I was attempting to capture a photo of the screen using my Samsung Galaxy Note8 Android phone this morning and was greeted with a message that told me “Can’t take screenshot due to security policy“. What could be causing this issue?
Reason 1 – Chrome Incognito Mode
The Android OS now prevents screenshots from being taken while in Incognito Mode in the Chrome browser. There is currently no way to disable this “feature”. You can install Firefox and take a screenshot in Incognito mode there, but if you are taking a screenshot in Google Chrome, you must not be using Incognito Mode to do it.
Reason 2 – Policy set on Phone
If your Android device was issued to you by a school or company, they may have enforced policies that prevent screenshots. The policy can also be enforced if you have added a company account to your phone.
You will either need to talk to the IT department, or remove the account associated with the policy from “Accounts” in “Settings“.
Reason 3 – Policy set in App
Some apps have a policy that prevents screenshots from being taken. Financial apps such as investing and banking commonly have screenshots disabled for security purposes. It prevents malicious code from being able to run in the background of your device and send a copy of your screen to a hacker.
Shirley Taylor says
I went through this in December.
It corrected but is doing it again.
Can’t install apps either
Kate says
I was having the same trouble that you’re describing. Played around with setting for an hour before clicking ‘Settings’, ‘app info’ ‘camera’ then ‘enable’ at the bottom of the screen.
Before this, I had permissions set to be able to do everything ‘while app in use’. I didn’t realise that clicking ‘enable’ would change the outcome…but it did 🥳🥳🥳
Hopefully it’s this simple for you guys too!
Malia says
I’ve noticed I am unable to screenshot my phone. How I’ve noticed that my phone would blink as if I had screenshot it.
PickleSmeller says
I’ve been trying to change my security policy for about 2 hours now. Thanks a lot, zucky.
Cathy says
Workaround can’t get screenshot: Install Google Chrome app on phone. Then make bookmark for bak account, do not use the mobile app. Then you can do screenshot as usual, except not in Incognito mode.
Me says
Touchshot doesnt work, fiddling with settings doesnt work, Mark suck-a-turd doesnt like freedom us humans enjoy that alien lizard looking sheep queef.
Toni V says
I suddenly can’t take any screenshots of websites and can’t forward a website .WTF!
Chris says
This is retarded, at best. ANYONE can grab another phone and take a photo. So why is it that ANDROID (or should I just say GOOGLE) decided that they know what’s best for us, and shut down this ability? It’s not going to stop anyone? There’s a program that I need that records my blood pressure. My doctor requests screenshots, but I guess I have to take blurry photos with another camera, then transfer to my computer, etc., etc., etc. George Orwell’s 1984 has finally struck, and Big Brother is not only listening, but he’s blocking screenshots now. Idiocy.
Matt George says
Hey Everyone! For all those facing such problems I highly recommend the ‘Touchshot’ app on the Google Play Store. Trust me it’s user friendly and easy to use!!
James White says
I’ve been trying to enable screenshots of people trying to hack into my yahoo account. Yahoo sends me messages when someone is trying to log into my yahoo email. The message has the ip address and location of the hacker. I used to be able to take the screen shot but now my samsung 8 wont let me due to the security policy. I wish there were an easy work around for this so I do t have to write an ip address down every single time.
Don says
This really all started in february/March of 2019 with and update on my Samsung Note 8… I eventually changed to a Samsung Note 9 and the phone had already been preset so that I cant take screenshots…. this includes but is not limited to banking apps, netflix series/shows/movies, and some others… Easy Dpi changer on the play store is supposed to be able to fix this… but it also says at our own risk… has anyone tried it ? And does it work ??
Mohammed Anwar Hussain says
Can not capture screenshot personal information page
jackco11 says
How to fix Android Screenshot Not Working
Here are the steps that worked for me:
>Settings
>Application
>Application Manager
>More
>Show System Apps
>Media Storage
> Enable
Nahom says
I’m not sure if anyone of you is aware about teamviewer mobile app. You need to involve two cell phones if you need the screenshot so badly.
Follow the steps:
1. Install Teamviewer in both phones (android or apple alike)
2. Connect the two phones using the teamviewer’s username and unique password, or in some phones, just click “allow” in the phone you’re giving access to.
3. Now you will be able to see the other person’s screen and activities just as if you were on your own phone.
4. Then go to one of the phones and access the information you needed to take a screenshot of.
5. At this point you, you will be seeing the same activities in both the phones.
6. Take the screenshot on the 2nd phone that is remotely accessing the host phone.
You should have no problem taking any screenshot of any kind because the app that may be restricting the acreenshot feature is not in your phone but in the host phone.
