[6 Fixes] Can’t take Screenshot due to Security Policy

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We use our Android devices for a lot of things apart from just communicating with people. It is required to play games, watch movies, take pictures and videos, and possibly everything else. Apart from all of these things, taking or capturing screenshots has become a common thing for everyone.

Whether you spotted something or anything that might seem funny nice or interesting to you, capturing a screenshot is the first thing everyone does. However, there are times when for some reason you won’t be able to capture a screenshot and find an error message that says Can’t take screenshot due to Security Policy. Here are multiple fixes for ‘Can’t take Screenshot due to Security Policy.’

If you have ever tried taking a screenshot while streaming Netflix on your Android, you would simply get a notification saying that the screenshot could not be captured. The same can be said about taking screenshots of a locked profile on Facebook whether you use the app or use a browser on your phone to browse through Facebook. However, for some other apps, it is impossible to take a screenshot and this can simply boggle your mind. If you are fed up with not being able to take screenshots in certain apps and websites on your web browser, this guide is for you.

Unable to take Screenshots: Reasons

Blocked by App: Many apps like Netflix doesn’t allow users to capture screenshot inside the app. This is to avoid sharing sensitive content.

Using Incognito Mode: Since Incognito is especially used for security purposes, it also has the incognito mode locked by default. And so if you are taking screenshots in the Incognito tab, you will get the security policy warning message.

Device Restriction: If you got your work laptop from your organization, it may be possible that your laptop has restrictions other than work such as capturing screenshots.

Insufficient Storage: There could be a silly reason why you are not able to capture screenshots, and that is insufficient storage on the device. So if this is the reason, all you need to do is make some room on your phone for screenshots.

Now you know some of the common reasons for Can’t take Screenshot due to Security Policy, let’s move to the solution.

Can’t take Screenshot due to Security Policy

For various security reasons, a few apps and websites prevent users from taking screenshots. Luckily there are a few ways that you can follow to still be able to take screenshots no matter what.

Fix #1: Enable Screenshots in Chrome Incognito Mode

While you use Google Chrome for your regular browsing, you can easily take screenshots without any difficulties. However, when it comes to browsing the internet on Google Chrome using incognito mode, you are simply prevented from taking screenshots. There is a way to enable screenshots on Google Chrome. Follow these steps.

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your Android device.
  2. In the address bar at the top, simply type in chrome://flags
  3. It will open up the experiments page where you can enable or disable certain features on Google Chrome.
  4. In the search flags box, simply type in Incognito Screenshot.
  5. When you find the flag, simply tap on the Default box. It will open up a list.
    Can't take Screenshot due to Security Policy
  6. Select Enabled from the list. You will be asked to relaunch the browser. Relaunch it.
  7. Now, enter incognito mode on Google Chrome and then take a screenshot.
  8. You will now be able to take screenshots right away without having any error message.

Fix #2: Enable Screenshots in Firefox Incognito Mode

If you have the Mozilla Firefox web browser on your Android device and aren’t able to take screenshots in incognito mode you can follow these steps.

  1. First things first, make sure you are running the latest version of Firefox on your Android device.
  2. Launch the Firefox browser on your device and tap on the three-dot menu at the top right or bottom right. (Depending on how you setup your browser)
  3. From the menu, tap on Settings. You will be taken to the browser’s settings page.
    Can't take Screenshot due to Security Policy
  4. Scroll through and select the Private Browsing option.
    Can't take Screenshot due to Security Policy
  5. You will then see the Allow Screenshots in the Private Browsing toggle. Tap to switch it on.
    Can't take Screenshot due to Security Policy
  6. And that is how you can take screenshots in incognito mode without getting the Can’t take screenshots due to security policy message.

Fix #3: Device Administrators and Policies

Now, if you are using an Android device that has been provided by your organization, chances are high that there will be a lot of security policies enabled on your device that can be disabled or enabled by the organization’s administrator. In such cases, you don’t have any sort of option to disable it or even try to take screenshots. So, to take screenshots on the device, you might have to speak with your organization and see if they will enable you to take screenshots or not.

Fix #4: Take Screenshots using Google Assistant

Before we begin with this, you need to know that if you have the screenshots in incognito disabled in your browsers, even the assistant will not be able to take screenshots at all. You can use Google Assistant to take screenshots of locked profiles on Facebook. Here is how you can do it.

  1. If you do not have the Google Assistant app on your device, download it and make sure it’s updated if you already have the app.
  2. Now sign in and set up the Google Assistant if it is your first time installing it.
  3. With everything done, call the assistant and swipe it up to bring the whole assistant screen.
  4. Tap on your profile picture at the top right.
  5. Now that you are on the Settings page, scroll down till you find the General option. Tap on it.
    Can't take Screenshot due to Security Policy
  6. Simply tap on the Use Screen Content toggle and switch on the toggle for Use Screenshot.
    Can't take Screenshot due to Security Policy
  7. You can now simply swipe from the bottom of the screen or say OK Google to bring out the assistant.
  8. Simply go to the app in which you wish to take a screenshot. Invoke the Google Assistant and simply type or say โ€œOK Google, Take a Screenshotโ€
  9. The Assistant will take a screenshot right away. On older Android versions you will have options to share it anywhere, whereas on newer Android versions you will have the option to save it to your Gallery.
  10. You can also invoke the Assistant by pressing the power button. Some devices require that you have to enable them in the Settings app.

Fix #5: Cast your screen to another device

If you tried all methods and are still unable to capture screenshots, here’s another fix you can try. This will take more time than any other fix mentioned in the article. But it’s worth it if it helps.

Most phones come with an inbuilt screencast feature with different names. For example on Samsung Galaxy phones there is Dex which can be used to mirror Galaxy phones to other devices. If your phone does not have any sort of screencast by default, you can always use third party apps for that.

Can't take Screenshot due to Security Policy

Fix #6: Clear Storage

If you are unable to capture screenshot and getting error message ‘insufficient storage’, you can easily clean storage to make space for the screenshot. If there isn’t any file that you want to delete, try clearing cache from various apps like browser. This way you will have free space without sacrificing any of your file.

This is how you can take screenshots in apps when the “Can’t take Screenshot due to Security Policy” message pops up. Do note that these methods will not work all the time for each app. Some apps have it disabled for safety and security reasons. Also, be responsible while taking screenshots of things that you aren’t supposed to take. Small mistakes might end up in trouble and the only person responsible for that will be you.

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AUTHOR.

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Joshua D'souza

Enjoy games, 90's hip-hop, and tech. Loves exploring the infinite world of laptops and food. Every ready to provide assistance in anything that rocks his boat. Will gladly enjoy capturing memories through various lenses. Worked previously at PiunikaWeb as an author and researcher.

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