Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter a system message that requires special permission to work properly for certain functions, usually when you first install instant messengers, weather widgets, voice recorders or applications to record calls. MIUI or the new HyperOS system blocks the ability of the program to work in the background or block the screen until the user clearly confirms his actions.
Many users perceive these requests as errors or intrusive advertising, without understanding their technical purpose. In fact, resolution on top of other applications is a critical security mechanism for Android, which prevents unauthorized screen capture by malicious software. Without this permission, no application will be able to display a pop-up on top of what you are currently doing.
In this article, we will explain why this setting is necessary, how it affects the work of your Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi, and walk through the activation process Step-by-step. Understanding this mechanism will help you not only to adjust the necessary services, but also to protect the device from potential threats hidden behind innocuous-looking installers.
The essence of the function and principles of Android
A feature that Xiaomi often calls “Mastering on top of other apps” or “Pop-ups” in the Android kernel is known as Draw over other apps. Technically, it’s a privilege that allows an app to create windows that are visually above the current active interface. Imagine you’re watching a video in your browser and suddenly a notification of an incoming call to Viber or Telegram appears.
But in the MIUI ecosystem, this mechanism works in conjunction with an aggressive energy-saving system, where if you don't give permission, the system will think the application doesn't need to run when it's rolled down, and will force it to stop, which causes notifications to not come, widgets to not be updated, and voice messages to not be recorded in the background.
It is important to understand the difference between regular notifications and full pop-ups. Notification is a short message in the curtain, and permission on top of other applications allows you to fully interact with the user without changing context.
- 📱 Messengers using pop-up chats.
- 🎙️ Recorders and applications for recording conversations.
- 🌤️ Weather and calendar widgets on the home screen.
- 🎮 Gaming accelerators and overlays for streaming.
⚠️ Warning: Never give this permission to apps you are not sure of origin. Malware can use this feature to create fake bank or social media login windows to steal your passwords.
Xiaomi’s default system keeps this access closed to all but system programs. This is the right approach to security, but it requires manual user adjustment to comfortably operate third-party software. Ignoring the request leads to unstable functionality that the app developer claims.
Where to find permission settings in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shell interface may vary depending on the Android version and regional firmware. However, the logic of finding the right menu remains the same for all models, whether it’s a budget Redmi or a flagship Xiaomi. You can find the right switch in two main ways: through a global search or through a deep settings menu.
The fastest way is to use the search bar in the Settings menu, type the phrase “over” or “special” into it, and the system will suggest you go to the desired section. If you prefer manual navigation, the path will be as follows: Settings → Security → Special app access → Display on top of other applications. In some versions of HyperOS, this item may be in the Privacy section.
Inside this menu, you'll see a list of all the programs installed, and next to each one there's either an empty circle or an active slider, and if the slider is gray or off, the app doesn't have the right to override the screen, and you have to click on the name of the application to activate the function and switch the switch to the active state.
Note that the list of applications can be quite long, so to avoid confusion, use sorting or searching inside the permissions menu itself, and the system can mark some applications as “Not recommended” or highlight them in color if they require increased access rights.
Step-by-step instructions: how to enable access
The process of activating the resolution is as simple as possible, but it requires care, because the system can ask several times about confirmation of actions, this is done specifically to make the user aware of what he is allowing. Let's go through the algorithm of actions for a typical scenario, for example, setting up a messenger.
First, open the settings menu for your Redmi or Poco. Go to the data protection section. Find the app specialty section. In the list that opens, find the app you want (like WhatsApp or voice recorder). Click on it and you'll see a detailed description of what rights the program will receive.
☑️ Checking access settings
Once the switch is activated, the system can issue a warning about potential risks, you will need to click OK or Allow. After that, the application will be able to create its own interfaces on top of other windows. Check the function by folding the application and seeing if a pop-up or widget appears.
If the feature still doesn't work after the permission is turned on, try restarting the device. Sometimes the MIUI system takes time to apply new security policies. Also make sure the application has permission to work in the background, since the two functions are closely related.
