How to turn off screen overlay on Samsung Galaxy S7

Here's a perplexing issue that's been affecting Samsung Galaxy S7 owners — in addition to folks on a handful of other Android devices. It goes a bit like this: You start up an app for the first time and accept the usual permission dialogs. Then you're hit by a message like this:
Screen overlay detectedTo change this permission setting, you first have to turn off the screen overlay in Settings > Apps.
A screen overlay is a part of an app that can display over the top of other apps. The most well-known example is chat heads in Facebook Messenger. But apps need your permission to use screen overlays, and sometimes this can cause problems. For example, if an app were able to display something over the top of a permission dialog, it could try and trick you into granting it permission to do stuff you might not want.
The simplest fix is to basically do what the dialog box tells you to do. The language is a little confusing, but what it's asking you to do is:
- Launch the Settings app from your home screen or app drawer.
- Scroll down and tap Applications.
- Tap Application Manager.
- Tap More to open the menu in the top right corner.
- Tap Apps that can appear on top.
From here, you'll need to track down the app that needs permission to use a screen overlay — usually the app you were just using. When you've found it, tap the toggle next to it to turn it off, and you should be good to go.
More: How to turn off screen overlay on the Galaxy S8
Note: It's not always clear precisely which app is trying to use screen overlays. Clean Master has been reported as one app likely to cause issues, as has alert center app Drupe, and Lux, which lets you adjust the color of your screen. If in doubt, think about any app that might change the way things appear on your screen.
Once you're done, try starting the app you were originally using once again. With any luck, you'll be able to grant it permissions and start using it as normal.
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Alex was with Android Central for over a decade, producing written and video content for the site, and served as global Executive Editor from 2016 to 2022.
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ES File Explorer just started doing this on my phone, with some kind of "recent image" icon popping up over everything.
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So they can show you crappy ads. Probably the type that show battery life or say they can improve your battery life. That app is horrible.
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Look under settings, logger floating widget settings. The little bubble appears everytime you create a new file, unless you turn it off.
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You cab turn that off from es file explorer settings
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I actually troubleshoot this issue a lot being that i'm a subject matter expert for a carrier's technical support department and a few other examples that can trigger this are skinning and theming apps like Samsung's Themes and third party launchers, carrier apps like Tech Coach and Tech Expert because of how they can allow technicians to remote in to the phone to troubleshoot it like what Google offers with the Pixel and apps that control screen brightness or color like Lux.
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I still having this problem
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I've been finding Twilight (the blue light filter app) is also a common culprit for me.
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If you pause it then you can allow the permissions of the other app conflicting with it, then just unpause twilight
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That's exactly what I do, it's a pain but whatever... It's doable
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Yep, absolutely. Initially I had no idea which app was causing the overlay issue when I came across it a few months ago. Finally figured out it was Twilight. Obvious once you've realised!
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Twilight is what has been causing the error for me as well. Looking forward to the full release of nougat so i can erase it.
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I deleted Twilight specifically because of this. All my problems went away.
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A common culprit for this is Facebook messenger chat bubbles. You don't have to turn of chat bubbles though. Just don't have one active on screen when trying to grant permissions. Anyways this is one of those things on android that is extremely poorly implemented by Google.
The "error message" people get when trying to grant a permission is really unclear. And when you get away from the error message, you have a app that has been denied the permission instead. I've had a couple of friends running apps like Gmail for instance without contacts showing up. And they have no idea why. Google really needs to offer a "better" way to handle this and explain to users what is really happening. For instance by highlighting which app is causing the error -
I agree with this statement 100%. This is probably one of the most frustrating error messages that virtually every android user is sure to encounter at some point in time. Terrible.
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Was going to expound on the same. This was ridiculous, and left people floundering for weeks and weeks.
So many questions came up on this. Really unfinished software or whatever. No excuses. Sometimes Google just sucks big time. -
I agree with what you've said about Google explaining thing's more clearly. It's not an error though, it's a security feature. Google should be listing the apps that are using the overlay in the original overlay detected pop up, After all, if they can detect that there's an overlay on the screen they can detect what app is drawing it.
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When you get that simply turn off over lay on messages and Facebook messenger if using. Set permission, have someone text you which will prompt you to enable over lay again for messages and messenger.
