Allow Restricted Settings for a Sideloaded Android App
After you install an app outside Play, Android may block sensitive settings (like some Accessibility options). Allow restricted settings unlocks that block for one app—only when you trust it.
What You Need
- Android 13 or newer (Pixel, Samsung, and most stock Android).
- The app already installed; you trust the developer.
- No extra apps required beyond the one you’re unlocking.
Security note: Android Help warns that allowing restricted settings lets an app reach sensitive capabilities that could put personal data at risk. Only do this for an app and developer you trust. Prefer official stores when you can.
Allow restricted settings
From Android Help. Some steps need Android 13 or newer. Labels can vary slightly by maker.
-
Step 1: Open Apps
Open the Settings app, then tap Apps.
-
Step 2: Open the app
Tap the app you need to unlock a restricted setting for.
Tip: If you can’t find it, tap See all apps or App info first.
-
Step 3: Allow restricted settings
Tap More (often ⋮) → Allow restricted settings.
Follow the on-screen instructions (you may need your PIN, pattern, password, or biometrics).
-
Step 4: Turn the setting on
Go back to the setting the app asked for (for example Accessibility or another sensitive toggle) and enable it.
If Allow restricted settings was missing earlier, try enabling the blocked setting once so Android shows the restriction, then return to App info and check More again.
Samsung Galaxy Differences
- Samsung doesn’t publish a separate “restricted settings” help article; use the same Android path: Settings > Apps → app → More → Allow restricted settings.
- On some One UI builds the item sits on the App info page instead of under More. Menu names can still vary by software version.
- Installing from outside Play / Galaxy Store is a separate control (Install unknown apps). That’s not the same as Allow restricted settings.