What applications require special attention
Not all programs need this permission. Browsers, simple games, or calculators usually work without it. However, there are a category of applications for which this permission is a prerequisite for functioning. Ignoring the request from such programs will lead to their complete or partial inoperability.
This is especially true for productivity and communication tools, which, if you use desktop widgets, will not be able to update data in real time without access to background processes and display rights, and the same goes for voice assistants, which must "hear" commands even when the screen is locked.
On Xiaomi smartphones with Android 10 and above, recording conversations often requires the use of special accessibility services or rights on top of the screen to intercept the audio stream, without which recording will either not begin or will be conducted without the sound of the interlocutor.
Below is a table that systematizes the types of applications and the need for this permission for them:
| Type of application | Need for permission | Effects of denial |
|---|---|---|
| Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) | High (for pop-up windows) | Notifications only in the curtain, no quick answers |
| Widgets (Weather, Clock) | Critical | The widget is not displayed or updated |
| Call recording | Critical | Recording is not being made or without sound |
| Office packages | Low. | They work normally, no permit is required. |
| Gaming launchers | Medium | Overlays and macros don't work |
Also worth mentioning are smart home management apps like Yeelight or Mi Home.They often use pop-ups to quickly pair devices or display camera status.If you’re actively using Xiaomi’s ecosystem, properly configuring these permissions will ensure stable communication between gadgets.
Security issues and hidden risks
Granting permission to "above other apps" is a dual operation. On the one hand, it increases convenience, on the other, it opens the door to potential attacks like Clickjacking. Attackers can create an invisible window on top of the Pay button in the banking application. When you think you're clicking on a transfer confirmation, you're actually giving consent to installing a virus or sending money to scammers.
That's why Xiaomi and Google are so tightly controlling this access, because it doesn't just allow it, it alerts the user every time a new app tries to get it, and you can't ignore these warnings, because if a simple flashlight app or calculator asks for permission to display it on top of other windows, it's a red flag.
⚠️ Note: If you have installed an app from an unknown source (not from Google Play or Mi GetApps) and it requires the right over other apps, carefully check its permissions.
To minimize the risks, check the list of apps that have access to it regularly, go to the settings and see who you gave permission to a month or a year ago, and if you see an app you haven't used in a long time or a program with a suspicious name, immediately turn off the feature and delete it.
Also, be wary of apps that promise “internet speeding,” “memory cleanup,” or “free premium” for gaming.They most often require maximum access rights, including screen control, allowing them to inject ads at any point in your smartphone use.
Solving typical errors and failures
Even with the right settings, Redmi and Poco users can experience situations where the resolution seems to be on but the feature doesn’t work, most often due to aggressive MIUI energy saving, which kills the application process immediately after you roll it down to the home screen.
To fix this, you need to set up autostart and work in the background. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the desired application and select Battery. Set No Limits mode. Only in conjunction with the resolution “above other applications” this will give a stable result.
What to do if the resolution slider is gray and not pressed?
Another common problem is version conflict: Once MIUI is upgraded to HyperOS, some older applications may stop requesting permissions correctly, in which case it is recommended to clear the cache of the problematic application through the settings menu and re-enact the activation procedure.
If nothing works, check if Do Not Disturb mode or special profiles are enabled that can block pop-up notifications, and make sure that the device has enough free RAM, since when it is not enough, the system primarily closes background processes, even those with the necessary permissions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to enable “Mastering on top of other apps” for all programs at once?
Why did Xiaomi MIUI update all the permits disappear?
Can permissions on top of other applications consume battery?
How to remove the words “App can block other applications” when unlocking?
Does this setup affect the Game Turbo game mode?
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Expert advice: Once you have set all permissions, take a screenshot of the Special Access menu, which will help you quickly restore the settings in the event of a system reset or firmware update, without remembering which programs you gave permission to.
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The key takeaway: Atop other apps is a tool, not a bug. Good management makes Xiaomi a handy working tool, and blindly enabling all rights can lead to security and autonomy issues.