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There are many more apps than just the ones you mentioned that cause this and not all of them are messaging apps, so it's best to learn how to do it through the setting's. It's not hard.
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LastPass requires the overlay amoung others to work correctly like Twilight...
Usually you have to go to those settings and disable or turn off every app that has that permission - then - disable the overlay... now you can go back and finish installing your application, - then - go back and enable those applications that need to use the overlay...
Yep, pain in the arse to continually go through those steps.
Those apps that I listed need to use that overlay to work correctly... Had to learn that the hard way... -
You only need to disable the ones that are drawing on the screen (have overlay on screen) at the time you are trying to grant permissions. eg- if Twilight is enabled but it's during the day and the screen isn't being coloured, then there's no need to disable it. If you're not sure what is causing the issue then disable them all.
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The bigger issue is when it is locked out and you cannot toggle anything. A well known issue. You have to reboot into recovery and wipe cache.
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Ugh, I ran into this ond as well in the past. Took forever to resolve.
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Just launch Reset app prederences from rhe application manager menu and you are good to go, i mean you do not have to reboot and claer the cach
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PowerLine is one of the apps I am having to cycle overlay permissions off/on when installing new apps
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Funnily enough, BlackBerry Priv (and I assume DTEK) has a cool feature allowing users to temporarily disable all overlays with a single click. It automatically re-enables after a brief time. Makes this problem almost a non-issue.
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lol, I'm constantly surprised to see articles and forum topics regarding this "problem" because the error box regarding overlays on my Priv leads to that setting and I just go back and do whatever I wanted to do within seconds. I thought it was the same on all Androids, I can't believe you really have to manually go to those settings, look for the culprit and disable it. Now I get why other people see this as a problem and I appreciate my BB one bit more, thanks. :D
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Yes, a thousand times. This feature on the Priv is amazing. I thought it's part of Marshmallow by default but it looks like it's one of those special sauce elements added by BlackBerry. My S7 Edge and Note7 both required manual changes.
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It happened pre Nougat on my Z Force with SwipePad, Swapps, and Twilight. I made a tasker task that brought me right to the settings screen to be able to turn off those 3 apps momentarily, accept the permission request, then hop back and turn them back on. So glad it no longer happens in Nougat.
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Active Facebook chat heads was the culprit for me.
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Its was the facebook messenger bubble overlay, hide it and it worked great!
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I have this problem on my android wear watch. I can't use messenger on it.
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Which release of Android are you using, and which skin? Vanilla Android doesn't have an "Application manager".
It's Settings, Device, Apps, Settings, Advanced, Special access, Draw over other apps. -
Are you dumb. The whole article is for the S7 Edge m8.
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Other apps that do this are, Twilight and an app called Shut App which is a bit different than the rest. Shut App has a feature called magic ball which you can disable in the usual place in app manager BUT if you have turned on the feature to allow magic ball to show notifications, you will find that even though the apps permission to draw over the top of other apps has been disabled, if it is showing a notification, it still somehow is able to draw over other apps and you'll see the magic ball still there. Obviously you still won't be able to grant a new app any permissions. So you have to tap the magic ball and clear any notification's before it will disappear so you can finally do what you wanted and grant the app permission's .
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It doesn't say in this article that when you get the screen overlay message, the word setting's is highlighted and if you just press that, it will take you directly to the screen where you disable the apps without having to go round the long way. Also , if you are using any of the overlay's, like a screen colour change for night reading for instance, then you must re-enable the apps after.
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For me, it was TrustGo Antivirus on the S7 edge. After uninstalling it, everything worked fine.
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Thank you this issue is really annoying I don't get why it's more of a pain on Samsung phones.
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Based on what I've experienced, Simple Control causes this issue
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I deleted Clean Master months ago because of this. Plus most smartphones don't need cleaner apps like my s7 which does most in itself anyways.
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This seems like less of a security feature & more of a coding error. Why can't we simply allow new screen overlays even though existing ones are active?
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I use 'Twilight' to carm the brightness of the screen. Sometimes it gets in the way , so l just turn it off when l need to. No problem!
