How to disable screen overlay on Android | Utilities

The screen overlay on Android is the permission that some applications have to display information about other apps or the system's home screen. The function can be useful in some cases, such as sending messages quickly on Facebook Messenger, for example. Conversely, malicious applications often use the feature to display advertisements, which may result in the message "screen overlay detected" being displayed. In addition, the feature can generate conflicts and slowdown problems in old devices, such as the Galaxy J5.

READ: Best of the Year dnetc 2019: prize reveals winning apps

In the following walkthrough, check out how to take the screen overlay of apps on Android. The procedure was performed on a Moto G7 Play with Android 9.0 (Pie), but the tips also apply to other Motorola phones. On Samsung and LG devices, the path is slightly different, as explained at the end of the tutorial.

Learn how to disable app overlay on Android Photo: Helito Beggiora / dnetcLearn how to disable app overlay on Android Photo: Helito Beggiora / dnetc

Learn how to disable app overlay on Android Photo: Helito Beggiora / dnetc

Want to buy cell phones, TV and other discounted products? Meet Compare dnetc

Step 1. Access Android settings and open "Apps and notifications". Slide the screen all the way and touch "Advanced";

Access the app settings Photo: Reproduction / Helito BeggioraAccess the app settings Photo: Reproduction / Helito Beggiora

Access the app settings Photo: Reproduction / Helito Beggiora

Step 2. Now, go to "Special access to apps" and open "Overlay other apps";

Open the overlay settings Photo: Reproduction / Helito BeggioraOpen the overlay settings Photo: Reproduction / Helito Beggiora

Open the overlay settings Photo: Reproduction / Helito Beggiora

Step 3. Tap on the name of the application and disable the option "Allow overlapping other apps". Repeat the procedure to disable overlapping for other applications.

Disabling app overlay Photo: Reproduo / Helito BeggioraDisabling app overlay Photo: Reproduo / Helito Beggiora

Disabling app overlay Photo: Reproduo / Helito Beggiora

On Samsung and LG phones

The Android phone system from Samsung and LG feature a modified interface. In these cases, the user must access the app settings and tap on the menu button in the upper right corner of the screen. Then, open the option "Special access" or "Configure apps" and go to "Apps that may appear at the top" or "Appear over other apps". In this section, just disable the key and the screen overlay is disabled.

Ready! Take advantage of tips to prevent apps from overlapping on your Android phone screen.

Facebook crashing on mobile: what to do? Ask questions in the dnetc forum.

How to change the time on an Android phone and iPhone

How to change the time on an Android phone and iPhone