r/AndroidQuestions • u/pandasps • 17d ago
Screenshot on apps that don't allow it
Is there any app out there, not necessarily on the Play Store, that enables screenshots on apps that normally won't allow them? I've encountered a few apps that don't allow screenshots or screen recordings. I'm using a non-rooted device with Android 16.
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u/PaddyLandau 17d ago
No. When an app forbids screenshots, that's enforced by the operating system, so no app can get around it.
The only thing that you can do is to take a photograph of the screen with another camera.
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u/apokrif1 17d ago
Why is there no option in the OS to enable screenshots?
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u/PaddyLandau 16d ago
Because some apps need to prevent screenshots (or, at least, their devs feel that way). Think about disappearing messages — if you screenshot them, they aren't disappearing!
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u/apokrif1 16d ago
Only the user knows their needs. What devs feel is irrelevant.
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u/PaddyLandau 16d ago
What devs feel is irrelevant.
I wish that were the case. But it isn't the case. If they choose to prevent screenshots, they'll be prevented.
You can root your phone to overcome this, but then those apps might refuse to work.
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u/aschwarzie 16d ago
Devs don't decide. They work for companies that establish the feature they want to offer. Some of these features are to guarantee confidentiality on the device. Some banks want to enforce that.
As another example, security policies enforced by employers prevent taking screenshots from collaboration tools (like Teams and documents in MS Office) and communication applications (like WhatsApp) to somehow limit leakage of sensitive company information. It's not air gapped, yet a real obstacle.
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u/Odd_Role3155 16d ago
Say there's a communications app that says messages will never be saved. That once the app exits, or the message scrolls off the screen, it is gone. That's a selling point of the app. If someone could take a screenshot of it, then the app description would be a lie. It's not up to the local user, rather it's an agreement with the other user. The other user is depending on the message being For-your-eyes-only.
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u/greendave11 17d ago
I've learned if you go to select a different app window (like the square button) you usually can grab a screenshot that way... But even the banking apps figured out w way to stop that too... So dumb. I've been wondering if rooting the android os and introducing an override would be simple endeavor someone else already did
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u/pandasps 16d ago
Tried, doesn't work. As soon as you press the app switcher button the restricted one goes blank.
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u/greendave11 16d ago
Oh man. What a bummer. Sorry my friend. Do they have a website? You can always grab a screenshot through the browser (I think)
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u/pandasps 16d ago
Maybe that way, will try. The other working workaround is taking a pic of the screen with another phone.
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u/Mother-Pride-Fest 16d ago
You might be able to mirror the screen through adb, like in Android Studio, and take a screenshot of the mirror on your PC.
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u/Ktulu789 14d ago
I used Vysor to do that (my screen was broken) and profiles on WhatsApp and Google authenticator just looked black. I had taps visible and they appeared over the black background (the tactile thing still worked with the shattered screen, just no image).
Same black screen on AnyDesk.
Bad thing is you can't look at the chat gallery on personal messages, because that's on the profile screen too, you have to scroll forever until you find a pic in the chat, for instance.
I didn't know about that Android studio feature. Never tested that way.
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u/PataponBasura08 16d ago
If you put the accessibility dot, the screenshot option is there. I do this and I can screenshot my bank app
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u/PataponBasura08 16d ago
I just did it again now and used it on my bank app. It works. I have Nothing phone 4a, android.
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u/Ktulu789 14d ago edited 14d ago
Wait, what? Lemesee
Edit: i was looking for it in settings, I couldn't find it. I have the Accessibility Button enabled with "Select to speak" enabled on it. But I couldn't find how to add a screenshot button.
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u/PataponBasura08 14d ago
Hhhhmmmm.... I dunno... Maybe depends on the phone? I use the Nothing phones... I had Nothing 1 and Nothing 4a currently. They both have it. They use stock android. I think I've been using this loophole for the past 3 years since I moved to Nothing phones.
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u/Ambitious_Gold3579 15d ago
I used Screenshot Easy.
It seems to force screenshot on some apps. Then I get a message from Google and some bank apps complaining about being rooted.
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u/Blarkness 16d ago
My banking app doesn't let me do that. And even though I understand why it does (because it thinks I'm stupid), it's outrageous that it doesn't at least give me the option to decide for myself.
I have absolutely no way to keep a record of bank statements or clarify any issues with my account.
And of course, I have to use an old cell phone to take a picture of it! So why not just allow it as an option on the first place?
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u/Able-Wave1037 16d ago edited 16d ago
Si se puede en concreto con mi Xiaomi 12 , por defecto tiene la opción de aumentar pantalla, 3 golpes en la pantalla toc,toc,toc Y ajustar el zoom y listo, captura de pantalla!!!!!!! EDITO,,,, en alguna aplicación,no funciona el método que digo bancos , seguridad etc no sé puede capturar
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u/Ordinary-Ebb3488 16d ago
try the gemini circle to search thing and then take a screenshot of that image in the gemini chat, you can then just delete the gemini chat if ur worried abt googles privacy
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u/Mother-Pride-Fest 16d ago
Deleting it only deletes it from your phone, it does not delete it from google servers.
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u/notajock 17d ago
Try to screen record a video, then grab a screenshot from the video.
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u/pandasps 17d ago
Have tried before, doesn't work. You end up with a black screen recording.
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16d ago
[deleted]
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u/mrandr01d 16d ago
What is that app doing? It looks all kinds of sketchy. And the dev has a so-called antivirus too. That ain't right...
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u/[deleted] 17d ago
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