How do I prevent Android taking a screenshot when my app goes to the background?

In some situations, we should not allow to take screen shots of our application. This example demonstrate about how do I prevent Android taking a screenshot when my app goes to the background.

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   android:id="@+id/parent"
   xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   tools:context=".MainActivity"
   android:gravity="center"
   android:orientation="vertical">
   <TextView
      android:id="@+id/openYoutube"
      android:text="Open youtube application"
      android:textSize="20sp"
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content" />
</LinearLayout>

In the above code, we have taken text view for some sample view.

Step 3 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

package com.example.andy.myapplication;
import android.os.Build;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.annotation.RequiresApi;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.view.WindowManager;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   @RequiresApi(api = Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN)
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      getWindow().setFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_SECURE,
      WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_SECURE);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
   }
}

In the above code we have added flags for parent window to prevent screenshots on current activity as shown below-

getWindow().setFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_SECURE,
WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_SECURE);

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run  icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen −

In the result, we are trying to take screenshot, it given blank result.

Click here to download the project code