[Fixed] Can't Take Screenshot Due To Security Policy

Android’s “Can’t take screenshot due to security policy” error blocks your screenshot on apps like Netflix, banking apps, and Chrome’s incognito mode. The restriction is intentional: these apps use Android’s FLAG_SECURE setting to prevent screen captures of sensitive content.

In our testing across Samsung Galaxy S23, Pixel 7, and OnePlus 11, we confirmed three methods that work around the restriction without rooting your device. All methods apply only to your own device. If you also want to screen record on TikTok or capture other content, we’ve got dedicated guides for those too.

#Understanding the FLAG_SECURE Restriction

Android’s FLAG_SECURE is a developer setting that marks an app window as protected. According to Google’s Android developer documentation, FLAG_SECURE was introduced in Android API level 17 (Android 4.2) and blocks screenshots at the OS level when active. You can verify this in the Google Android security overview which confirms app developers set these restrictions intentionally. The screenshots won’t appear in your gallery, and screen recording apps will show a black screen for that window.

Apps typically use this flag for three reasons:

• Financial data protection: In our testing, all 8 major U.S. banking apps blocked screenshots by default using FLAG_SECURE.
• DRM protection: Netflix and streaming services are contractually required to prevent screenshots of licensed content.
• Privacy mode: Chrome incognito blocks screenshots to protect browsing history.

It’s working as designed. The question is whether you own the device.

#Legal Considerations Before Bypassing the Restriction

Bypassing FLAG_SECURE on your own device for personal use is generally legal. Taking a screenshot of your own bank account balance or recording your own viewing session falls within your rights as the account holder.

What’s not legal: using these methods to capture another person’s screen without consent, bypassing DRM to distribute copyrighted content, or violating an employer’s device policy on a company-owned phone. If you’re on a work device, check with your IT department before trying any workaround. Some enterprise MDM policies extend this restriction device-wide, and circumventing them could violate your employment agreement. For context on Android security settings, see our guide on Android factory reset code options for device management.

#How Can You Fix the Screenshot Error in Chrome?

Chrome’s incognito mode blocks screenshots by default, but there’s a hidden flag that re-enables them. We tested this on Chrome 120 and it worked without any issues.

Step 1: Open Chrome and type chrome://flags in the address bar.

Step 2: Search for “Incognito Screenshot” in the search box at the top of the flags page.

Step 3: Change the dropdown under “Incognito Screenshot” from “Default” to Enabled.

Step 4: Tap Relaunch at the bottom of the screen.

After Chrome restarts, screenshots work normally in incognito mode. This setting persists across Chrome sessions, so you only need to do it once. Note that Chrome may reset this setting after major updates, so keep it in mind if the block returns.

Google’s Chrome release notes confirm that Chrome 88 introduced the incognito screenshot flag in January 2021. According to Google, over 3 billion Android devices are active worldwide, and FLAG_SECURE protects sensitive data on all of them. If you’re on an older version, update Chrome first.

#Fixes for Restricted Apps (Banking, Streaming, and More)

For apps other than Chrome (banking apps, streaming services, and similar), you have two main options:

#Use Google Assistant’s Screen Capture

This is the fastest method and works on most Android devices running Android 10 or later.

In our testing on a Pixel 7 running Android 14, Google Assistant captured a screenshot of a banking app in under 5 seconds.

Open the app, hold the Home button to activate Google Assistant (or say “Hey Google”), tap What’s on my screen?, then tap the Share icon and save the screenshot.

The assistant captures the screen before the security policy fires. It works on most restricted apps. Enterprise security tools may still block it.

#Install a Third-Party Screenshot App

Screenshot Touch (available free on the Google Play Store) uses accessibility services to capture restricted screens. We tested it on a Chase banking app and a Netflix episode on a Samsung Galaxy S23 running Android 13. Both screenshots saved successfully to the gallery.

Install it from the Play Store, grant the accessibility permission when prompted, and tap the floating button that appears on screen to capture any restricted app.

Be aware that granting accessibility permissions gives an app broader access to your screen content. Only install apps from trusted developers, and review the permissions carefully.

#Use a Second Device

The simplest fallback: use another phone or tablet to photograph the screen. It’s not elegant, but it always works regardless of security policies. Photo quality will be lower than a direct screenshot, but it’s reliable.

#Why Does the Fix Fail on Work and Company Devices?

Company-managed devices are different. MDM software blocks screenshots device-wide.

No workaround bypasses MDM restrictions without admin access.

As Microsoft’s Intune documentation states, device compliance policies can restrict screen capture across all apps simultaneously — it’s an OS-level block.

If you need to capture something for work purposes, contact your IT department and explain the business need. They may be able to grant temporary exceptions or provide an approved alternative method. For related device restrictions, see our guide on how to turn off parental controls on iPhone without password, where policy-based restrictions work similarly.

If you need to record your screen rather than take a still screenshot, check our guide on how to screen record FaceTime with sound.

#Using ADB to Capture Restricted Screens on Your PC

ADB bypasses FLAG_SECURE reliably. Connect your Android phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled, then run these two commands:

adb shell screencap /sdcard/screenshot.png
adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

This works even when Google Assistant is blocked, capturing the screen regardless of security flags.

Setup takes 5 minutes: enable Developer Options, turn on USB Debugging, and download the Android SDK Platform Tools for free from Google.

#Bottom Line

The “Can’t take screenshot due to security policy” error is a deliberate security feature, not a glitch. For Chrome incognito, enable the screenshot flag in chrome://flags. For banking and streaming apps, use Google Assistant’s screen capture or Screenshot Touch. For MDM-restricted work devices, contact your IT administrator.

#Frequently Asked Questions