Screen Overlay Detected - HTC 10 Questions & Answers

If this is in the wrong thread then please move to correct one.
Has anyone else had issues with this... I'll call it problem, but by the way it behaves, it seems more like its a bug.
It has only been something I've seen on Marshmallow. Try to install an app, and its 50/50 whether or not you get "screen overlay detected"
Try to give an app permission, "screen overlay detected".
I should also point out that it isnt just restricted to HTC. My partners (now apparently ticking time bomb) s7 has also had the issue
You can disable as many screen overlays as you like, it still doesnt go away.
I've noticed now, too, that anytime a chat head from facebook messenger is on screen when I try to do something like install an app, it will spit out that problem until I close the chat head. Which was never an issue, ever, before.
Where has this thing come from and why is it even a problem for Android?

Those chat heads on the messenger as well as light filters, as e.g. CF.lumen, are always screen overlays. Those overlays could read out the whole screen, and thus as well what you're typing into banking apps or similar. Thus Google updated the privacy policy of their devices in Marshmallow, ending up in this specific error message. Sometimes it's enough to just turn the screen overlay of via settings > apps, regarding Apps like FB Messenger, CF.lumen, and the like, on other times and Apps you got to reboot the device after done so, or disable the overlay within the Apps settings as well, and seldomly you got to uninstall such an App to get the problem sorted for the time being. At least that's what I could find out searching the web.
Sent from my htc_pmeuhl using XDA Labs

silegeek said:
Where has this thing come from and why is it even a problem for Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's so malicious apps don't replace the install button with something else (like an install button to install something else).
It's quite clever if you think about it.

Lambo_car16 said:
It's so malicious apps don't replace the install button with something else (like an install button to install something else).
It's quite clever if you think about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In theory I would say it's clever. In practice, it doesn't distinguish between safe apps that are harmless and those that aren't.

silegeek said:
In theory I would say it's clever. In practice, it doesn't distinguish between safe apps that are harmless and those that aren't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does the system know if an app is safe or not..?
Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

Lambo_car16 said:
How does the system know if an app is safe or not..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since Facebook messenger (and pretty much all my apps, most of which don't even have screen overlays but are in the list for it) was downloaded from Google play, I would imagine it isn't difficult to implement a system that flags it as safe.
If an app is installed via an apk, even if it is safe, I would understand more the need for concern. You never know, etc.

silegeek said:
Since Facebook messenger (and pretty much all my apps, most of which don't even have screen overlays but are in the list for it) was downloaded from Google play, I would imagine it isn't difficult to implement a system that flags it as safe.
If an app is installed via an apk, even if it is safe, I would understand more the need for concern. You never know, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be difficult to implement a system like that. You never know which app is fake or real. Maybe it was a modified version of the app, you'll never know.
Either way, the feature is there and if you want to install an app just quickly turn off your overlay. Not exactly a big problem.
Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

Related

New Samsung apps in the marketplace

Several new apps showed up in the Samsung Zone last night:
Video Call
Basically what it sounds like, a 3G-based video calling app. Unfortunately, it apparently requires a FFC, so all it does on the Focus is display an error message and quit.
RSS Times
A pretty nice Google Reader app
AllShare
Samsung's DLNA media sharing app. But again, on the Focus all it does is display a "not supported" error and quit.
FunShot
An interesting-looking (haven't played with it yet) photo editor with some "funky" effects.
MiniDiary
A diary app with text, voice, drawing and photo support.
I'd have thought OEMs would be allowed to only target certain devices for their apps, so either they can't and theyre for the omnia w (etc) or we might be inline for some driver updates...
I use Minidiary which is a good app... we cannot use vedio call app but i think its prety amazing specially cos we can make vedio calls to iphone and android phones even if they dont have this app...
i want to upgrade to omnia W phone, but i will loose all my texts and have to unlock all levels again from begining in my xbox games.. which is the only thing preventing me from switching phones..
There is also an Advanced Text Message app if you tap on "more from Samsung.." but it doesn't work either.
They should let the video call app work on phones with no ffc. At least we can see the other person or we might use a mirror.
Working dlna would have been very good.
singularity0821 said:
There is also an Advanced Text Message app if you tap on "more from Samsung.." but it doesn't work either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't see that one on my Focus, but I do see the new high fidelity positioning app, which is the first new app from Samsung that installs into the settings screen. It has two settings, one that increases GPS accuracy by using other sensors such as accelerometer and compass, and one that enables use of GLONASS (for users in Russia).
RoboDad said:
I can't see that one on my Focus, but I do see the new high fidelity positioning app, which is the first new app from Samsung that installs into the settings screen. It has two settings, one that increases GPS accuracy by using other sensors such as accelerometer and compass, and one that enables use of GLONASS (for users in Russia).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded that app. Interesting how it installs itself in your settings. My question is, what if we want to uninstall it? How do we? Holding it down doesnt give us the option.
albertleao said:
I downloaded that app. Interesting how it installs itself in your settings. My question is, what if we want to uninstall it? How do we? Holding it down doesnt give us the option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I know this isn't the same, but you can just disable it...
albertleao said:
I downloaded that app. Interesting how it installs itself in your settings. My question is, what if we want to uninstall it? How do we? Holding it down doesnt give us the option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you can sideload the xap this worked for me.
get XAPDeployX.exe
load Zune and have phone plugged into USB
start XAPDeployX.exe
load the app you want to remove from settings page
check options "force uninstall if application is already installed"
click deploy. at some point XAPDeployX will tell you that it found and successfully uninstalled the existing application.
right then you unplug the phone, just in time before it installs the new one.
voila, the app is gone from settings.
albertleao said:
I downloaded that app. Interesting how it installs itself in your settings. My question is, what if we want to uninstall it? How do we? Holding it down doesnt give us the option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is really no need to uninstall it. It takes up very little space, and if neither option is turned on, it does nothing.
RoboDad said:
There is really no need to uninstall it. It takes up very little space, and if neither option is turned on, it does nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not if you are anal like some of us that can't bare the fact that there is something stray in the settings page
derausgewanderte said:
not if you are anal like some of us that can't bare the fact that there is something stray in the settings page
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I am. OCD is my life . I just look at it as Samsung providing an app to install a Mango setting that didn't make it through development in time for the official Mango update. In other words, if the setting had been part of the Mango firmware update, there would be no way to "uninstall" it without uninstalling Mango, right?
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the setting is automatically included in future Samsung firmware updates.
Casey_boy said:
I'd have thought OEMs would be allowed to only target certain devices for their apps, so either they can't and theyre for the omnia w (etc) or we might be inline for some driver updates...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Werent we like Xbox friends before? did you just unfriended me from your xbox?
Purple11 said:
Werent we like Xbox friends before? did you just unfriended me from your xbox?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh?! No idea what you're talking about!

**AMAZING APP** Autostarts (Still useful, let me know your thoughts)

After rooting our phones, there are several apps that still run (for instance AP and AccuWeather) that I never use.
Autostarts is a really great app.
It lets you prevent apps from opening on certain occurances.
For instance, certain apps open on SMS sent/receive or call receive/sent...
It's a great way to keep apps that you never use/need from starting.
I find that this app is still applicable compared to Juice Defender and SetCPU as these newer phones seem to handle that well.
Anyone else find the same?
Thanks for the feedback.
h20wakebum said:
After rooting our phones, there are several apps that still run (for instance AP and AccuWeather) that I never use.
Autostarts is a really great app.
It lets you prevent apps from opening on certain occurances.
For instance, certain apps open on SMS sent/receive or call receive/sent...
It's a great way to keep apps that you never use/need from starting.
I find that this app is still applicable compared to Juice Defender and SetCPU as these newer phones seem to handle that well.
Anyone else find the same?
Thanks for the feedback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not just get root explorer and delete them?
WhiteWidows said:
Why not just get root explorer and delete them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try it... A lot of them are processes that cannot be deleted.
Besides...
It isn't about deleting apps.
It's about controlling when an app will start (or when it's triggered to start) based off actions.
Why do I need app x,y, z starting when i send a text message? Answer... I don't...
From the market:
Keep control over your phone: See what applications do behind your back.
Shows you what apps run on phone startup, and what other events trigger in the background. Root users can disable unwanted autostarts and speed up their phone boot.
Note: Root-Access *is* required to make changes. Otherwise, this application will be read-only.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.elsdoerfer.android.autostarts&hl=en
Titanium back up and just freeze them, but I did use ths app and it did make bit up time faster on my evo
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
jhgti said:
Titanium back up and just freeze them, but I did use ths app and it did make bit up time faster on my evo
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me rephrase as I'm not making my point (sorry!!).
Google Maps will start at bootup... also when you change connectivity on your device.
I only want Maps open when I open it...
This app lets you prevent things from opening based off certain events (boot up, outgoing sms, incoming call, connectivity change, etc).
So freezing or deleting would remove the app that you might otherwise want.
Hope that makes sense.
Oh i see yes that is true some apps will come on as soon as connectivity changes, If find good settings post some screen shot and i will do the same
h20wakebum said:
After rooting our phones, there are several apps that still run (for instance AP and AccuWeather) that I never use.
Autostarts is a really great app.
It lets you prevent apps from opening on certain occurances.
For instance, certain apps open on SMS sent/receive or call receive/sent...
It's a great way to keep apps that you never use/need from starting.
I find that this app is still applicable compared to Juice Defender and SetCPU as these newer phones seem to handle that well.
Anyone else find the same?
Thanks for the feedback.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a VERY handy app. thanks loads. this is definitely a function that android should incorporate stock like they did with task killer
I purchased this app back when I first got my evo and I am now using it with my ET. It is a very handy app to have.

