If you've ever looked at the special features settings on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, you've probably noticed the mysterious "Above Other Apps" item, which raises a lot of questions: what does it do, why does some programs ask you to turn it on, and is it not dangerous for security? In this article, we'll go into detail how the display mechanism works on top of other applications, which applications use it, and why you can't do without it in some scenarios.
At first glance, it may seem like a technical feature for developers, but it actually affects the everyday use of a smartphone, for example, without this permission, the floating windows of messengers, the overlay of game overlays, or even some features of system utilities will not work correctly, but not all users understand the risks that can lurk behind this resolution, from accidental clicks to potential security vulnerabilities. Let's get through everything in order.
What “Above Other Apps” Means on Xiaomi
Display over other apps or Draw over other apps is a special resolution in Android that allows an app to display its content on top of the interface of other programs. Simply put, if an app is allowed to “paint on top,” it can create floating windows, banners, hints, or even semi-transparent panels that will be visible regardless of which app is open at the moment.
On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO), this resolution is managed through the Settings menu → Apps → Special Features → On top of other apps. Here you will see a list of all the installed programs that theoretically can use this feature. But why is it even needed?
- 📱 Floating chats: Messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram can show pop-up message windows on top of any screen.
- 🎮 Gaming overlays: Utilities for streaming (like Twitch) or monitoring FPS (like Game Tools from Xiaomi) need this permission.
- 🔍 System utilities: Some MIUI features, such as Read Mode or Screen Write, require display over other windows.
- ⚙️ Automation: Applications like Tasker or MacroDroid use this to create overlay controls.
It’s important to understand that this is not the same as permission to access notifications or administer a device. “Above other applications” is about the visual layer – it doesn’t give an app access to your data, but can affect the usability and security of using a smartphone.
Why do apps need this permission?
At first glance, it may seem that the Above Other Applications feature is only needed by developers to create complex interfaces, but in practice it solves many everyday tasks. Here are some real-world examples of why apps ask for this permission:
1. Floating messenger windows. Imagine you're playing a game or watching a video, and at that moment an important message arrives. Without permission to display on top of other applications, the messenger will not be able to show a chat pop-up window — you will have to fold the current application to respond. With permission, you can quickly read and write a response without interrupting the main action.
2: Game assistants: Many gamers use utilities to stream, record screens, or display additional information (e.g., a FPS- counter) and these tools must overlay their elements on top of the game, otherwise they will not be visible.
3. MIUI system features. Even standard Xiaomi firmware features sometimes require this resolution, such as Read Mode (which adds a warm filter to the screen) or Screen Record (which shows a control panel over any content).
4 Automation and macros: Apps like Tasker or Automate allow you to create custom scripts with floating buttons or notifications, and without permission to display on top of other applications, these scripts will not work correctly.
⚠️ Warning: Some apps may abuse this permission by showing annoying ads or phishing windows. Always check which app requests access, and read reviews from other users before allowing it to appear on top of others.
| Type of application | Example | Why do I need permission? | Risk of abuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messengers | WhatsApp, Telegram | Floating chat windows | Low. |
| Gaming utilities | Game Tools, Discord | Overlays for streaming, FPS- counter | Medium. |
| Systemic functions | Reading mode, Screen recording | Overlay of filters and panels | Minimum |
| Automation | Tasker, MacroDroid | Floating buttons and notifications | High (depending on script) |
| Advertising SDKs | Unknown applications | Showing banners on top of the interface | Very tall. |
How to turn on or off permission on Xiaomi
If an application requests permission on top of other apps, but you don’t know how to provide it (or you want to disable it), follow this step-by-step instruction. The process may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic remains the same.
Open Settings on your smartphone | Go to Apps → Application Management |Tap three dots in the upper right corner and select Special Options |Select Over Other Apps |Look for the right app in the list and turn on the switch-->
If you want to disable this permission for a particular application (for example, if it shows annoying banners), follow the same steps, but at the end turn off the switch next to the program name. Note that some system applications (for example, MIUI Security) may automatically enable this permission - in which case, disabling it may cause the function to malfunction.
On some Xiaomi models (especially older versions of MIUI), the path to setup may be different. For example, on MIUI 12 and below, you sometimes need to go through Settings → Additional → Special Features. If you can’t find this item, search in the settings – just type “on top of other applications” and the system will tell you the right path.
