How to enable display on top of other applications on Android 10: step by step

App display function on top of other windows v Android 10 is a powerful tool for multitasking, but not all users know how to configure it correctly. Without this permission, many utilities (such as floating panels, screen recording, or chatbots) simply will not work. In this article, we will look at how to enable the “On top of other applications” mode on pure Android 10 and in shells from Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and other manufacturers.

It is worth noting that Android 10 has introduced additional restrictions on background activity of applications, so the process may differ from later versions. If you use Android 11+, some steps will require adjustments. Also keep in mind that manufacturers often modify the interface - for example, in MIUI 12 or One UI 2.5 the path to the settings may differ.

Before you begin, make sure that:

📱 You have installed exactly Android 10 (check in Settings → About phone → Android version).
🔓 The application for which permission is required is already installed.
🛠️ There are no active work profiles or parental controls on the device that block system settings.

What is the “On top of other applications” mode and why do you need it

Function “Display on top of others” (English Display over other apps) allows the application to create floating windows that remain visible even when you switch to other tasks. Classic examples:

💬 Floating chats (Messenger, WhatsApp in bubble mode).
🎮 Overlays for games (for example, Game Tools from Xiaomi or NoxPlayer).
📹 Recording a screen with control buttons on top of the interface.
🔧 System utilities like Greenify or Tasker.

Without this permission, applications will either not work at all, or their functionality will be greatly reduced. For example, Screen Recorder will not be able to show the recording control panel, and Facebook Messenger will not be able to display notifications in the form of floating bubbles.

It is important to understand that In Android 10, Google has tightened the rules for background processesso some applications may Request this permission even for basic functions. It is also worth remembering about security: attackers can use overlays for phishing (for example, fake password entry windows).

⚠️ Attention: If a utility requests access “on top of other windows” for no obvious reason (for example, a simple one). calculator), this is a reason to be wary.

The standard way to turn on pure Android 10 (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia)

On devices with pure Android 10 (without shells from manufacturers), the path to the settings is as simple as possible. Follow. instructions:

Open Settings (gear in the application menu).
Go to section Applications and notifications (or Apps & notifications).
Tap on Additional (in some firmware this item may not be available).
Select Special access → Display on top of others.
In the list, find the desired application and move the switch to position On

If the application is not in the list, it probably did not request this permission. Try starting it again - sometimes the request appears only after the first opening.

Check Android version (must be 10)

Make sure the application is installed and updated

Close all background tasks (for stability)

Reboot the device if the settings do not apply-->

On some devices (for example, Nokia s Android One) the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Applications → Permissions → Additional permissions → Display on top of others

⚠️ Attention: After enabling the mode, some applications (for example, banking) may block the work if they detect active overlay. This is a protection measure against keyloggers.

Setting features on Samsung (One UI 2.0/2.5)

Devices Samsung based Android 10 use the shell One UI 2.x, where the path to the overlay settings is hidden deeper. Here are step-by-step guide:

Open Settings and go to Applications.
Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Special access.
Scroll down and find Display on top of other applications.
In the list, select the desired application and activate the switch.

If the application does not appear in the list, try:

🔄 Reinstall it.
📥 Update to the latest version.
🔧 Enable mode developer and check if the system is blocking background activity (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times).

On Samsung the function may also work "Battery optimization", which automatically turns off overlays to save battery. To avoid this:

Settings → Device care → Battery → Settings → Application optimization → Turn off for the desired application

💡

If the overlay does not appear after turning on, check the “Floating panels” settings in the application itself. For example, Messenger you need to separately activate the bubble mode in the "Notifications" section.

Instructions for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (MIUI 11/12)

The shell MIUI is known for its peculiarities in managing permissions. On Android 10 (in MIUI 11 or MIUI 12) the path to the overlay settings is as follows:

Go in Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
Select the desired application from the list.
Tap on Other permissions (or Additional permissions).
Find the item Display on top of other applications and activate it.

B MIUI there is also a system "Autorun"that can block overlays. To disable it:

Settings → Applications → Manage applications → [Select an application] → Autorun → Enable

If after these steps the overlay still does not work, check:

🔋 Energy saving mode (Settings → Battery and performance → Mode energy saving - disable for the application).
🛡️ Security (Settings → Memory and security → Permissions — sometimes you need to give access to notifications).
🔄 Restarting the device (in MIUI the settings are sometimes applied only after a reboot).

⚠️ Attention: On some models Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro) after updating to MIUI 12.5 the path to the settings may change. If you do not find the item, try searching in the settings. (magnifying glass icon at the top).

