Allow the application to work on top of others on Xiaomi: instructions for MIUI 2026

The “Overlay permission” feature on Xiaomi smartphones allows programs to display pop-ups, notifications, or controls on top of active applications. Without this permission, many messengers (such as Telegram or WhatsApp) will not be able to show chats in mini windows, and games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile will not be able to display transparent FPS control panels. Even system utilities like Screen Recording or Game Mode require this right to work properly.

However, in MIUI (especially versions 13-15), the setting of this resolution is hidden deep in the security menu, and the algorithm for activating it depends on the smartphone model and the firmware version. Users often face problems: the permission button is inactive, rights are reset after an update or the application does not appear in the list at all. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to enable an overlay for any application on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, and explain why sometimes the function does not work and how to fix it.

If you tried to resolve overlays through standard settings, but nothing worked, do not rush to reset the phone to factory settings. 90% of the time, the problem is solved by changing the firmware region, cleaning the cache of system applications or manual activation through ADB. We collected current methods, tested on models Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and other devices 2022-2026.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use built-in MIUI tools, but the path to the desired menu may vary depending on the shell version. Below is a universal algorithm for MIUI 12-15:

1. Open "Settings" (the gear icon on the home screen).

2. Go to the "Applications" section → "Applications Management".

3. In the upper right corner, click three dots (⋮) and select "Special Access".

4.Tap on the item "Working on top of other applications" (or "Display over other apps" in global firmware).

In the list that opens, find the application you want (like VK or Discord) and move the slider to the "Allow" position. If the application is not in the list, try running it at least once first.

• 🔍 Why isn't the app appearing on the list? Most often it's because the program didn't ask permission on an overlay. Try reinstalling it or running a feature that requires surface display (like a pop-up chat on Telegram).
• 📱 What to do if the slider is inactive? This is a typical problem for firmware in China or India, and the solution is to change the region to Europe or Russia (instruction in section 3).
• ⚙️ Resolution resets after restarting The culprit is optimizing MIUI to save battery. Add the app to Autostart and No Limits in the battery settings.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro), the "Special Access" option may be called "Extended Permits" or "Additional Permissions." If you don't find the menu, search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top).

2. Alternative path: through “Security” and “Permissions”

In some versions of MIUI (especially on older devices like the Redmi Note 8 or Mi 9T), the overlay setting is hidden in the Security menu.

1. Open Settings → Security (or Security).

2. Go to "Permissions" → "Permissions Management".

3. Find the "Other permissions" section and select "Working on top of other applications."

If this item is not available, go back to Permissions Management and search (enter “over other apps” or “over”).

You can also set up this menu:

• 🔄 Automatic permissions for system applications.
• 📊 Permissions log to see which programs have recently requested overlays.
• 🔒 Change blocking – Protection against accidental permission reset.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with MIUI for China (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Pro CN), the Security menu may not be available. In this case, use the method with ADB (Section 4) or change the firmware region.

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If the permissions change, the app still doesn’t work on top of others, try clearing its cache in the Storage menu (Settings → Apps → [program name] → Storage → Clear cache).

3. Change the firmware region to unlock overlay

One of the most common reasons why the permission button is inactive is because it's in China or India, where many of the permissions are blocked by default in MIUI versions, so you can change the region to Europe (EEA) or Global.

This can be done in two ways:

Method 1: Through settings (without data resetting)

1. Open "Settings" → "About the phone".

2. tap the MIUI version several times until the message "You are a developer!" appears.

3. Go back to the main settings menu and open "Additional settings" → "Region".

4. Select "Europe" or "Russia" and restart the device.

Method 2: Through Fastboot (requires unlocking the bootloader)

If the first method does not work, you will have to flash the device through the Fastboot:

1. Download the firmware for your region from en.miui.com.
2. Unclose the file and connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
3. Run the script. flash_all.bat (Windows or flash_all.sh (Linux/Mac).