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I was writing a message to someone using Facebook Messenger and trying to send them a picture from the Photo Gallery on my Samsung Galaxy S7 phone when I got the screen overlay error message. After pulling a few hairs out and messing with a bunch of settings, I got it to work by turning off screen overlay permissions for Twilight.
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Thanks!
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The stock messaging app caused this too, when it shows the in-notification quick reply.
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Sadly none of this is working for me, IDK why but when I go to chose the app to turn it off for it won't toggle. Very Frustrating on a brand new phone!
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Instead of scrolling, try just tapping, works for me..
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Instead of scrolling, try tapping, works for me
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I just purchased the Galaxy S7 Active, and when attempting to use Instagram, and change the app's permissions, they won't toggle and I get the notice about the screen overlay, ok, gotcha, no problem. . .BUT, when I go there, Instagram (although installed) is NOT listed as an app in the Screen Overlay area. . .however the app IS listed under applications in another area of my phone. My question is, WHY is Instagram NOT listed in the Applications allowed to appear over other applications, and HOW do I get around the Screen Overlay issue? I've literally spent the past 2 hours going in circles and getting completely frustrated. I have attempted to uninstall and reinstall so I can change the app's permissions, but it bypasses that option and loads directly. Please help. Thank you!
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I'm about to throw my S7 Edge out of the window because of this. I've turned off all "Apps that can appear on top" (including system apps), I've disabled the Edge Panel, I've turned of one-handed input, I've disabled SwiftKey, I don't have Clean Master or Twilight installed, I've deleted all recently installed apps and I'm STILL getting this problem. If I reboot, it will let me change the permissions for 1 app and then the error recurs. To top it all, I made the mistake of reseting all app settings and now all the apps that were previously working don't have the requisite permissions and therefore don't work! Any other weird and wonderful suggestions I can try??
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I'm having the same exact problem....i also reset all app settings not knowing that I was gonna create another problem....have you found a fix for this yet....i have no idea what to do now...
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Hi There, I've had the exact same problem for the last 3 months, I've tried everything (All the forums, walkthroughs etc and nothing has worked) I even tried disabled every app I had (disabling the overlay) this still did not work! As a last resort before a factory reset, i noticed a video on you tube where someone was suggesting to uninstall certain apps completely. I tried this and it worked!.... I would suggest that you go to the play store and review the list of apps your currently have installed. Anything that you would classify as "unofficial" or maybe a new app you've recently installed that you've not had with you on previous android devices... I uninstalled the following: DU Battery Saver - (I would uninstall anything to do with battery saving or clean up)
Logitec Car Assist - (Any app that soley focuses on taking control of your screen or overlay focused - unless ready installed like the edge screen i.e. car assistant/handsfree apps)
All Cast - an app I installed whilst I was having issues with chromecast
Download Manager - one of the many apps on playstore which allow you to download content through a client or download/convert you tube videos. After uninstalling all 4 and restarting my device, this resolved the issue. Good luck and I hope this works for you!
Aaron. -
1/24/17 - The above suggestion worked !! DU Battery Saver. Not sure why as I have had this app on phone for a long time but it definitely was running interference with FB and FB Messenger :( THANK YOU Aaron.
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Hi guys, same problem with my phone...did you finde any solution?
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Thx for your advice mate, i well try now.
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1. Go to "Setting", then "More".
2. Tap "About Device".
3. Go to "Build Number" and tap it "7 times".
4. This should turn off "developer options".
5. The overlays should disappear
This did it for me -
Hello.
I am happy to come with a very simple solution to you. I had the very same problem since 26/04/2017 and I did a I could but no luck. I took my fone to a cellphone repair shop and they said it's a software problem, they said I have to upgrade software. They were going to charge me R500 to format my fone and install new software and I didn't believe in that cos I update my software everytime a new version is released. I googled and I finally got a solution. As for me the only thing I have uinstalled from my fone is a DU Speed Booster and untivirus app. I reboot my fone thereafter and I was to ready to go. I guess that the things that cause such problems are the "phone cleaning and antivirus apps". U remove them and ur ready to go. Try it. Good luck! -
I followed all these steps but I can't find the app I want in the list (S Planner). What else can I do?
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1. Go to "Setting", then "More".
2. Tap "About Device".
3. Go to "Build Number" and tap it "7 times".
4. This should turn off "developer options".
5. The overlays should disappear This did it for me -
Is there any reason to set it back after you do this or is it done for good when you complete this?