How to enable the overlay on Huawei and Honor (EMUI 10)

In the shell EMUI 10 (for Huawei i Honor on Android 10) the setup process has its own nuances. Follow these steps:

Open Settings → Applications and notifications → Management applications.
Select the desired application from the list.
Tap on Permissions → Additional permissions.
Find Display on top of other applications and turn on the switch.

In EMUI there is also a system "Application protection"that can block overlays. To disable it:

Settings → Battery → Launch applications → [Select an application] → Manually → Enable all switches

If the application still does not work after this, check:

Problem	Solution
The overlay does not appear	Restart the device and run the application again.
The resolution is reset after updating	Disable automatic optimization in: Settings → System → Reset → System optimization data-i="197">The “Display on top of others” item is not visible `Settings → System → Reset → System optimization`.
Application crashes when overlay is activated	Update the application or check compatibility with EMUI 10 on the developer's website.
The “Display on top of others” option is not visible	Make sure that you do not have Chinese firmware (they often remove this functionality).

Why may the overlay not work on Huawei?

On devices Huawei s EMUI 10 and newer there is a system «Dex Optimization»that aggressively closes background processes. If the overlay disappears after a few seconds, try adding the application to Settings → Battery → Launching applications → Block optimization. Also check if the mode is enabled “Energy saving” —it disables all overlays except system ones.

Solving common problems

Even after proper configuration, the overlay may not work. Let's look at typical scenarios and ways to fix them.

1. The resolution is enabled, but the overlay does not appear

Possible reasons:

🔄 The application does not support your version of Android (check the requirements at Google Play).
🛠️ Overlay mode is disabled in the application settings (go to its parameters).
🔋 Battery optimization is working (disable it for the application).

2. The overlay appears, but disappears after a few seconds

This is a typical problem on Xiaomi i Huawei due to aggressive memory management. Solutions:

🔧 Enable "Disable optimization" for the application in the battery settings.
📱 Transfer the application to "Protected" (to Xiaomi: Settings → Battery → Selecting battery mode).
🔄 Reboot the device - sometimes resetting the system cache helps.

3. The system writes “Unable to display over other applications”

This error occurs if:

🔒 The application does not have rights SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW (needed for overlays).
🛡️ Activated kiosk mode or parental controls.
📱 The device is in guest mode or work profile.

For diagnostics, try:

adb shell dumpsys window | grep mCurrentFocus

This command will show which application is currently active and will help identify conflicts.

💡

If the overlay does not work despite all the settings, check the application on another device. Perhaps the problem is in the app itself, and not in the Android settings.

Security: risks and how to find them. avoid

Resolution "Display on top of others" is a potential security hole. Attackers can use overlays to:

🕵️‍♂️ Phishing (fake password entry windows).
📊 Keylogging (click interception).
📱 Screen locks (extortion).

How protect yourself:

🔍 Give permission only to trusted applications (check reviews on Google Play).
🛡️ Use an antivirus with overlay protection (for example, Kaspersky or Bitdefender).
🔧 Regularly check the list of applications with this permission (Settings → Applications → Special access).

If you notice a suspicious window that does not disappear:

Click Back or Home — system overlays should close.
If the window remains, restart the device in safe mode (hold the power button → Safe Mode).
Remove the suspicious application through Settings → Applications.

⚠️ Attention: Some banking applications (for example, SberBank Online or Tinkoff) block operation when active overlays are detected. If you need to use the bank, temporarily disable all floating windows.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to enable an overlay without root access?

Yes, this is not required root access. All settings are available through the standard Android menus. However, some system utilities (for example, Xposed Framework) may require root for advanced overlay management.

Why did the overlay stop working after updating to Android 11?

Google has tightened its permission policy. Now applications must request permission Android 11 Google has tightened its permission policy. Apps should now ask for permission «SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW» through the Update dialog box, and not just through the Update settings. application until the latest version - the developers had to adapt it to the new rules.

How to remove the “Allow display on top of other applications” message?

This message appears when the application asks for permission, but you have not yet given it in the settings:

Close the application.
Enable the overlay for it via Settings → Applications → Accessibility.
Run the application again.

Is it possible to enable the overlay for all applications at once?

No, Android does not provide one functions for security reasons. Permission is granted individually for each application. This is done to protect against abuse.

Why do some devices not have the “Display on top of others” option?

This may be due to:

📱 Corporate firmware (this function is often disabled on work phones).
🛡️ Parental controls or MDM solutions (Mobile Device Management).
🇨🇳 Chinese version of the firmware (for example, on some Xiaomi for the domestic market).

In such cases, only flashing to the global version of the software will help.

How to allow an application to display on top of others on Android 10: a complete guide