I hope this helps. Please ask if you have any further question.
Thanks!
NARAYA
offzero says
you can do whatever you want with your phone and screenshot anything. all u gotta do is hack or root or jailbreak your phone and download DPI then reset the feature from the software who made it with security is now removable. remember u live in a world of the law so if u want to break the law. go ahead at your own risk.
Mahmood says
Google Assistant takes a black screen
Gary says
Maybe I disable the media storage go to setting and try to enable it again
Ben says
This:
Jay says:July 16, 2019 at 10:51 am
If you use Google Assistant, you can hold the home key until Assistant pops up and use the “share a screenshot” option. This will get around any screenshot blocking I’ve found.
Jon says
Go to your settings and click apps. In the options view disabled and see if media or media storage or anything like that is disabled. If it is then enable it.
Star says
This was happening to me on my Android when I tried to capture an image on the Bing app. Today I went to the Bing app., then to settings, and shut off the Screen Recording Protection. Now I can screenshot on Bing.
Jay says
If you use Google Assistant, you can hold the home key until Assistant pops up and use the “share a screenshot” option. This will get around any screenshot blocking I’ve found.
Bala says
Hi,
I have configured in MobileIron my app should not allow to take screen shots from any android device. After the configuration i have installed my app through MobileIron in Samsung, Pixel and One plus devices. Now am not able to take the screen shot from app in Samsung and Pixel devices. But in One plus devices am able to take the screen shots from my App.
If there is mistake in configuration of Mobile Iron then its should allow take screen shot from all the devices. But its not working only in One plus devices. Kindly give suggestion on this.
Dan Brian says
Take a photo of your phone with another phone. the analog hole!
Mitch Bartlett says
There appears to be a few social apps that have implemented the blocking of screenshots. I haven’t posted a solution because there really is no solution. If the app developer has placed this block in the software, there is no way to undo it.
Steve Ma says
This is absurd. I was trying to take a screenshot of a conversation in a Facebook group. So I copied the link to the conversation and pasted it in my browser, then displayed the same page, and took a screenshot there.
Brenda says
Currently having the same problem. One minute I can take a screen shot off of fact next I can’t I get that message.. But at the same time I can take screen shots of other pictures on other apps etc. How do I get thelis to stop?
T says
I wonder if this is part of a recent update to our phones?? I just had this pop up in FB and it looks like all these comments are recent.
Lily says
The same thing is happening to me.
Galaxy S7.
Exclusively on Facebook.
None of the offered solutions helped.
Penny Filler says
My friends all think I’m crazy, mine started on my Note 9 after an update earlier this week. Some things i can, some I can’t, but only in Facebook.
Miracle says
The security policy thing came up on my FB app using my S8. However, when I went to the original poster’s page, I was able to take the screenshot.
Vickie says
Same for me too! Is there a way around it, or a simple fix for it? I take screenshots of a ton of things on FB daily. I’m lost without it!
Orion6661 says
I thought I was going crazy but I see there are others with this issue. Specifically in the Facebook app. Works for a while after closing the app and then comes back up again.
Can’t find any information backing it up anywhere.
Jennifer says
I’ve been having the same issue…only on Facebook. I have an S8. Super frustrating!!
Jonathan says
Mine was due to Instagram running. I closed it out and can take screenshots of anything in Facebook now
Ayden says
Same for me on fb for my s10. Works briefly after restarting my phone then back to not allowed after a few minutes.
john says
is there a way around this ?
Courtney Frost says
Just happened to me too. Just trying to take a picture of a list of ingredients and got that message too.
Tanise says
This started happening to me yesterday. I don’t think I’m in incognito mode? Frustrating.
Valerie says
Ive just changed my handset to a galaxy s10+ and having this issue but dont have it when using my note 8
L says
I’m having the same issue with FB. It’s not allowing me to take screenshots ?
Renee says
Can’t screenshot fb suddenly either
Michellbabiee says
Im having the same issue
Austin says
This just started happening on my S7. I can’t take screenshots of Facebook, but i can on everything else.
Jacqueline Graham says
The new GDPR is most likely responsible for this, it’s a higher level of the data protection rules and regulations
kat says
Same issue
Stefani says
Same here. Just started.
Holly says
I was having the same issue. I rebooted my phone and it works again.
John says
I’m having the same issue
Brandi says
This is happening with my S8+ on fb. I can’t take screenshots in fb anymore, not even of my own post. Is this something they are controlling? Nothing has changed about my phone settings.