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I did the above steps to put overlay screen off but with no results..This appeared to me while I was editing one of my contacts..I don't know what to do then ...plus help...
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I am absolutely frustrated to no end. The screen overlay, I follow the instructions, but when I get to the part where you 'go to track down the app that needs permission', IT IS NOT THERE!!! Navy Federal is the app. It i under the 'application manager' but not on the screen it brings me. I am ready to shoot my own phone. Please, if someone knows what the hell to do, please contact me at my email address, ladidi00@hotmail.com
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Me too BUT do try turning the Messenger bubble off if you have it, after 3 hours and a stiff neck, that did the trick when everything else didn't!! I couldn't update Contacts etc....I turned the bubble back on and all is good...until I find the next quirk!!!
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Hello.
I am happy to come with a very simple solution to you. I had the very same problem since 26/04/2017 and I did a I could but no luck. I took my fone to a cellphone repair shop and they said it's a software problem, they said I have to upgrade software. They were going to charge me R500 to format my fone and install new software and I didn't believe in that cos I update my software everytime a new version is released. I googled and I finally got a solution. As for me the only thing I have uinstalled from my fone is a DU Speed Booster and untivirus app. I reboot my fone thereafter and I was to ready to go. I guess that the things that cause such problems are the "phone cleaning and antivirus apps". U remove them and ur ready to go. Try it. Good luck! -
Do try turning the Messenger bubble off if you have it, after 3 hours and a stiff neck, that did the trick when everything else didn't!! I couldn't update Contacts etc....I turned the bubble back on and all is good...until I find the next quirk!!!
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Reset every thing, used many other tricks on galaxy tab.
Nothing worked.
Finally, i removed the Screen Capturing application ( ScreenHot Touch) and every thing settled out. -
PLZ! PLZ!! Tell me how u turned it off u MUST b a PURE GENIOUS!!!
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I removed two apps thatt I had which always allowed ads. I removed Cleanmaster and CM locker and voila, I am back working perfectly
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Reboot your phone
It may work. -
Drupe Dialer is the major offender for me. I use FB Messenger and have never had a problem with it and this error message. I'll have to turn off the permission for Drupe when I'm adding a new app, then re-add it back to Drupe again. Seems like a fairly major bug on the S7 - hopefully they'll remedy that in the not-to-distant future.
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Skype caused my problems
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I got something that works half the time. (Galaxy Sky) Follow the steps until you get to the Application Manager. That should already list ALL the apps on your phone, not just a few. Find and select the app you're trying to use, then hit "Permissions." Toggle them, and - with luck - problem solved.
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Just remove your anti virus then re start
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My issue was like this, but when i got this message,
How i got around this issue, was to follow the above steps, but when i got to step 5/ Tap Apps that can appear on top, i went into that section, and turned off every app that was inside. Then i had to change the permissions for the storage. I think i had to turn it on as it was off, but i couldnt turn it on because of the above issue. Once i done this, it seems to allow me to change wallpapers without issues now, so maybe its just a glitche in one of the apps that cause this to happen? Hope this helps others that had the issue anyway :). -
Had an app that was the culprit... AZ Screen Recorder - No Root. Once I deleted it from my phone, no more issues. Seems apps with screen permissions are causing the problem?
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My wife had the problem on her S7 - I didn't. After reading comments, it appears that pop up bubbles caused her problem - namely Facebook Messenger bubble. She closed it down, problem solved for now...
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I had been using my S7 for two months without a problem then last night (2/18/2017) that problem about needing permission popped up. The instructions in the message said I should go to settings then app to turn off the button. Did it all night without success. Reading these instructions today were an exercise in futility until I saw that Cleanmaster may be a source of problem. I removed my Cleanmaster and I also removed CM locker. The problem went away. I don't know if it is one or the other or both. But I am not planning to find out. My Uber app is working again.
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I have turned off all I can and my phone still tells me to do it. Help!!!
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Did you leave the chat bubbles off? I went through that too and found that if the Messenger bubbles didn't come up, I had no further problems. I kinda miss the bubbles, but the frustration just was too much!!
