Draw Over Other Apps On Android- Everything You Need To Know

Android is a highly versatile operating system that offers a wide range of features and functionalities to its users. One such feature is the ability to ‘Draw Over Other Apps‘, which allows apps to display content on top of other apps running in the background. This feature is often used by apps to provide a better user experience or to offer additional features.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the ‘Draw Over Other Apps’ feature on Android, exploring everything you need to know about how it works, its benefits, security concerns, limitations, and much more. Whether you’re a regular Android user or a developer looking to implement this feature in your app, this article will provide you with all the information you need to get started. So, let’s dive in!”

If you are familiar with the “term” permissions. Then, understanding what Draw over other apps means will be much easier.

Just like other permissions on your Android phone, the draw over other apps is also permission, granting this to an app will allow it to see, record, and trace every activity on the screen. Hence, it’s very risky to grant this permission to apps you don’t trust.

But there are certain apps where granting this permission is a must. Or otherwise, (when not allowed), those apps would not function as they should. Most likely, you will see this error “Draw over other app permission is not allowed.”

Examples of such apps include screen recording apps, messaging apps, translating apps with floating icons, display filter apps, etc.

What is draw over other app means?

“Draw Over Other Apps” is a feature in Android that allows an app to display its content on top of other apps or the device’s home screen. This feature is also known as “overlay” or “floating window”.

For example, you might have seen an app that displays a small icon or notification on top of other apps to provide quick access to certain features or information. Another example is a chat app that displays a small chat head on top of the screen, allowing users to continue chatting while using other apps.

To use this feature, the app needs to request permission from the user to “draw over other apps”. Once permission is granted, the app can display its content on top of other apps or the home screen, providing a better user experience or offering additional functionality.

However, it’s important to note that some apps may misuse this feature for malicious purposes, such as displaying ads or phishing attempts. Therefore, it’s important to be cautious when granting this permission to apps and only grant it to apps that you trust.

Is it safe to allow display over other app features?

Granting an app the permission to display over other apps can potentially pose a security risk if the app is malicious or has malicious intent. If the app is granted this permission, it can display content on top of other apps, potentially allowing it to capture sensitive information or display false information.

That being said, not all apps that use this feature are malicious. Many legitimate apps, such as chat apps or productivity tools, use this feature to provide a better user experience or offer additional functionality.

To stay safe while using this feature, it’s important to carefully review the permissions requested by an app before granting them. Only grant the permission to apps that you trust and have a legitimate reason for using this feature. Additionally, keep your device and apps up-to-date with the latest security patches to minimize the risk of security vulnerabilities.

Whether or not an app should be granted this permission depends on the app itself. Essentially, reputation and popularity matter in telling the trust factor, also read the user’s review first, and always download the apps from the official app stores.

Apps that use the “Draw Over Other Apps” feature on Android:

1. Facebook Messenger: When you receive a message on Facebook Messenger, the app displays a chat head on top of other apps, allowing you to quickly reply to the message without leaving the app you’re using.
2. Google Maps: If you’re using Google Maps for navigation, the app can display a floating window with turn-by-turn directions on top of other apps, making it easier to follow the route while using other apps.
3. Screen Dimmer: This app lets you dim your device’s screen beyond the minimum brightness level, making it easier to use your device in low-light environments. The app displays a floating window on top of other apps with a slider to adjust the brightness level.
4. Twilight: Similar to Screen Dimmer, Twilight is an app that reduces the blue light emitted by your device’s screen to reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality. The app displays a floating window on top of other apps with options to adjust the intensity and duration of the filter.

While the Google Play Store takes measures to ensure that the apps available for download are safe, it’s still possible for malware to sneak through. To protect your device, it’s important to manually research the safety of an app before downloading it.

One way to do this is to read the reviews left by other users. If an app is infected with malware, users will likely rate it poorly and leave negative reviews warning others about the danger.

In addition to reading reviews, you can also check the app’s permissions and developer information to make sure they’re legitimate. By taking these steps, you can reduce the risk of downloading a malware-infected app and keep your device safe.

How to enable/ disable an app from drawing over other apps?

Step 1: Go to your phone’s settings and access the “Apps” or “Applications” section.

Step 2: Enter the setting “Apps with special permissions”

Step 3: Tap on the option saying: Display over other apps, display over other apps, or appear on top. In this option, a list of apps will show that have been granted this permission.

Choose the app to restrict this permission. By toggling on and off you can disable any permission to an app, including the display over other app permission. So, there’s no big deal.

How to use Draw over other app permission.

It’s always a good idea to carefully consider the permissions that an app is requesting before granting them. 

To use the “Draw Over Other Apps” permission on Android, you will need to first grant the permission to the app that you want to use it with.

Here are the general steps to enable this permission:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Application Manager”, depending on your device.
3. Find the app you want to use the “Draw Over Other Apps” permission with and tap on it.
4. Look for the “Draw over other apps” option and toggle the switch to the “On” position. This will grant the app permission to draw over other apps.
5. Exit the Settings app and open the app you want to use the permission with.

Once you have enabled the permission, the app can display its content on top of other apps or the home screen. The specific use of the permission will depend on the app you are using.

For example, a chat app might use this feature to display a chat head on top of other apps, allowing you to quickly respond to messages without leaving the app you are using. A navigation app might use this feature to display turn-by-turn directions on top of other apps, making it easier to follow the route while using other apps.