[Q] Apps

I know this topic has probably been talked about already, and I am pretty sure I have already read a thread exactly like mine, but the question gets asked and then it goes off in different directions not giving an exact answer.
I have a Galaxy Nexus, brand new as of Saturday Jan 4. As soon as I got it, it got an update, I'm guessing to Android 4.0.2 since that is the version I have. My question has to do with My Verizon Mobile app, the Books app and the Email app. Will disabling these apps screw up anything with the phone, like are they very connected to any other apps or setting with the phone ?
Also, is disable like delete, if not how do I truly delete an app ? And while on topic of getting rid of things i dont use that wont effect the phone/other apps/anything, what other stock apps that come on the phone from the start could I get rid of with no side effects at all ?
Robode said:
My question has to do with My Verizon Mobile app, the Books app and the Email app. Will disabling these apps screw up anything with the phone, like are they very connected to any other apps or setting with the phone ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those 3 should be able to be disabled with no adverse effects.
Also, is disable like delete, if not how do I truly delete an app ? And while on topic of getting rid of things i dont use that wont effect the phone/other apps/anything, what other stock apps that come on the phone from the start could I get rid of with no side effects at all ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disable is just like it sounds. It removes the app from menus and stops it from running. In order to fully 100% delete system-level apps, you must be rooted.
There are many different threads/lists of "safe to disable" apps.

Question This app was launched by Google Play services?

I've noticed idle battery drain on my phone and found out that it was caused by an app (it was the Shopee app), so I tried to prevent it from running in background, like limiting its permissions, turning off notifications both in app and phone settings, restricting background activity in Battery Saver.
But after sometime it happens again. I checked in App behavior and it says the app was started by Google Play services.
What does this mean and can I stop it permanently?
If you don't use it, why keep it !
Just uninstall it.
laid1995 said:
If you don't use it, why keep it !
Just uninstall it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never said that I don't use it, can't you read? It's a shopping app and I only open it when I look for something to buy. Do you use your app 24/7???
Saphira209 said:
I have never said that I don't use it, can't you read? It's a shopping app and I only open it when I look for something to buy. Do you use your app 24/7???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, you not mentioning that u use it casually, so figured u don't use it. Still, I said "if" though.
Then try to uninstall and install it. Maybe it's the version you have.
If you have root. There are plenty of apps that can put it to sleep.
" rooting "
Hmmm, I know that Google Play Services can be launched by many apps to use any kind of sensors and APIs, but never heard of the opposite... maybe it's the case and is bad translated? In that case, try the BBS app and check what sensors are used
Saphira209 said:
I have never said that I don't use it, can't you read? It's a shopping app and I only open it when I look for something to buy. Do you use your app 24/7???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Watch your tone. No one here is obliged to help you so you might as well start talking politely.
ApexPrime said:
Watch your tone. No one here is obliged to help you so you might as well start talking politely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh sorry if my words hurt you.
Now, I was asking about GP services and strange app behavior, I want to know if someone had any similar experience. If I could just uninstall then I wouldn't waste your precious time by making this thread would I? That's just throwing the problem away, not solving it.
Saphira209 said:
Oh sorry if my words hurt you.
Now, I was asking about GP services and strange app behavior, I want to know if someone had any similar experience. If I could just uninstall then I wouldn't waste your precious time by making this thread would I? That's just throwing the problem away, not solving it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are some apps that can disable other apps to auto-start without root, but may need adb commands if running on non-root device:
Brevent
Ice Box
SuperFreezZ App stopper
Saphira209 said:
Oh sorry if my words hurt you.
Now, I was asking about GP services and strange app behavior, I want to know if someone had any similar experience. If I could just uninstall then I wouldn't waste your precious time by making this thread would I? That's just throwing the problem away, not solving it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trash app, trash behavior.
Yeah uninstalling pretty much gets rid of the cause. Wonder what else it's doing?
Solving? That's how it was designed to behave... badly. I would have ditched it the first day.
Or
Disable Google play Services when not needed.
Arguing with members trying to help you won't further you along
pl1992aw said:
There are some apps that can disable other apps to auto-start without root, but may need adb commands if running on non-root device:
Brevent
Ice Box
SuperFreezZ App stopper
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I do have magisk installed, I'll try Ice Box later and see how it works.
About the other 2, from their descriptions I think what they do is force closing unused apps automatically for you is that right? Would it be different from force closing manually? Because I did try to do that but GP services was still able to launch the app occasionally as reported in App behavior.
First time noticing play services could do this so I was really curious lol, idk if it was google services or the app developer can make it like that?
Saphira209 said:
Thank you, I do have magisk installed, I'll try Ice Box later and see how it works.
About the other 2, from their descriptions I think what they do is force closing unused apps automatically for you is that right? Would it be different from force closing manually? Because I did try to do that but GP services was still able to launch the app occasionally as reported in App behavior.
First time noticing play services could do this so I was really curious lol, idk if it was google services or the app developer can make it like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brevent prevent apps auto-start, and auto-hybernate/auto-close the app when inactive of the time set in the brevent settings.
SuperFreezZ is as you described.
The following is all just guessing:
The reason that you see GP service launch Shopee app is probably Shopee app designed it.
The culprit is more likely Shopee app. It might have designed to wakeup / auto-start when there is change of the system in some conditions, which has some links to GP service.

