Unwarranted 'Screenshots'

[Susan Kay1]

I have the Note 10+, and every few hours as I'm just scrolling or reading on a page or through an app, my phone suddenly takes what seems to be a screenshot for no reason. When I've looked in my photos in the Screenshots file there is nothing new in there. This is very disconcerting and I'm wondering whether my data is being stolen, or even pictures being taken without my permission. I've seen that quite a lot of others have had this problem too, but there seems to be no proper answer for this. Hopefully someone here will be able to advise me!

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome !
If you can put phone in safe mode for few hours see if it still happens, this will turn off all 3rd party apps on the phone.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! What makes you think it's taking a screenshot? Do you hear the screenshot sound? Do you see the screen suddenly become smaller briefly, like when you normally take a screenshot?

 

[Susan Kay1]

I don't know if it makes the screenshot sound because my phone is nearly always on silent, but yes it is doing the same thing as if I had taken a screenshot like you said, the screen suddenly becomes smaller very briefly.

 

[B. Diddy]

Are you using gesture navigation? If so, could it be that you're inadvertently bringing up the Overview by swiping up from one of the corners.

 

[me just saying]

you can do a screen shot by sliding your side of your hand across the screen. sure that is not what you are doing?

 

[B. Diddy]

Here's a link that describes gesture nav: https://android.gadgethacks.com/how...-enable-gestures-your-galaxy-note-10-0207836/

 

[Susan Kay1]

Yes I'm absolutely positive. Sometimes I'll just be reading something and it'll do the same thing, it happens every few hours or so.

No I'm not using gesture navigation. It very often happens when I'm scrolling normally, just reading or even just when playing solitaire or a word search game.

 

[B. Diddy]

How frequently does it happen? Do you think you could catch it on video (i.e., take video of the screen with another device) and show it (best way would be to upload it to YouTube and then share the link).

 

[Susan Kay1]

It happens every few hours and is unpredictable unfortunately. I turned off the swipe for screenshot option, so maybe that might help? Time will tell. I'll have a better idea tomorrow because it's bedtime here right now.

 

[Lepa79]

It happens every few hours and is unpredictable unfortunately. I turned off the swipe for screenshot option, so maybe that might help? Time will tell. I'll have a better idea tomorrow because it's bedtime here right now.

This is probably what was causing it. Was going to suggest you turn that off and see what happens. Lets us know.

 

[Susan Kay1]

Alas no, about 30 minutes after last replying on this thread, it did it again. I think I'm going to return the phone, I really don't like the thought of my every move being tracked.

 

[ezdoit]

Alas no, about 30 minutes after last replying on this thread, it did it again. I think I'm going to return the phone, I really don't like the thought of my every move being tracked.

Safety is always the best option.

 

[Susan Kay1]

Yes that's right, and I'm not seeing a massive enough improvement from my Note 5 to be honest! Apart from the camera of course and that's the main thing I like, so I think I may just invest in a good camera instead.

 

[ezdoit]

Yes that's right, and I'm not seeing a massive enough improvement from my Note 5 to be honest! Apart from the camera of course and that's the main thing I like, so I think I may just invest in a good camera instead.

Your $$s, your call. Do what suits you best, the advantage of options.

 

[Gary02468]

This is very disconcerting and I'm wondering whether my data is being stolen, or even pictures being taken without my permission.

If some malware is reading what's on your phone, why would it alert you by flashing the screen?

 

[Susan Kay1]

I've no idea, but this still should not be happening.

 

[ezdoit]

If some malware is reading what's on your phone, why would it alert you by flashing the screen?

Maybe it is set up that way to confuse people - just a thought. That is why it is called malware and not goodware -

EDIT - have a 10+ coming Thursday - will see if I have the issue.

 

[mustang7757]

I've no idea, but this still should not be happening.

Definitely shouldn't happen but that's why I wanted you try safe mode for few hours , because if it's a app doing this you can stop it and rules out anything wrong with the phone.

 

[Lepa79]

Yes that's right, and I'm not seeing a massive enough improvement from my Note 5 to be honest! Apart from the camera of course and that's the main thing I like, so I think I may just invest in a good camera instead.

With all do respect. There is no comparison between Note 5 and Note 10. But your call of course. In this day and age, there is no way I will be carrying a phone and a camera (unless I am a professional photographer).