⚠️ Warning: Once permission is turned off, some features of the app may stop working. For example, in Telegram, the ability to float chats will disappear, and in Game Tools, an overlay with a FPS- counter. Before you turn off, check if you are using these features.
💡
If the application stopped working correctly after disabling the permission, try restarting it or clearing the cache in the application settings, sometimes helping to restore functionality without turning on permission.
What apps most often request this permission
Not all programs need permission on top of other applications, but some categories of applications request it almost always.
- 💬 Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Facebook Messenger – for floating chat windows.
- 🎮 Game assistants: Game Tools (built into MIUI), Discord, Twitch, Xbox Game Bar - for overlays.
- 📱 Launchers and shells: Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher – for overlaying widgets.
- ⚙️ Automation Utility: Tasker, MacroDroid, Automate – for floating buttons and notifications.
- 🔍 System tools: MIUI Security, Screen Recorder, Reading Mode - for overlaying panels.
- 🚨 Antiviruses and optimizers: Clean Master, Avast – to display notifications about “problems”.
Especially careful is to be careful of applications that are not in known categories (such as random games or utilities from unknown sources).If a program asks for this permission, but does not have an obvious reason to display on top of other windows, this can be a sign of potentially unwanted software (PUP) or even malicious software.
On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 14 firmware and later, system applications (such as Game Turbo) automatically get this permission when the feature is first launched, which is done for the convenience of users, but can become a loophole for attackers if they can replace the system application.
Security: Risks and How to Avoid Them
While permission to "Above Other Apps" does not in itself give the app access to your data, it can be used for phishing or intrusive advertising.
Phishing windows: Attackers can create fake password or payment windows that look like part of a legitimate application (e.g., a banking application), and the user can enter their data into such a window without suspecting anything.
2. Intrusive advertising: Some apps (especially from unofficial sources) can show banners or videos on top of any screen, which greatly interferes with the use of a smartphone.
3. Press interception: In theory, an application can intercept touches across the screen if its floating window is located on top of the active application, which can lead to random actions (for example, sending messages or shopping).
To minimize the risks, follow these guidelines:
- 🔒 Install apps only from Google Play or Mi App Store. Avoid third-party APK apps, especially if they request suspicious permissions.
- 🛡️ Use antivirus. For example, MIUI Security or Google Play Protect can detect potentially dangerous applications.
Example of a phishing attack using this permission
Frequent problems and their solutions
Sometimes, the resolution on top of other applications may not work properly or cause failures, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Floating windows don't appear | The permission is disabled or reset after the update | Enable permission again in the settings |
| The application constantly requests permission | Application code error or conflict with MIUI | Clear the app cache or reinstall it |
| Weird banners appear on the screen | Advertising software with this permission is installed | Check the list of apps with permission and remove suspicious ones |
| A game or video slows down when showing an overlay | Lack of resources or conflict of graphic layers | Turn off unnecessary overlays or close background apps |
| System functions (e.g. screen recording) do not work | Resolution disabled for system application | Enable permission for MIUI Screen Recorder or similar |
If the application still doesn’t work correctly after enabling permission, try the following steps:
- Restart the app.
- Clear the cache and application data in settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → [app name] → Clear the cache).
- Check if there are any conflicts with other programs that use the same resolution.
- Update the app to the latest version.
- If nothing helps, call the developer for help.
⚠️ Warning: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) after the MIUI update, permissions may be reset. If you notice that floating windows have stopped working, check the special features settings.
Alternatives and workarounds
If you don’t want to give the application permission “Above Other Applications” but need its functionality, you can try alternative solutions:
1. Use notifications instead of floating windows. For example, Telegram can turn off floating chats and receive notifications through a standard notification panel, which is less convenient, but safer.
2. Run Picture-in-Picture (PiP) applications: Some apps (such as YouTube Premium or Google Maps) support PiP mode, which allows content to be displayed in a small window on top of other apps without special permission.
3. Use MIUI system functions. For example, instead of third-party utilities, you can use the built-in Settings → Screen → Screen Recording. It does not require additional permissions.
4.Configure automation through Google Assistant. Some scripts that Tasker is commonly used for can be implemented using voice commands or Google Assistant routines.
Of course, these alternatives won’t always completely replace the functionality of floating windows, but they can be a good compromise if you’re worried about security.
💡
If an application requests permission on top of other applications for no obvious reason, it's best to deny access and look for an alternative, especially for obscure programs from third-party sources.