Question My P6P is spying me

I lately get A LOT of warnings that something is using microphone, during apps, and even in lockscreen.
I don't have the always on permission on any app.
Is it the same for you? How can I check the causes?
gpvecchi said:
I lately get A LOT of warnings that something is using microphone, during apps, and even in lockscreen.
I don't have the always on permission on any app.
Is it the same for you? How can I check the causes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uninstall Google Translate.
Have you tried going into settings privacy and then permissions manager and see what it says for microphone
gpvecchi said:
I lately get A LOT of warnings that something is using microphone, during apps, and even in lockscreen.
I don't have the always on permission on any app.
Is it the same for you? How can I check the causes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now playing, google assistant hotword, voice access, live caption, live transcribe, sound amplifier, sound notifications... there are so many features that use the microphone in the background. Are you absolutely sure that you deactivated ALL of them? And those are only the pre-installed Google Pixel features.
What kind of apps have you installed?
A post like that is not very helpful, there is simply not enough information. There can be a thousand reasons as to why the microphones get accessed in the background.
I had the same thing happening to me, then I was scrolling through Developer options one day and realized that the "Shared Data" option was highlighted, so I clicked ot and there were like 3 million "snippets" from Google translate in there. I never even OPENED the app since I got my phone. I uninstalled Google Translate and that option got greyed out. Check your developer options and see if that's highlighted.
Thanks guys, the only app that used mic in privacy settings is Google app...
gpvecchi said:
Thanks guys, the only app that used mic in privacy settings is Google app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that's good since it makes it less likely that you've installed a rogue app.
I think Google has gotten better with privacy, and can still do considerably better, but your title is wrong and misleading.
As others have noted above, Google needs access to your mike to be able to provide a bunch of its features, like Assistant and Playing Now. You can turn these off if you don't want the mike on.
Google controls the OS, s if they really wanted to "spy" on you, they would not be throwing warnings...
Where's your faraday hat?
Google's business is spying on you.
Best tips:
Root your device, cut away any/all Google apps and services as well as other malware like Facebook and replace them with alternatives except the few you can't live without.
Install a tool like App Manager (from F-droid) and strictly set permissions for everything running on your device
Run LSPosed+Xprivacy modules (requires Riru) and block out unwanted access from both apps and system processes.
If you are worried about your privacy then i am not sure buying a google product is the best place to start to protect it if i am honest.
bencozzy said:
GrapheneOS??? Sandboxes gapps in a separate user profile.
Root adds additional vulnerabilities.
Root works for devices that don't have aftermarket firmwares to degoogle but it weakens security.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root adds additional vulnerabilities.
Nope
Root works for devices that don't have aftermarket firmwares to degoogle but it weakens security.
Nope
Andrologic said:
Root adds additional vulnerabilities.
Nope
Root works for devices that don't have aftermarket firmwares to degoogle but it weakens security.
Nope
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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