Display Over Other Apps: Why AuraLock Needs It
Why AuraLock needs to display over other apps and how to enable it on every device — including the extra pop-up-window toggles on MIUI, ColorOS, and EMUI.
What is "Display over other apps"?
This permission lets apps draw content on top of other apps. AuraLock uses it to show the Aura overlay when you attempt to open a restricted app.
Why does AuraLock need it?
Without this permission, AuraLock cannot show the Aura overlay screen, display the "Return to Aura" prompt, or tell you visually that an app is blocked.
How to enable it on your phone
On most phones this is one switch. On Xiaomi it is two — Android's own Display over other apps and MIUI's separate Display pop-up windows while running in the background. Pick your phone below.
Display Over Other Apps
OptionalLets the Aura screen appear right on top when something tries to interrupt you. Accessibility holds the boundary even without it.
In AuraLock: open Settings → Permissions and tap this permission — the button reads “Open Settings”. It opens this exact screen on your phone.
Xiaomi · MIUI / HyperOS
MIUI keeps TWO separate pop-up toggles — Android’s “Display over other apps” AND MIUI’s own. Missing the MIUI one is why the Aura screen never appears on Xiaomi phones.
- 1 Open Settings → Apps → Manage apps
- 2 Tap AuraLock → “Other permissions”
- 3 Turn on “Display pop-up windows while running in the background”
- 4 Also turn on “Display pop-up window” (the entry above it)
Also allow on this phone
- Other permissions → “Show on lock screen” → Allow (otherwise the Aura never shows over the lock screen)
- Other permissions → “Start in background” → Allow
Samsung · One UI
- 1 Open Settings → Apps
- 2 Tap AuraLock → “Appear on top” (older One UI: Advanced → “Appear on top”)
- 3 Choose “Allowed”
OPPO · realme · OnePlus · ColorOS
- 1 Open Settings → Apps → “Special app access”
- 2 Tap “Display over other apps”
- 3 Tap AuraLock
- 4 Choose “Allow”
Also allow on this phone
- App management → AuraLock → “Allow floating windows / pop-up windows” if your build lists it
vivo · iQOO · Funtouch / OriginOS
- 1 Open Settings → Apps & permissions → App manager
- 2 Tap AuraLock → “Display pop-up windows while running in the background”
- 3 Choose “Allow”
Huawei · Honor · EMUI / MagicOS
- 1 Open Settings → Apps → “Special access”
- 2 Tap “Display over other apps”
- 3 Tap AuraLock
- 4 Choose “Allow”
Tecno · Infinix · itel · HiOS / XOS
- 1 Open Settings → Apps → “Special access”
- 2 Tap “Display over other apps”
- 3 Tap AuraLock
- 4 Choose “Allow”
Android · Pixel · Motorola · Sony · Nokia
- 1 Open the Settings app and tap Apps (or “Apps & notifications”)
- 2 Tap “Special app access”
- 3 Tap “Display over other apps”
- 4 Tap AuraLock in the list
- 5 Turn on “Allow display over other apps”
What happens if disabled?
AuraLock cannot draw overlays, so you may not see the boundary screen when you open a restricted app. Accessibility still holds the boundary, but the visual prompt is missing.
How to verify
After enabling, run Guardian. It confirms that this permission is working, then start an Aura and open an app outside it — the boundary screen should appear on top.