and Antivirus Apps
  • Share IT
  • Internet Speed Meter
  • LUX App
  • UC Browser
  • All DU apps such as DU Booster and Cleaner, DU Battery Saver, DU Antivirus

Below are hints for Apps which may cause this Screen Overlay Detected issue on your Android Devices:

  • All night mode apps use Screen Overlay feature to dim the light of your screen. So currently if you are using any Night Mode Apps then uninstall all Night Mode Apps, if you are dependent on Night Mode apps at night then force stop those apps while you are installing new apps on your Android.
  • All Security and Booster Apps uses Screen Overlay feature to observe your activities on Screen, hence uninstall off security apps, cleaners, booster apps from your Android. Uninstall Apps such as 360 Security, Security Master, Clean Master, All Antiviruses and All DU Apps.
  • ES File Explorer and Some File Explorer also uses Screen Overlay Detected feature, hence you can try disabling such apps too.
  • These were just few hints, uninstall all apps which can appear on the top of other apps and your problem will be solved.
Read more about Screen Overlay Apps
  • Disable or Force Stop Facebook Messenger for some time because Facebook Messenger uses Chat Head feature which allows you to talk with your friends while you are using any other app.
  • Uninstall all apps which have Animated Rocket Cleaners on Home Screen, such apps just pretend that they are cleaning junk files from your device but they are just earning bucks by displaying popup of ads.
  • Uninstall 360 Security app because it also uses Screen Overlay feature. To be true Android Device doesn’t need any antivirus app. Android was developed from Linux and Linux is highly secure Operating System, hence Android doesn’t need any Antivirus.
  • Force Stop Es File Explorer for sometime because ES File Explorer majorly uses Floating App feature. ES File Explorer also pretend as App Cleaner and Security App to stay installed on your device.
  • All Night Mode apps such as Twilight also uses screen overlay feature. Night Mode apps are great beneficial for our eyes hence not need to uninstall this app, just force stop for temporary time.
  • Uninstall All Security and Antivirus Apps, because somewhere they uses Screen Overlay to come on the top of other apps.
  • Force Stop Shareit App because this app uses cleaner rocket on home, which may causes Screen Overlay Detected popup to appear.
  • Internet Speed Meter appears on top of all apps hence you must also disable or force stop Internet Speed Meter too.
  • LUX App also appear on top of other apps, hence you must uninstall Lux app from your Android Device
  • UC Browser gives animated charging animation on top of other apps while you are charging your device. Force Stop UC Browser until Screen Overlay problem is solved for you.
  • You must uninstall all DU apps such as DU Booster and Cleaner, DU Battery Saver, DU Antivirus from your device, because these are worst apps in the Play Store. These apps just occupy garbage space on your device and does nothing. These apps are majorly responsible for Screen Overlay Detected popups.
  • Sometimes apps which changes screen color may also responsible for Screen Overlay Detected issue on your device. Some screen filter apps usually changes color of your screen such as Night Mode Apps. From Android Marshmallow Version Bluelight Filter app also comes inbuilt on Android, which runs in background and and which usually uses Screen Overlay feature to changes the screen color. Turn off the bluelight filter and this might help you guys.
  • Some of the popular apps causes this error are Facebook, CleanMaster, Lux, and other apps.
  • Also Uninstall Clean Master, DU Speed Booster, Go Speed & other cleaners and speed boosters from your phone.

Once your Screen Overlay Detected issue is solved and if now you want to use Screen Overlay feature by some apps such as Chat Head of Facebook Messenger and Screen Recorder then follow below settings to Turn on Screen Overlay of selected apps:

  • Open Settings
  • Open Apps
  • Click on Three Dots
  • Select Draw Over other Apps
  • Select the App whom you want to allow Screen Overlay
  • Toggle On Screen Overlay for that App

That’s It! Now you can use Screen Overlay feature by that app.

If this solution worked for you guys then do comment in the comment section below that which app was causing Screen Overlay Detected issue on your device, it will help your friends.

Solution 3:

Turn Off Screen Overlay using Safe Mode

If any above solution didn’t worked then you can use Safe Mode to tackle this error. First you must know in which app Screen Overlay Detected error appears. First open Safe Mode by following below settings:

Safe Mode in Stock Android:

If you are using any stock android such as Moto, Nexus, HTC or Lenovo then follow below settings to turn on Safe Mode on your device:

  • Press and hold power button
  • Tap and hold on Power Off option until your device popup for Safe Mode
  • Tap on OK to reboot to Safe Mode

Safe Mode on Samsung Device:

If your device is Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung S5, Samsung J7 / Prime then follow below settings to turn ON Safe Mode on any Samsung Device:

  • First Turn off your Samsung Device
  • Hold power button until Samsung Logo Appears
  • Then release Power Button and hold Volume Up Button until your device boot up and you see Safe Mode in corner

What after Safe Mode:

Once you are in Safe Mode then turn on all permissions of App in which Screen Overlay was Appearing. Follow below settings to Turn ON all permissions on App in which Screen Overlay Detected error was appearing,

  • Open Settings
  • Click on Apps
  • Select the App which was causing Screen Overlay Detected error to appear (For example, while opening Opera I was seeing this error)
  • Click on App Permissions
  • Now Toggle On all permissions of App

This Safe Mode method to Solve Screen Overlay Detected error is working for most of the guys hence it must work for you too. You must try this method to disable Screen Overlay Detected popups from any Android Device.

