Android 14 and Screen Capture Detection API

The Android 14 introduced a new screen capture detection API, allowing app developers to easily detect when a user has taken a screenshot without resorting to alternative hacker solutions. Apps have started using the API and can now detect when you have taken a screenshot using standard screen capture methods. The app does not know the contents of the screen. Apps like Snapchat popularized the idea of ephemeral messages, with messages disappearing after being read by the other party. However, the idea would have failed if users could save screenshots of conversations and media without any repercussions. In response, Snapchat implemented a screen capture detection method that notifies users when a screenshot of sent messages and media is taken. Google also formally implemented a screen capture detection system in Android 14, and apps using the API were finally detected. According to an Android Police report, the German shopping app OTTO adopted the screen capture detection APIs from Android 14. When a user takes a screenshot in this app, the app is notified of the action, and a toast message is displayed informing that the app detected the screenshot. Developers can then create actions as soon as the screenshot is detected. The OTTO app uses the official Android 14 API for screen capture detection. Google describes the API as follows: To create a more standardized experience for screen capture detection, Android 14 introduces a screen capture detection API that preserves privacy. This API allows apps to register callbacks per activity. These callbacks are invoked, and the user is notified when a screenshot is taken while the activity is visible. Google also notes some details about the API. On the one hand, the app is informed about the screenshot action, but not about the actual content of the screen. Google leaves it to the app to determine what was on the screen when the user took a screenshot. The developer can also decide what to do next. For example, messaging apps would like to inform the user on the other side that a screenshot was taken. Furthermore, the API can only detect a screenshot when it is taken using the combination of hardware buttons or other standard methods. The API cannot detect screenshots taken through ADB and, presumably, through root screen capture apps and a screenshot of the Recent Apps switcher screen. If an app developer wants to be stricter regarding screenshots, older APIs allow apps to completely block the ability to take screenshots. We have seen banking and video streaming apps implement this to prevent users from taking screenshots. The official Android API for screen capture detection will be an advantage for app developers, as they will no longer need to create alternative implementations like Snapchat did. Users may not like this change, so I recommend exercising good judgment when taking screenshots of conversations and other confidential content. If the other party has reason to be upset if you have taken a screenshot, consider not taking the screenshot in the first place. Would you like more apps to use the Android 14 screen capture detection API? 22 votes Yes, I don’t mind if an app knows I took a screenshot 0% Yes, I don’t mind for apps with confidential or protected content 32% No, no app needs to know if I took a screenshot 68% Comments