After changing the region, check for the "Work on top of other applications" option in the settings. It usually appears immediately.

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Changing the firmware region is the most reliable way to unlock overlays, but it requires caution. Wrong firmware can lead to a device bribing. If you are not sure, use the ADB method (section 4).

4.Overlay resolution via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work and you can’t change the firmware, you can still manually activate it via ADB, which works on all versions of MIUI, including Chinese ones, but requires you to connect your phone to your computer.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging on USB on the phone (Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI → 7 taps → Developer → Debugging on USB).
• 🔌 USB-TypeC Cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Give permission to overlay for the desired application (replace com.example.app with its batch name): adb shell pm grant com.example.app android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW
5. Reboot the phone.

To find out the batch name of the application, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "appendix name"

For example, for Telegram it is org.telegram.messenger, for WhatsApp it is com.whatsapp.

⚠️ Warning: On some devices (e.g., POCO X3 Pro with MIUI 13) after the adb command, the resolution may reset after a day. To fix the result, add the application to Autostart and turn off Battery Optimization for it.

Install ADB on PC| Enable USB debugging on phone | Connect phone with original cable | Check connection with `adb devices`| Find the package name of the application

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5.Why doesn't the overlay work even after permission?

You gave all the permissions, but the app still doesn't show up on top of the others?

• 🔋 Battery optimization MIUI aggressively closes the background processes. Add the app to No Limits (Settings → Battery → Application Selection → [your app] → No Limits).
• 🛡️ Antivirus or Security MIUI The built-in antivirus can block overlays. Open Security → Scanning → Settings and turn off Malware Overlay Protection.
• 🔄 Cache system applications Clear the cache for Settings and Security (Settings → Apps → Show everything → Settings / Security → Storage → Clear the cache).
• 📱 Incompatible with MIUI Some apps (e.g., Xposed modules or modded-APK) don't support overlays on Xiaomi.

On devices with MIUI 14+ and HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), overlays may conflict with the “Space Privacy” feature.

If the problem persists, check the error log through ADB:

adb logcat | grep -i "overlay"

This will help to identify the specific reason for the blockage.

6. Features of setting up the overlay on POCO and Redmi

POCO and Redmi devices (e.g., POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) often have stripped-down versions of MIUI, where the overlay settings are hidden even deeper.

No special access menu

On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A), this item is missing. Instead, look for Application Permissions → Other Permits → Display on top of other windows.

2. Restrictions on Chinese firmware

POCO devices for China (e.g., POCO X4 GT CN) may require a region change or ADB.

Conflict with "Game Mode"

If you have enabled Game Turbo, it can block the overlay for non-gaming applications, disable it in the settings, or add the desired application to exceptions.

4. Problems with HyperOS

The new HyperOS shell (debuted on Xiaomi 14) changes the logic of permissions. Here the overlay is configured via:

Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Special Accesses → Displaying on top of other applications

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On POCO and Redmi devices with MIUI 13+, you may need to reset your settings completely (Backup → Reset → Delete all data) after changing your firmware region.

7.Security: What are the risks of overlay resolution?

Before allowing an app to run on top of others, it’s worth understanding the potential threats:

• 🕵️ Data theft: Attackers can create fake login/password windows (phishing). Allow overlays only to verified programs.
• 📲 Intrusive advertising Some apps (especially from third-party sources) may show banners over all windows.
• 🔄 Conflicts with other overlays Simultaneous operation of multiple overlay applications (e.g., messenger + screen recording) can cause lags.

How to minimize the risks:

1. Install apps only from Google Play or AppGallery.
2. Periodically check the list of allowed overlays and remove unnecessary ones.
3. Use an antivirus (such as Mi Security or Dr.Web) to scan for suspicious programs.

If you notice suspicious behavior (for example, an overlay asks you to enter a password from the bank), immediately revoke the permission and delete the application.

FAQ: Frequent questions about overlay on Xiaomi