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OMG, that was it! I'm thinking an app I was trying to use was the problem, and kept toggling Screen Overlay off and on for that app. Meanwhile, a friend on Messenger had chatted me up earlier and his bubble was still on screen. Just dismissing it fixed my problem.
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I struggled to send voivenotes and lost all my contacts in whatsapp. I deleted CM Locker, CM Security. And now its working again. Thank u guys. I struggled 3 dayz! Even wiped my phone!!!
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I had to uninstall the SHUT app. Now that I have uninstalled it, everything is back to normal :)
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I was having this screen overlay problem i thought of deleting all the apps & download it again instead i uninstalled this anti virus app now it its back to normal
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I installed DUO and it wants permissions but when I go to settings/applications/application manager/more/apps that can appear on top, 1) it does not show DUO although it is showing under application manager, and if I go to the application information, it shows no permissions allowed. Also, some apps are grayed out in terms of being able to allow them to appear on top -- the toggle does not work to turn them on. I have removed clean master in case that was causing a problem.
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I had the same problem, lots of my apps had no permissions to use camera, contacts phone etc.. and through settings it could not be reset..
Tonight I just fixed it by givin my phone permission to do so... from settings, security, phone administrators, turn on support & protection, turn on android device manager.
Then go back to settings, applications, permissions, and turn everything on for the apps that you could not access.
The message will disappear. . Hopen this helps. -
it was the private folder in the new grace ui. i went to app info which then popped up knox, force closed and that actually worked. the most frustrating part of this stupid situation is I bought galaxy A5 2017 that had this problem out the box soni returned it. went to tmobile bought an s7 edge which updated to grace ui / nougat... same problem! order an A7 2017 same problem! all this bs with in 2 weeks of frustration and 2 weeks late of just googling the problem here I am posting this comment. I really was about to ditch samsung over this SMH
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KNOX was the problem so THANK YOU! I have a Samsung S6 and the "Screen Overlay" message was denying my access to text messages etc. I went back and forth trying to find the culprit. I could not access anything without that message (Screen Overlay) popping up. I did not do a factory reset but I did revert to the original settings; no help at all. I tried doing the "Build" 7 times trick recommended in the prior message, but that did not help either. Then I read your message and within 10 seconds the problem was resolved. Bless you for sharing!
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I can't find the apps' icon on the "Apps that can appear on top" page
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I had the same and it was driving me absolutely nuts I couldnt use my weather app or Shazam or anything. Go to Settings > About Device > Software Info and then tap the Build Number 7 times. This enables developer mode (you'll see it now on your settings screen). Once I did this I didn't even need to change any additional settings I fired up Shazam and it worked perfectly. Hope this helps!
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On Samsung S7 Edge Phone., if u haven't upgraded (which leads to new problems) u have to reset phone to safe mode. Once safe mode shows u can give permission to many apps. How to turn on safe mode, turn off phone, turn on phone, when u see SAMSUNG LOGO (NOT 1st screen that shows) hold volume down and power button, than let go power button. After phone restarts u will see safe mode bottom left corner. DO PANIC , ur screen will not have ur themes etc. Than go to settings application etc. , some u can't, over half that came with phone has to be given permission. When finished drag notification shade down, u will see Safe mode on, tap to turn off. Phone will stop, restart. Now u have to go back to settings and reapply ur themes etc. Easier way, go to About device, find build number, tap 7 times, turns on developer mode. Go to Developer in settings, turn on third party apps allowed. Don't turn anything else on, still will have to give permission to all apps, I open everyone of them, and half had to be given permission.
If u have upgrade, I Do Now, it gives u option for permissions. But it changes appearance of Setting menu, several of ur applications, u more or less have to reset up each app. The, Way u want it. I upgraded last week, and still finding things that changed in how u use them. No matter what u do, its frustrating either way. But upgrade did make overlay permission easier. Haven't had upgrade long enough to tell u whether better or not. Happy reprogramming ur cell phones. -
samsung s7 edge( if you want to take overlay out) Delete all security of your phone you only need samsung security take rest out problem solved Andy ( I hade 360 on mine all ok now do what i want with phone
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I have a Note 5 and my problem was an app called Photo Editor once i deleted that app my phone was back to normal.. Oh yea if that doesn't work try deleting some of those Facebook games out of your phone
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Nothing i have tried or read has turned off screen overlays and if i turn them off manually my Samsung Galaxy S 7 malfunctions totally ! Help can't post pictures can't open settings in Instagram ect. Thank you
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I am having a problem with screen overlay on my Samsung J7. I need to turn it off. I don't know how. I don't even know what it is please help!!!
