Close apps that show on top of your screen

Sometimes, Google Pay won’t work and you’ll find a message that says, “Close any app that is displaying over your screen and retry.”

For your security, you can’t use Google Pay to make transactions or manage cards and bank accounts while another app draws over the screen. These apps are blocked because they could change how your screen looks or steal your payment info.

To avoid apps that display over the Google Pay app:

1. On your device, go to Settings.
2. Select Apps and notifications Special app access Display over other apps.
3. Turn off permission for any apps that are allowed to show up on top of other apps.
4. Close any screen recording and screen filter apps.
5. Restart your device.
6. Try to use Google Pay again.

Tip: These steps might be a little different on different phones. For example, if you have a Samsung device, you can find it using a different step below:

1. On your device, go to Settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. In the overflow menu, select Special access Appear on top.

Related resources

• Protect yourself against fraud & unauthorized activity
• Beware of screen sharing apps
• FAQs