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Stupid screen overlay detected error

Explorerguy94

Explorerguy94

Lurker
I'm about to chuck this thing in the river! Just got the s7. I was so excited to finally be replacing my s5 active. The rep at the store had me use smart switch, or something like that to transfer everything over. Got home and started really playing with it, and nothing would work. I keep getting these permission errors and screen overlay detected errors. I've read all the Google results for possible fixes, watched all the YouTube videos, amd still nothing! I've got everything turned off. There's nothing to overlay! Still, same damn thing. Has anyone found a concrete fix to this, or am I screwed?
 
I've heard this before a couple of times. Possibly the apps that were copied over with Smartswitch are not completely 6.x Marshmallow compatible, and need updating or re-installing via Google Play on the S7. What version Android was on your S5, 5.x Lollipop possibly? Also 6.x Marshmallow has permission control per app, so could be worth checking the particular apps in settings that have permission errors.
 
I forgot to mention that it was 6.0.1. Also, I've already updated everything on the play Store. I've been able to uninstall/reinstall some of them, and that seemed to work for a few, but others don't have the option to Uninstaller. Only update or open. Each app they I get the error with, I go in and check off all the overlays,but it doesn't seem to help. I do have one app I use that is an overlay (circle sidebar), but even with it switched off, it won't work. I've even tried uninstalling it. Nothing.
 
The best I can suggest is to switch all the overlays off and turn whats needed on one at a time. I had this issue with my Note 7 and I had to write to my app Dev to sort it out.
 
I've done and redone that multiple times now. I still can't seem to get it to work properly. I called tech support last night and he had me try a few things. Delete nova launcher... Didn't work, wipe cache partition... Didn't work, and finally a factory reset. The first time I reset, I goofed and had it restore all my apps. Obviously, that made no change whatsoever. I did it again this morning, and didn't have it restore anything. It's allowed me to correct the issue on about half of my apps, but not all.
 
I'd write to an app dev and see what they have to say, as its obviously a problem unique to you they will probably be able to help.
 
In a Galaxy S5 and with this error staying on even turning off all (even system) apps off in the 'app that can overlay screens'. Same thing with 'clear cache'.

The solution: I think will work for any phone is to boot in safe mode. Here all 3rd party apps appear as 'greyed out' (like not installed). But then you can go through 'Settings -> Apps -> each of them' and review their Permissions, where you can accept them (each app will show what permissions required). This will make all your 3rd party apps updated with the correct permission.
Note, before you go into safe mode, reset all 'apps that can overlay screen'. Because if you do this after the 'safe mode task' your phone will put again your problematic app without the required permissions.
 
On the Samsung J3, which I believe has been updated to Marshmallow, I noticed the screen overlay error and that I had already toggled all the overlay permissions, including system, to off. I appear to have corrected the problem by uninstalling ES File Explorer File Manager. I'm not mad at that program, though I believe I saw a circular app launcher on my Android while that program was installed. I did not readily see a way from the ES settings to turn off the app launcher.
 
Okay, finally got it working. The button unlocker app did the trick I guess. I use a Xiaomi device, so getting into the settings of Draw Over app was a bit difficult. Any Xiaomi user try to follow the instructions here https://www.thetechminute.com/fix-screen-overlay-detected-error/ , first, disable pop-up window option for all the apps and then try to download the Button unlocker app. If that does not work, try to force stop apps such ES File Explorer etc and the try, did the trick for me.
 
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