How to disable overlay over other windows on Xiaomi: the complete guide

The feature of displaying over other windows (Picture-in-Picture or Overlay) on Xiaomi smartphones often interferes with users: pop-up notifications, chats or videos are superimposed on games, banking applications and even system menus. In some cases, this leads to malfunctions, accidental pressing or just annoying constant flickering. MIUI 12–15, where the function is activated by default for a number of applications.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable overlay - from standard settings to hidden developer parameters and ADB-We describe the nuances for different versions of firmware and models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5, Mi 11 et al., and why some apps ignore system limitations: If you're tired of intrusive pop-ups, read on.

Why are apps displayed on top of other windows?

Overlay in MIUI is implemented on the basis of two Android mechanisms:

• 📱 Systemic API TYPE_APPLICATION_OVERLAY — allows applications to draw on top of other windows (using messengers, launchers, games).
• 🔄 Special permits MIUI — firmware adds its own control layers that may conflict with standard Android settings.
• 🛠️ Optimization for Multitasking – in New Versions MIUI 14+ The function is activated automatically for “popular” applications (YouTube, Telegram, Viber).

The main culprits of the overlays:

• 💬 Messengers: Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber (pop-up notifications about messages).
• 🎮 Gaming services: Google Play Games, Xiaomi Game Turbo (overlays for recording screen or chat).
• 📺 Video players: YouTube, MX Player (Picture-in-Picture mode).
• 🔒 Banking applications: some of them block work if overlays are detected (for example, Sberbank Online).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ Android 12+ Some of the settings are hidden. If the standard methods don't work, you'll need to activate the developer mode or use it. ADB.

Method 1: Disabling the Overlay in the Application Settings

The easiest method is to block the overlays for a particular application through a special permissions menu, suitable for most instant messengers and players.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a problem app (such as Telegram).
3. Go to the permissions section → additional → Display on top of other windows.
4. Switch the slider to the off position.

If there is no point to display on top of other windows:

• 🔍 Check if the application is updated (older versions may have called the permission differently).
• 🛠️ Try to clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

Turn off the application from multitasking|Update the app on Google Play|Check for the "Show on top" item in the permissions|Reboot your smartphone after the changes-->

On some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) the path may be different:

Settings → Privacy → Permits → Additional → Overlay

⚠️ Note: After disabling the overlay, some features of the apps may not work properly, for example, Picture-in-Picture mode will stop working on YouTube, and pop-up notifications about new messages will stop on Telegram.

Method 2: Global overlay shutdown through special permissions

If overlays interfere with many applications, you can block the function globally for all programs (except system ones), which works on MIUI 12-14, but requires caution.

Steps:

1. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Threefold (⋮) → Special access.
2. Choose to display over other windows.
3. In the list, disable permission for all unnecessary applications (or for all at once, except system ones).

On MIUI 15 and Android 13+, a global shutdown may result in a “Detected overlay” error in banking applications, in which case you will need to use ADB (see Method 4).

MIUI 12|MIUI 13|MIUI 14|MIUI 15|I don't know.-->

Method 3: Using the Developer Mode

If standard settings don't work, you can block overlays through the developer menu, which is suitable for power users and requires activation of hidden settings.

How to turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version (you are a developer!).
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional → for developers.

Next:

• 🔍 Find Inactive Apps or Limit Background Activity.
• 📵 Turn off background activity for apps that create overlays (like Facebook, VK).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

For MIUI 14+, an additional step may be required:

Settings → For developers → Debugging → Disable HW- Overlays (Use GPU for 2D rendering)

⚠️ Warning: Disabling HW-ovlerays can cause more CPU load and quick battery discharge. Use this method only if other methods have failed.

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If after disabling overlays, the application stopped opening, clean its data (Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear data) and restart the smartphone.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If system settings prevent you from disabling overlays for a particular application (for example, due to the limitations of MIUI), you can use ADB, the Android debugging tool, which is 100% effective, but requires a connection to a PC.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must appear serial number of the device.
4. Disable overlays for the desired application (e.g. Telegram): adb shell pm revoke org.telegram.messenger android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW
5. Reboot your smartphone.

List of popular application packages for ADB:

• 📱 Telegram: org.telegram.messenger
• 📺 YouTube: com.google.android.youtube
• 💬 WhatsApp: com.whatsapp
• 🎮 Xiaomi Game Turbo: com.mi.gamecenter.sdk.service

To return permission, use the command:

adb shell pm grant org.telegram.messenger android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW

Method 5: Using third-party applications (without root)

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use third-party utilities that block overlays without superuser rights.

How to use App Ops:

1. Install the app and give it access to special permissions (you need to enable ADB or Shizuku).
2. Find a problem app (such as Viber) in the list.
3. Turn off the permission. SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW.
4. Restart the app.

⚠️ Note: Apps like App Ops may stop working after update MIUI. In this case, you will need to re-configure access through ADB.

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Third-party utilities are a good option for users without ADB experience, but they require regular updates and may conflict with system services.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after overlays are turned off, users are faced with errors.

1. "Detected overlay" error in banking applications

Reason: Applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) block work if detect active overlay (even system).

Decision:

• 🛡️ Disable overlays for all applications (see Method 2).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📱 If the error is still there, use it. ADB Disable permissions from Google Play Services (temporary solution).

2 Overlays reappear after reboot

Reason: Some apps (Facebook, Mi Video) automatically request permission when they launch.

Decision:

• 🚫 Disable Auto-Run Application (Settings) → Annexes → Auto-start).
• 🔕 Turn off notifications from the app.

3.Picture-in-Picture is not working after overlays are turned off

The reason: The PiP mode uses the same mechanism as the overlays.

Decision:

• 🎥 Enable overlays for YouTube or Google Chrome only (via Google Chrome) ADB or App Ops).
• 🔄 Use alternative players (like NewPipe) where the PiP works without overlays.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions