Screen Overlay Problem in Android? [Fix It Globally]

Ever tried installing any application on your Android and suddenly hit with the “screen overlay detected” error? This annoying problem usually stems from an application on your device that’s already using the draw over screen feature.

It’s frustrating, especially on older Android operating systems, where managing permission settings isn’t as streamlined. I faced this with AllTrails, and no matter how many times I tapped the permission prompt, it just won’t go away. The moment I tried to grant permission, it kept bouncing me back to the same issue.

The key is to identify the specific app that’s already using the draw over setting. You see, when another application is active in this mode, it blocks the permission flow for others. The best fix I found? Head into your settings, search for “Apps that can draw over other apps,” and toggle off the suspected application.

This allowed me to retry the action without the prompts interfering. Many users struggle with this because Android doesn’t tell you which application is causing it—it just says it’s detected. Once I disabled the overlays, I was able to grant all necessary permissions, and the screen finally cleared up. It’s a small trick, but effective across the same device types I’ve tested.

What to Know

When the Screen Overlay Detected error first appears, it can feel incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re simply trying to install a new app or make a purchase from the store. I personally encounter this a lot on devices running Android 10 or later, where the OS has more restricted controls.

What’s really happening is that an app already on your device is using the draw over feature, which blocks the ability of other apps to request permissions properly. So, when you’re setting up something fresh, you hit a wall that seems unnecessary—but thankfully, there’s a fix.

To begin getting around this issue, head straight into your Settings, then go to Apps & Notifications. From there, expand the Advanced options section and locate Special app access. You’ll find the key setting under Display over other apps, which lists all the apps with permission to overlay on your screen.

This is where the culprit lives. The trick is to spot the suspected app that might be causing the issue—usually a messenger, screen dimmer, or floating utility.

Once identified, toggle the overlay permission off or completely disable it for that app. This gives the system a clean path to run your new actions without interruption. I’ve fixed this multiple times just by adjusting this one setting, and in every case, the error never returned once the overlay was removed from the right app.

It’s a reliable method and doesn’t require uninstalling anything—just smarter control of your device settings.

How to Fix a Screen Overlay Detected Error

One of the quickest ways I’ve found to deal with the Screen Overlay Detected error is to directly disable the draw overlay function for the application that’s causing the issue. Most often, it’s apps like Facebook Messenger, Twilight, or ES File Explorer—or even others with floating bubbles or dimming tools—that quietly run in the background and interfere. If you’re trying to grant permissions and that error keeps popping up, your best bet is to bypass it by limiting those overlays temporarily.

Start by opening your Settings, then go to Apps & Notifications. From there, scroll into Advanced options and tap Special app access. Inside, open Display over other apps, which shows a full list of apps that have the ability to draw over the screen. Here’s where you need to toggle off permissions for the problematic ones. You don’t need to uninstall anything—just shut down the overlay setting, and the error will vanish the next time you attempt that action.

Once you’re done, don’t forget to reenable the ones you trust if they serve a purpose. But to avoid the problem in the future, I recommend experimenting with which app is truly necessary to run overlays all the time. Many users never realize how small tools can create huge interruptions. From my own experiment, leaving only essential apps with overlay rights and cutting the rest down permanently keeps things smooth and error-free across Android versions.

Causes of Screen Overlay Detected Error

The Screen Overlay Detected error is one of those Android quirks that seems minor but can completely halt your workflow. It usually appears when an application on your Android device is using the draw over feature—often seen in tools like Facebook Messenger with its chat heads that pop up when a message is received.

While that overlay function is useful, it can begin blocking critical permission setting prompts for another app you’re trying to open, creating a problem that’s hard to trace unless you’ve dealt with it before.

Devices from brands like Samsung or Lenovo are especially susceptible, and if your device supports overlays, there’s a good chance of running into this. From what I’ve seen, this error has been around since Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, and though Google has streamlined things by Android 8.0, Oreo, it’s not entirely fixed—just changed in how the system settings present it.

Earlier, it took some digging through obscure menus, but now, finding the setting to turn off the screen overlay is easier.

The root causes usually boil down to applications that require the ability to continue operating over other apps, even when not in active use. These overlays can silently persist in the background, interfering when the system settings try to trigger a pop-up for permissions.

My experience with basic instructions led me to dig into Settings > Apps > Special Access, which eventually helped me locate the conflict and fix it.

If you’re wondering why this even exists in the first place, it’s because screen overlays are meant to enhance multitasking or provide persistent tools like floating controls.

But when used carelessly, they do more harm than good. That’s why a little attention to detail and knowing when to counter these overlays can save you a lot of time and frustration.

Conclusion

In summary, understanding and resolving the Screen Overlay Detected issue on your Android device boils down to identifying and managing the apps that use the draw over permission. Whether it’s a utility like Facebook Messenger or another persistent overlay tool, learning how to disable or control these settings is key to preventing future interruptions.

Just like other common problems—such as How to Recover Deleted Photos on Android, How Fix Android Phone Charging Slowly, or even How to Fix Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting on Android—this error is solvable with the right knowledge. And if you’re dealing with more serious issues like How to Fix Android Stuck in Boot loop, staying familiar with Android’s advanced settings can give you a major advantage in keeping your device running smoothly.

Frequently Ask Questions

How to fix screen overlay detected on Android?

If you’re dealing with the screen overlay detected issue on your Android phone, the quickest fix lies in the Settings menu under the Device section. From there, tap Apps, then hit the gear icon in the top right corner to access Configure apps. Next, scroll to the bottom and open Special access, then choose Draw over other apps. Here, you’ll see which app has permission to overlay on the screen—simply disable the one that’s causing the problem. This method has worked consistently across many devices, and it’s the same approach I personally follow when troubleshooting overlays.

How do I turn off the screen overlay?

To turn off the screen overlay on Android, go to Settings and tap Apps & Notifications, then expand the Advanced options to access Special app access. From there, select Display over other apps, which shows a list of every application with the ability to draw over the screen. Locate the app that’s likely causing the error, then simply toggle its overlay permission to disable it. In my experience, this quick fix immediately removes the screen overlay conflict and restores normal functionality without needing to uninstall any app.

How do I close overlays on Android?

To close overlays on Android, go to Apps in your settings and tap into Draw over other apps or Appear on top, depending on your device version. These menus show which app is using an overlay feature—like bubbles, chat heads, or tools that alter screen colors. Once you locate the source, simply switch off the overlay permission to disable it. I’ve often seen apps that appear on top trigger a warning when trying to grant permissions, so keeping this list clean can help avoid conflicts and ensure your display behaves normally.

How do I enable overlay on Android?

To enable an overlay on Android 12 or Android 13, start by opening Settings, then go to Apps and scroll down to Special app access. From there, tap Display over other apps, where you’ll see a list of installed apps. Choose the app you want to modify, tap on it, and then toggle the switch labeled Allow display over other apps to grant permission. I’ve followed these instructions many times when setting up tools that rely on floating controls, and this method has worked reliably across all newer Android versions.

How to fix this site can’t ask for your permission?

To fix the issue where a site can’t request permission on your Android device, especially in Chrome, start by tapping the padlock icon in the address bar, then select View site information. From there, go to Permissions and update or change any setting that may be blocked. If nothing works, delete the specific site data or Reset permissions entirely to let the site prompt again. I’ve had to do this when permissions silently failed, and going through these settings usually restored full access quickly.