What Does Draw Over Other Apps Mean?

What Does Draw Over Other Apps Mean? Many Android users have frequently complained about their device misbehavior due to a Screen Overlay Detected error. This error occurs when you grant permission to “draw over other apps” while installing apps with the “draw over other apps” feature.

Notification popups from apps like Facebook Messenger tend to overlay over the screen when you least expect them, thereby obstructing your view.

But there’s more to the topic. Let’s discuss the essence of the “draw over other apps” feature and its meaning in more depth.

What Does Draw Over Other Apps Mean?

Most Android apps now have the “draw over other apps” feature. This feature makes it easy for you to interact quickly with an application while running another in the background.

As a result, it helps your phone multitask more, making you more productive. If you enable the draw over other apps feature on apps that have the feature, you will be able to perform actions on those apps regardless of what is on your screen.

Since it increases its multitasking ability, your phone will always recommend enabling the “draw over other apps” feature.

Should I Disable Draw Over Other Apps?

Disabling or enabling the “draw over other apps” feature will primarily depend on your choice, but we will provide you with information to help. 

You should first know that the “draw over other apps” feature is excellent. It helps to create a more immersive experience as it allows your apps to run in the foreground while you’re not logged out of the main app you’re using.

But installing apps that require many permissions always gives them access to your information, just like the “draw over other apps” permission. So before granting apps the “draw over other apps” permission, make sure to check:

1. The general review of the app on the Google Play Store
2. Be sure that the app doesn’t have viruses and security issues.

If you are very concerned about the security of your personal information, it may be best for you to disable draw over other apps – especially when dealing with banking apps.

You won’t need to worry much about dealing with entertainment apps like media players. So you can enable the draw over other apps feature on apps like Spotify or essential apps like your Phone app.

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How To Enable And Disable Draw Over Other Apps For An App?

Follow the guide below to enable permission to “draw over other apps” on your Android device. Regardless of the Android version you own or use, you should be able to follow the same basic steps:

• STEP 1: Go to “Settings” on your Android device.
• STEP 2: Locate the “Apps & Notifications” options and tap on them.
• STEP 3: Tap the three-dot icon on the top right of your screen and tap the “Special access” option.
• STEP 4: Click on the “Draw Over Other Apps” or “Appear on top” or “Floating Window App Permission” option. All three are the “Draw Over Other Apps” option but appear with different names on different Android phones.

Disabling the “draw over other apps” permission requires different routes for different folks. Follow the steps below to disable this popup feature:

1. Disable Apps you’ve granted the Draw Over Other Apps Permission:

One of the best ways to disable the Draw Over Other Apps popup feature is to disable the feature through the apps that have permission to use the feature.

• STEP 1: Go to “Settings” on your Android device.
• STEP 2: Locate “Apps & Notification” and tap on it
• STEP 3: Tap the three-dot icon on the top-right corner of the display screen and open the “Special access” option.
• STEP 4: Locate the “Display over other apps” option. Note that the name may vary depending on the type of device you use.
• STEP 5: Check the apps permitted to draw over other apps.
• STEP 6: Turn OFF permission to draw over other apps on these apps.

2.    Unhide Bottom Bars on OnePlus Android Phones

You can disable the draw over other app feature on your OnePlus Android by unhiding the bottom bars. Here is how to do that:

• STEP 1: Go to “Settings” on your Android device.
• STEP 2: Locate the “Buttons & Gestures” sections.
• STEP 3: Open “Navigation Bar & Gestures.”
• STEP 4: Toggle OFF to unhide the bottom bar.

3.    Uninstall or Disable Quick Ball, Lux Twilight, etc.

To uninstall or disable apps like Quick Ball and Lux Twilight:

• STEP 1: Locate those apps e.d Quick Ball, Lux Twilight, etc.
• STEP 2: Press hold on their icons till a menu pops up.
• STEP 3: Select the “Uninstall” option.
• STEP 4: Confirm your choice of action.

Read also: GPay vs. Google Pay – Key Differences

How To Know What Apps Are Drawing Over The Screen?

You can discover which set of apps draw over your screen by following the procedure below:

• STEP 1: Go to “Settings” on your Android device.
• STEP 2: Locate “Apps & Notification” and tap on it
• STEP 3: Tap the three-dot icon on the top-right corner of the display and open the “Special access” option.
• STEP 4: Locate the “Display over other apps” option.
• STEP 5: Check the apps permitted to draw over other apps.

In addition, here are some apps that always request permission to draw over other apps.

1. Launchers: They include Microsoft launchers, Smart Launcher 6, Lawnchairs, etc.
2. Video calling apps: They include Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Discord, Google Meet, etc.
3. Spy Cams: They include iRecorder, Silent Camera, etc.
4. Screen Recorders: They include OneShot, AZ Screen Recorder, Mobizen, Lollipop Screen Recorder, etc.
5. Cleaning Apps: They include SD Maid, Norton Clean, Files By Google, Ace Cleaner, etc.
6. Facebook Messenger

Conclusion

We’ve taken the time to discuss the “draw over other apps” feature on android devices. We’ve discussed their pros, i.e. how they make it practical to use two applications on your Android phone effectively.

We’ve also discussed the cons, i.e. how they could steal your private information. Hopefully, everything we discussed in this article has been helpful.

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