To exit the “Draw Over Other Apps” feature for a particular app, you can simply swipe the app’s window to the side or tap on the X button, depending on how the app has implemented the feature. You can also disable the permission for the app by following the same steps mentioned above and toggling the “Draw over other apps” switch to the “Off” position.

Troubleshooting common issues related to “Draw Over Other Apps” feature on Android.

Some common issues you may encounter when using the “Draw Over Other Apps” feature on Android, along with possible solutions:

1. The app is not displaying content on top of other apps: This could be due to a problem with the app’s implementation of the feature, or the “Draw Over Other Apps” permission may not be enabled. To troubleshoot this issue, make sure the app has permission to draw over other apps by following the steps outlined earlier. If the problem persists, try force-stopping the app, clearing its cache and data, and then restarting the app.
2. The app’s window is blocking other content: In some cases, an app’s window may be too large or positioned in a way that blocks other content on the screen. To fix this, you can try resizing or repositioning the window by dragging it with your finger. You can also try swiping the window to the side to dismiss it if you no longer need it.
3. The app is using too much battery or slowing down the device: Displaying content on top of other apps can be resource-intensive, and some apps may not be optimized for this feature. If you’re experiencing performance issues or battery drain while using the “Draw Over Other Apps” feature, you can try disabling the feature for the app or reducing the frequency or amount of content being displayed. You can also try closing other apps that are running in the background to free up resources.
4. The app’s window is not responding to touch or gestures: This could be due to a problem with the app’s implementation of the feature or an issue with the device’s touch screen. To troubleshoot this issue, try restarting the app, clearing its cache and data, or restarting the device. If the problem persists, you can try using the app without the “Draw Over Other Apps” feature or contact the app developer for further assistance.

Limitations and restrictions of using the “Draw Over Other Apps” feature on Android

While the “Draw Over Other Apps” feature on Android can be useful for many apps, it also has some limitations and restrictions that users should be aware of. Here are some common limitations and restrictions:

1. Not all Android versions support the feature: The “Draw Over Other Apps” feature is not available on all Android versions, and its availability may vary depending on the device manufacturer and model. You can check your device’s specifications to see if it supports the feature.
2. Some apps may not work properly with the feature: Not all apps are optimized to work with the “Draw Over Other Apps” feature, and some apps may not work properly or may experience performance issues when using the feature. This can result in issues such as slow performance, increased battery drain, or reduced functionality.
3. Security concerns: Allowing an app to draw over other apps can potentially pose a security risk if the app is malicious or has malicious intent. If the app is granted this permission, it can display content on top of other apps, potentially allowing it to capture sensitive information or display false information.
4. Interference with device functionality: In some cases, an app’s window may interfere with other device functionality, such as the lock screen or the home button. This can result in usability issues or make it difficult to access certain features of the device.
5. Limited window size: The “Draw Over Other Apps” feature limits the size of the window that an app can display on top of other apps. This can limit the amount of information that can be displayed and may reduce the functionality of some apps.

Why isn’t the “Draw Over the Other Apps” Feature Not Working on My Android Phone?

The display over the other app feature might not be working on your Android phone due to the following reasons:

1. Software Compatibility

You might not realize it, but older Android versions might lack the support for such features. Most manufacturers tend to prioritize certain functionalities on newer software releases, making the older devices outdated. This is why it’s so important to check your phone to know whether you’ll be able to play with certain permissions or not.

2. Hardware Limitation

Hardware constraints can also limit your ability to customize advanced settings such as displaying over other apps. If you’re using an old or budget-friendly device, chances are that it may have limited support in terms of hardware. So, in short, you won’t be able to change certain permissions on the go.

3. Manufacturer Or Security Concerns 

Certain Android brands, such as Samsung or Xiaomi, make core changes in their model’s interface. These modifications might alter or even remove certain features, including the ability to draw over other apps. While others predominantly restrict it due to security concerns especially when it comes to a particular region.

4. App Specific Issues

There are also instances in which the app itself might have bugs or compatibility issues, causing the feature not to work correctly. However, updating the app to the latest version or simply restarting your phone may seem to resolve this problem for most users.

Display Over Other Apps Feature Not Available Error – 3^rd Party Solution

Oftentimes, you may also stumble upon an error message that goes something like “Display Over Other Apps Feature Not Available.” This typically occurs when this feature is totally restricted or unavailable on the device. Here is another way on how you can fix it:

Step 1: First and foremost, open your Google App Store and search for applications by the name of “App Ops” and “Shizuku”.

Step 2: Once downloaded, open “Settings” on your device and then scroll down to the “About Phone” tab. Now look for something called “Build number” and tap it at least six times to activate the developer settings.

Step 3: Now search for the developer menu at the top bar or follow this sequence. Settings>System>Developer Options to open it manually. Scroll down a bit, and you’ll see the “USB debugging” and “Wireless debugging.” Activate them both to move to the next step.

Step 4: Once that’s done, enter the Apps Ops software and click where it says “Open Shizuku.” Here, you’ll see a Pairing tab. Selecting it will take you back to the “Wireless debugging” tab, where you need to enable the system pairing.

Pairing with Shizuku through Wireless debugging

Step 5: Click “Start” in Shizuku to start the process.

Note: Try disabling the USB debugging if it doesn’t work

Step 6: Finally, you can open the App Ops and set the “display over other apps” parameters to your liking.

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Written by Shahid Siddique

I am a software engineer with over 10 years of experience in blogging and web development. I have expertise in both front-end and back-end development, as well as database design, web security, and SEO.