Table of Contents
- Why Is “Display Over Other Apps” Not Available on Android? Fix This Frustrating Issue Now
- Why Does This Happen?
- Solutions to Enable “Display Over Other Apps”
- Solution 1: Enable Permission from the App Info Page
- Solution 2: Use Developer Options
- Solution 3: Use Special Access Settings
- Solution 4: Grant Permission via ADB (Advanced Users)
- Key Takeaways
Why Is “Display Over Other Apps” Not Available on Android? Fix This Frustrating Issue Now
If you encounter the error message, “Display over other apps feature not available because it slows down your phone,” while installing or using apps on your Android device, you’re not alone. This issue commonly affects budget smartphones and can prevent essential apps—like parental controls, app locks, or caller ID tools—from working properly.
Why Does This Happen?
- Feature Names: “Display over other apps” is also called Draw over other apps, Appear on Top, or Screen overlays.
- Purpose: This setting lets apps show content on top of others—needed for things like chat heads, app locks, and caller ID pop-ups.
- Manufacturer Restrictions: Some manufacturers disable this feature on low-end devices to improve performance and security. Malicious apps have abused overlays in the past, so disabling it helps protect users.
- Resource Limitations: On devices with limited RAM and CPU (especially Android Go edition phones), overlays can slow down the system, so the feature is often turned off.
Solutions to Enable “Display Over Other Apps”
Solution 1: Enable Permission from the App Info Page
- Locate the app icon on your home screen or app drawer.
- Long-press the icon and tap the info (“i”) button, or go to Settings > Apps and select the app.
- Find the option labeled “Appear on Top” or “Display over other apps.”
- Toggle it ON.
Solution 2: Use Developer Options
- Activate Developer Options: Go to Settings > About phone > Build number and tap it 7 times.
- Open Developer Options in Settings.
- Find and enable “Allow screen overlays on Settings.”
Solution 3: Use Special Access Settings
- Open Settings and search for “Special Access.”
- Tap “Special Access” or navigate to Settings > Apps > 3-dot menu > Special Access.
- Select “Appear on Top” or “Display over other apps.”
- Enable the toggle for the affected app.
Solution 4: Grant Permission via ADB (Advanced Users)
If all else fails, you can manually grant the required permission using your PC:
- Download and extract the Android SDK Platform-Tools (includes ADB).
- Enable USB debugging on your phone via Developer Options.
- Connect your phone to your PC with a USB cable.
- Open a command prompt in the Platform-Tools folder.
- Run adb devices to verify connection.
- Find your app’s package name (from the Play Store URL after ?id=).
- Run:
adb shell pm grant package_name android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW
- Replace package_name with your app’s actual package name (e.g., com.sp.protector.free for AppLock by SpSoft).
This command force-enables the overlay permission for the app, letting you bypass manufacturer restrictions.
Key Takeaways
- The “Display over other apps” feature is essential for many apps but may be disabled on budget devices for security and performance reasons.
- You can often re-enable it through app settings, special access menus, or developer options.
- Advanced users can use ADB commands to force-enable the permission if standard methods fail.
These steps empower you to regain control over your Android device and use your favorite apps without unnecessary restrictions.