Fix: Can’t Take a Screenshot Due to the Security Policy

The message “Can’t take a screenshot due to security policy” appears when you are prevented from taking a screenshot of your screen due to app restrictions or policies. This can occur while using incognito mode in a browser or a privacy feature within an app.

This security measure is commonly implemented when apps or websites aim to safeguard sensitive data, such as financial information or passwords, by preventing screenshots to maintain user privacy.

App restrictions and device policies can also inhibit screenshot capabilities, which is especially common on devices supplied by workplaces or educational institutions that enforce strict policies to maintain data security and integrity.

In this article, we will share various methods that you can use to circumvent the security policy.

1. Change Browser Flags

When you encounter the screenshot prevention message in a private window of a browser, it often results from stringent security policies aimed at protecting user privacy. However, these can be adjusted by accessing and altering browser flags. You can easily access these flags and modify them according to your needs to alter the browser’s behavior.

The process may vary slightly depending on whether you are using Google Chrome or Firefox. Follow the instructions below for your respective browser.

1.1. Google Chrome

1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your device.
2. In the address bar, type chrome://flags and press Enter.

   

3. Type Screenshot in the search bar at the top.
4. Select the drop-down menu under the Incognito Screenshot option.

   

5. Choose Enabled.

   

6. Tap the Relaunch button at the bottom to restart the browser.

   

1.2. Mozilla Firefox

1. Launch the Firefox browser on your device.
2. Tap the three-dots icon and select Settings.

   

3. Navigate to Private Browsing.

   

4. Toggle on the Allow screenshots in private browsing option.

   

5. Restart the browser.
6. Check if the security policy message persists.

2. Use Google Assistant

Another interesting workaround is to use Google Assistant to take screenshots, which can bypass certain app restrictions that block screenshot gestures or shortcuts. Note that not every app will allow this, as some have measures to prevent the Assistant from taking screenshots as well. Nonetheless, it is worth trying.

To use this feature, ensure Google Assistant is enabled on your device. Follow these steps to enable Google Assistant:

1. Open the Google app.
2. Tap on your profile icon.

   

3. Go to Settings.

   

4. Select Google Assistant.

   

5. Choose Hey Google & Voice Match.

   

6. Enable the Hey Google toggle.

   

7. Activate Google Assistant by saying “Hey Google, take a screenshot.” The Assistant will capture the current screen and automatically save it to your device’s gallery for access and sharing.

3. Use the Recent Apps Screen

If other methods don’t work, a last-resort option is to use the Recent Apps screen to capture a screenshot of the app in question. This workaround allows you to indirectly capture an app’s contents when direct screenshot functionality is disabled.

Remember that apps minimized to the background continue to run unless closed explicitly. The Recent Apps screen shows the most recent state of these apps, which can be used to indirectly capture a screenshot. Access the Recent Apps screen, switch to the desired app, and take your screenshot.