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Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

support.google.com

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Re: Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

#171
post #27

You can use scrcpy ( https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy ) to bypass the policy if you really need to have a screenshot. All you need is to have a Linux laptop at hand, debug mode enabled, and a USB cable plugged in. Super simple stuff right? (this is satire!) Now, I'm as frustrated as anybody else here that I'm forbidden to use whatever feature I want from MY phone, for which I paid, with MY MOENY (and nobody else'…

Scrcpy is also available for Windows and Mac. The link here states, that the screenshot settings were apparently broken due to a bug. So no bad intent from Google here. Besides that, apps can declare their content as sensitive and add the `FLAG_SECURE` to their activity which then hides the app content form "unsafe screens", the "recent apps" screen and screenshots. But this is a choice of the app developer instead o…

> So no bad intent from Google here.

Including a feature in the OS that allows apps to prohibit the user from capturing the output of their own screen is bad intent.

Re: Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

#172

This is absurd... Why are the apps alerted when the user is taking a screenshot? Why can they even block that action? How can people even change that since Android is directly controlled by Google?

Apps are alerted on iOS, too. Have been for years.

Yes, but fortunately the apps on iOS can't block an OS-level feature, only take action in their app

Re: Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

#174
post #66
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Won't unlocking the bootloader make banking apps not work anymore? Had this issue when I tried LineageOS on my old phone, and I really like the convenience of those apps as opposed to using the website, which is extremely bad. Also, how do I do all you said above? (I need a step by step tutorial). Also is it reversible? Are there any other security implications?

>make banking apps not work anymore If you live in a country where you have to use your phone for banking and can't use the web then you need to talk to your politicians. That seems like a pretty extreme violation of your freedom. As much as I dislike the US at least we don't have that.

Violation of someone's freedom is a pretty silly stance, when there's plenty of banks to choose from.

Re: Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

#175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lots. Automatic watermarks. Automatic resizing. Different storage options, putting a phone frame around the screenshot, and lots of other things that are really user workflows. And that is the heart of the issue: when we restrict user workflows, we reduce the utility of the tool.

Then make it a generic image editor. What we have now is: an editor but for screenshots, an editor but for selfies, an editor but for cat photos, each with its own cloud storage which leaks (or spills) data once a year and which data is also being processed by the app owners in ways you’d be disgusted about. There’s a screenshot functionality in the OS and there’s a Share button which should work just as fine and be…

The shot->image-process->save->share cycle takes user time, and is an inconvenience that some people will even pay money to avoid. Since we're talking about screenshots, we're actually talking about typically, developers, tech writers and marketers who are automating their day-to-day workflow.

Re: Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

#176

This is absurd... Why are the apps alerted when the user is taking a screenshot? Why can they even block that action? How can people even change that since Android is directly controlled by Google?

The app isn't alerted. Rather apps can indicate they have sensitive information via FLAG_SECURE. This is useful in preventing things like your bank account information from persisting in the recents snapshots.

Why this blocks manual screenshots with no override though is bonkers insane. But likely a case of an incomplete feature than malice as it's not unreasonable to assume both entry points for screenshots hit the same internal path.

Re: Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

#177

A bunch of comments here are assuming this is something intentional on Google's part. Simply from the error message alone, it's obvious that this is a bug. As well as from how easy the workaround is. Google might do many things wrong intentionally, but I see zero evidence this is one of them. Just a bug, folks.

Yeah, the comments seem to imply a case of 'commenting before reading the content' behavior to me.

Re: Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

#178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, here’s a question: why should third party screenshooting apps exist? What benefits do they offer over the stock functionality?

Writing tutorials is a common use for screenshots. Suppose I want to write an app that makes it easier to create tutorials. It could have companion software on my desktop computer so that when I hit the enter key, it captures a screenshot and transfers it to the computer. This would eliminate tedious steps and streamline the process. It might seem like a niche application, but it seems there is tutorial creation soft…

Does one already exist?

If not, why? And what are all apps that use screenshot APIs doing? “Worse than stock but with some branding and ads?”

Just looked at what iOS screenshot apps offer. Mostly, just what I wrote above: worse functionality but with branding.

Re: Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

#179

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google's play store requires screen grabs of payment screens when submitting. They recommend you photograph the phone with a separate device...

All those highly paid, highly educated people really and truly believe this to be a solution?

Sorry, it was the Google Pay verification not play store. I did it a few weeks ago, might have misread it but pretty sure that's what they wanted.

Re: Taking screenshots isn't allowed by the app after upgrading to Android 11

#180
post #142
post #117

It's blocking you from taking screenshots today. It's blocking you from disabling location services tomorrow.

They already block you from disabling location services if you want to use bluetooth.

How is this true? I can easily disable location in apps and in settings.
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