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I'm completely befuddled. I rarely have tech problems but I admit that this one has me stumped. I went through all the steps but still, I can not get the QR & Barcode Scanner app to run on my Samsung phone. I know the name of the app, it is "QR & Barcode Scanner". But, that app will not let me move slide the toggle from the "OFF" position to the "ON" position. I've tried it three times now. First I closed the app, made the Settings changes, then reopened the app when I was done. Result: nothing. Next I just tried again, thinking that I must have missed something along the way but zip, Finally I uninstalled the app, turned the phone off, then on again and reinstalled the app. Again, I went through the full procedure but once again, no such luck. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? I'M PULLING MY HAIR OUT HERE. :/
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Hello.
I am happy to come with a very simple solution to you. I had the very same problem since 26/04/2017 and I did a I could but no luck. I took my fone to a cellphone repair shop and they said it's a software problem, they said I have to upgrade software. They were going to charge me R500 to format my fone and install new software and I didn't believe in that cos I update my software everytime a new version is released. I googled and I finally got a solution. As for me the only thing I have uinstalled from my fone is a DU Speed Booster and untivirus app. I reboot my fone thereafter and I was to ready to go. I guess that the things that cause such problems are the "phone cleaning and antivirus apps". U remove them and ur ready to go. Try it. Good luck! -
HI all,
I am happy to come with a very simple solution to you. I had the very same problem since 26/04/2017 and I did a I could but no luck. I took my fone to a cellphone repair shop and they said it's a software problem, they said I have to upgrade software. They were going to charge me R500 to format my fone and install new software and I didn't believe in that cos I update my software everytime a new version is released. I googled and I finally got a solution. As for me the only thing I have uinstalled from my fone is a DU Speed Booster and untivirus app. I reboot my fone thereafter and I was to ready to go. I guess that the things that cause such problems are the "phone cleaning and antivirus apps". U remove them and ur ready to go. Try it. Good luck! -
Thanks very much , removed the DU speed and battery app and solved . Your a guru.
Cheers
chris -
As you can see by all the comments, there seems to be a variety of apps that can cause this problem on the S7. In my case the culprit was Toolbox. I did not remove the app but turned the "Enable Toolbox" toggle button off from within the app. As soon as I did that, the problem went away.
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I have turned all apps that can appear on top off, including system apps, and I have the one handed gesture off as well. So what gives? What now? I am not resetting my app permissions again, because then it ruins the one I have actually gotten to work without that screen overlay message.
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FIXED:
This took over 20 forums - with the same NO-FIX solutions.
This is what I did on the GALAXY S7.
Only drawbacks to this solution was to Reapply themes (BackGrounds etc) - But otherwise thats All.
1) Switch ALL Apps to APPEAR on Top.
To do this get into Settings, select Applications > Application Manager > (Top Left) MORE > Select APPS that can appear on Top... then when the LIST Populates > Select (MORE - Top Left) again - > select Reset App Preferences.
2) Switch OFF the Phone !
3) Load into SAFE mode !
Ok a bit tricky here...
On Samsung S7 Edge Phone, Turn on phone (Power Button), when u see SAMSUNG LOGO (NOT 1st screen that shows) hold the Volume-DOWN PLUS Power button (together), then LET GO of only the Power button(still holding the VOL-Down
> After phone restarts u will see safe mode bottom left corner. DONT PANIC !
There will be NO themes here.
4)NOW go to settings, applications > when the List Populates, Give FULL Permissions to Each APP in the LIST that you are Using.(U will see it will NOW allow this.)
5)When DONE, drag the Notification shade down, and you will see a Notification saying SAFE MODE is ON.
Click there to REST and REBOOT.
6) Now RELOAD the PHONE Normally.
7) You willfind ALL your permissions INTACT and all Apps able to operate Over other apps.
DONE...! -
With me the Reboot on Safemode and setup all the permissions then restart worked
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This really worked.