Android Samsung A40 randomly taking screenshots

[Nocruoro87]

I use my phone a lot at work, but sonetimes i get a random notification that VLC media player and sometimes other apps have taken a screenshot and this shows up in notififations tray when unlocking phone.

How do i "stop" these random screenshots?

I use the latest Android Version 9 and have all latest updates.

 

[mustang7757]

Maybe on VLC player should check its permission?

 

[Mike Dee]

I would try deleting the apps and reinstalling but they probably need camera access for playback

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! It's odd that an app like VLC would take a screenshot. The next time this happens, take a screenshot of the notification and show us. http://forums.androidcentral.com/ge...ide-how-post-screenshots-android-central.html

 

[Nocruoro87]

I've checked permissions and VLC only has permissions for storage to use video files, Its mostly happening while watching a video on lock screen. I also use it a lot by listening to videos with the vlc lock screen active. (keeps me from being bored at work taking trash all day)

 

[Rukbat]

Are pictures actually being taken, or are you just getting notifications? (I suspect some malware.) And have you replaced the stock lock screen with something else?

 

[Nocruoro87]

Are pictures actually being taken, or are you just getting notifications? (I suspect some malware.) And have you replaced the stock lock screen with something else?

They actually get taken and i get silent notifications in my toolbar. I only use a regular pattern lockscreen and the malware is clean. The Screenshots have date and time codes like this Screenshot_20191122-1146635_VLC.jpg

 

[B. Diddy]

The fact that "VLC" is in the filename indicates that the VLC app is responsible. You mentioned this happens sometimes with other apps - do those screenshot files also have an app name associated with them?

You may want to send an email to the VLC support team to ask if they're aware of any known bugs that might lead to this.

 

[Nocruoro87]

The fact that "VLC" is in the filename indicates that the VLC app is responsible. You mentioned this happens sometimes with other apps - do those screenshot files also have an app name associated with them?

Just sent a email to them i dont know if they answer, this was the only email provided by play store
videolan.android@gmail.com

 

[B. Diddy]

Here's another place to report a bug: https://www.videolan.org/support/

 

[Nocruoro87]

I dont get any answers from them. more specifically i never created a username there when i downloaded it for pc and android. but somehow it says my email is registered there but under a unknown name i never created. so i dont want to jump through hoops there just because you need a need a registered name just to file a bug report.

 

[Nocruoro87]

A new similar problem occurred. The Android phone system itself too somehow took a screenshot of my google chrome browser while i fell alseep and the phone wasn't locked,

 

[Nocruoro87]

bump

 

[B. Diddy]

How often is this happening? If it's pretty frequent, see if it still happens in Safe Mode, which can narrow the problem down to some 3rd party app vs the system: https://www.hardreset.info/devices/samsung/samsung-galaxy-a40/safe-mode/

 

[Nocruoro87]

How often is this happening? If it's pretty frequent, see if it still happens in Safe Mode, which can narrow the problem down to some 3rd party app vs the system: https://www.hardreset.info/devices/samsung/samsung-galaxy-a40/safe-mode/

Never happens in safe mode.

I'm checking all google related apps that might have camera permissions available and i do think that things like Google Play Movies & TV hidden function in settings called picture-in-picture might be a culprit so i uninstalled it. Ill keep updated.

 

[B. Diddy]

Ultimately, you may just have to start uninstalling apps one by one until the problem goes away. Honestly, I doubt it's any of the Google apps -- focus on other 3rd party apps, especially those that aren't extremely common, or those that aren't from very well-known developers.

 

[Nocruoro87]

I've already uninstalled vlc and it wasn't the culprit. the System UI made one these screenshots of vlc today.

 

[B. Diddy]

Does that phone have the palm swipe option for screenshots? If so, it could be some kind of phantom touch that's triggering screenshots, which could happen if you have a screen protector on.

 

[Nocruoro87]

Does that phone have the palm swipe option for screenshots? If so, it could be some kind of phantom touch that's triggering screenshots, which could happen if you have a screen protector on.

Nope i have checked. It's also not a slip-cover or wallet. Just a anti-slip rubber sleeve.

 

[B. Diddy]

Hmm. What about on pg. 46 of the manual? Is that not in your settings menu? www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/SM-A405FZKDBTU/. (Of course, it's always possible that some features vary by region.)