Summary

Quick Solution 1:

Screen Overlay Detected

We have got this quick solution to turn off Screen Overlay Detected Popups on any Android device. To apply this solution first you must know that which app may cause this error. Apps which can appear on top other app screens can cause this error.

Apps that can Cause Screen Overlay Detected error:

So once you know which app on your device is causing Screen Overlay Detected popups to appear then you ready to apply this quick solution:

  1. Tap on Open Settings when Screen Overlay Detected popup appears.How to force Screen Overlay Detected Popup to Appear Again:
    • Go to Settings
    • Tap on Apps
    • Select the App which was showing this error
    • Click on App Permissions
    • Toggle On any Permission
    • And Screen Overlay Detected Popup will appear again
  2. Now the list of apps with active Screen Overlay feature will appear, just toggle OFF Screen Overlay of app which you doubt, it may by any security or cleaner app, chat head, night mode app or any app which I mentioned in my above list.

As mentioned earlier too, Facebook Messenger float on the screen of other apps hence this is the main culprit but now Facebook has already overcome this screen overlay issue by instantly turning off screen overlay of Messenger, as soon as you close the chat heads and activating it again instantly whenever chat heads again appear on the screen. So now no need to worry about Facebook Messenger Chat Heads.

Once you disable Screen Overlay of apps which were causing Screen Overlay Detected popups to appear, this error won’t appear again.

Read Also, How to fix Screen Overlay Error on:

Now you know how to turn off screen overlay on any Android device. Hope this resolve Screen overlay Detected error on your Android device. We would be glad to answer your queries in a comment section below.

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59 COMMENTS

  4. Hey man ! Because of this problem, I can’t open some of the basic apps such as phone, messaging, contacts. I have tried all of your methods but nothing works. I need your help man, ASAP !

  6. My phone is infinix 2. My overlay is affects the tools bar. When I swipe down, it refuses to open. It just shows ‘No Notification’ and it ends there. I used the 3 solutions and none worked. I need help.

    • Any system app might be causing this screen overlay issue on your device and what you can do is to find out which app is currently causing this issue on your device and just uninstall that app, Apps which can appear on the top of other apps such as messenger chat head or apps which can change the colour of screen are generally causing screen overlay detected issue on android devices…

  10. Thank you but I tried your instructions but once I open my camera, ” allow camera to make and manage calls?” appear..How could I fix it..pls…thnks

  13. Go to settings,In Apps FORCE STOP every app in your phone.Later you can give permission to your desired apps.This worked for me.

  15. Before I tried step 3 I uninstalled the calendar and clock widgets and reinstalled, happy days.
    Basically it was only factory widgets which were crashing.
    Thanks for all your ideas, I would be insane by now otherwise. .

  17. TY very much! New to Android and this was a MAJOR headache! Now I can use the phone like I want!
    Very well done graphic/walk through for noobs like me! Again TYVM :))

    (Why did Google do that in the first place? WHAT A MAJOR HASSLE/PAIN IN THE ASS!)

  28. Thank you so much for your help. It was du booster all along. May God bless you ooo.
    Please continue to do stuff like this. You can change the world

  30. I tried in my marshmallow android but I didn’t find the exact app that I really want to disable the screen overlay……But the content of above-mentioned is really understandable… Easily but how can get that particular app that need to disable the screen overlay

    • S Mani Kumar, You need to make a guess that which installed app may appear on the top of other apps. Facebook Messenger Chat Head and Night Mode Apps are examples of such apps which uses screen overlay feature. I have also mentioned the list of apps for which you need to disable screen overlay.

  32. I have to force stop all those apps after trying all the methods but not working, I finally result in force stopping all the apps now everything is cool. Thanks

  38. Thank you so much for such great solutions dear admin 🙂
    It really helped.
    I myself was just looking for safe mofe solution, but i didn’t how. Then i found your solution.
    Thanks bud, great share!

  39. Thanks for your solution! I uninstalled DU Recorder and Night Mode Filter also unable chat heads on Messenger. It works!

  42. I turned off the “floating icon toggle” in my palmstore app settings and I turned off all screen overlay settings! It worked! Thank you so much

  43. HELP!!!!! I tried all 3 of the hints above and I am still getting the screen overlay! I am my wits end. I have a ZTE GRAND X MAX 2 phone which I have unlocked because it was purchased from Cricket and I now use MetroPCS as my carrier. Cricket says I should do a factory reset but I do not have a computer to back up whatever information I currently have on my phone. I do not know what to do…. Can you help me? I am also getting a message “Opens with” when trying to access apps but doesn’t give me any options..Can u help? Thanks

    • You can try Safe Mode to turn on all permissions of app on which you were facing screen overlay error.
      For media backup, you can use SD Card and there are many apps on play store to backup installed apk files on the internal storage and then you can move them to SD Card and then you can reset your phone.

  46. Thanks so much! Screen overlay was driving me crazy. solution #1 worked for me to disable draw over other apps permissions on my moto g3. Thanks again.

  47. I got quite unhappy due to frustration and confusion over this screen overlay but thanks to your suggestion number 1. It worked for me.

  48. I got quite unhappy due to frustration and confusion over this screen overlay but thanks to your suggestion number 1. It worked for me.

    • First open Settings and then scroll until you see Apps or Application Manager option, now find out Whatsapp in the list and then click on the Permissions option, now change Storage Permission of WhatsApp to fix this issue on your Android.

  51. Hey thanks for helping. I didn’t realize it was du recorder app doing all this screen overlay and draw over over other app shit. I haven’t uninstalled it but I have force stopped it and denied all permissions n now I cant see that overlay thingy…thanks

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