SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW - How to get this permission automatically on Android 6.0 and targetSdkVersion 23

Facebook, Evernote, Pocket - all apps get this permission on Android 6.0 automatically, even though they are targeting 23 (targetSdkVersion=23).

There has been a lot of documentation regarding the new Marshmallow permission model. One of them is SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW been 'promoted' to 'above dangerous' permission class thus requiring a special user intervention in order for apps to be granted with those. If the app has targetSdkVersion 22 or lower, app gets this permission automatically (if requested in the manifest).

However, I've noticed some apps that get this permission, without needing to send the user to the setting special page of Draw over other apps permission. I saw Facebook, Evernote, Pocket - and perhaps there are more.

Anyone knows how an app can be granted this permission without the user go through Settings -> Apps -> Draw over other apps?

Thanks

It is a new behaviour introduced in Marshmallow 6.0.1.

Every app that requests the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission and that is installed through the Play Store (version 6.0.5 or higher is required), will have granted the permission automatically.

If instead the app is sideloaded, the permission is not automatically granted. You can try to download and install the Evernote APK from apkmirror.com. As you can see you need to manually grant the permission in Settings -> Apps -> Draw over other apps.

These are the commits [1] [2] that allow the Play Store to give the automatic grant of the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission.

Yeh After Marshmallow come Android make security level more stick, But For

SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW

you can show floating action and anything You can Force user to give permission for it By Following Codes in your onCreate() method Put this code after setContentView

    // Check if Android M or higher
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
        // Show alert dialog to the user saying a separate permission is needed
        // Launch the settings activity if the user prefers
        Intent myIntent = new Intent(Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_OVERLAY_PERMISSION);
        startActivity(myIntent);
    }

The action ACTION_MANAGE_OVERLAY_PERMISSION directly launches the 'Draw over other apps' permission screen.

Edit: My Above Code works 100% Correct

But I just found that many guys are still searching that how can allow ACTION_MANAGE_OVERLAY_PERMISSION permanently like If user has allow Permission Once then don't ask it every time he open application so hear solution for you-

1. Check if device has API 23+

2. if 23+ API then check if user has permit or not

3. if had permit once don't drive him to Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_OVERLAY_PERMISSION and if has not permit yet then ask for runtime permission check

Put below line in your onCreate() method. Put this after setContentView

checkPermission();

Now put below code in onActivityResult

@TargetApi(Build.VERSION_CODES.M)
@Override
protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
    super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);

    if (requestCode == ACTION_MANAGE_OVERLAY_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE) {
        if (!Settings.canDrawOverlays(this)) {
            // You don't have permission
            checkPermission();
        } else {
            // Do as per your logic 
        }

    }

}

Now finally the checkPermission method code

public void checkPermission() {
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
        if (!Settings.canDrawOverlays(this)) {
            Intent intent = new Intent(Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_OVERLAY_PERMISSION,
                    Uri.parse("package:" + getPackageName()));
            startActivityForResult(intent, ACTION_MANAGE_OVERLAY_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE);
        }
    }
}

And don't forget to declare this public variable in your class

public static int ACTION_MANAGE_OVERLAY_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE = 5469;

Now(2019) that Google offers an alternative API to SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW in the form of Bubbles in Android Q, Google has decided to eventually deprecate SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW in a future Android release.

And Android Go devices will no longer grant this permission i.e Settings.canDrawOverlays() == false

For those who want to get this permission automatically when the app is downloaded from the Play Store, besides the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW in the Manifest, you should go to this link and request this from Google.

You have to provide some additional information why you need this permission and Google will review and give you the automatically permission.

Bear in mind that before you ask for this, you have to:

• Have the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission in the Manifest

• Prompt the user to grant the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission within your app, when not already granted

If I miss something feel free to update the answer

If the app targets API 22 or lower, then Play Store will give the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission and others when the user clicks to install (showing an alert) even if its device is Android 6.0 Otherwise, if the app targets API 23 or above, so that permission will be request to grant in run time.