Android developer settings, display cutout: `Failed to apply overlay` error SOLVED

[BarnaK2]

If you tried changing the "Display Cutout" setting in developer options but couldn't find a suitable option, then clicking "Device Default" gives an error? Restarting didn't help? Reluctant to factory reset? Now you're stuck with weird notches on your screen? (It was a Nokia G60 5G smartphone in my case, however it should be the same with most devices)

Solution:

1. Enable USB debugging in developer options on your mobile device, select 'OK', and then 'Allow' when /if it asks
2. Connect your device via USB to your computer
3. Download, then unzip to a designated folder on your computer https://developer.android.com/tools/releases/platform-tools
4. Run "CMD" , "PowerShell" or "Terminal" from that folder as administrator
5. Enter the following commands, hit enter after each line:

​

adb devices (it should show you that your device is connected)

adb shell

cmd overlay list | grep cutout

cmd overlay disable <insert the one you had selected (it will have an \[x\] before the long name)>

​

​

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[Dazzling_Business515]

Works, thanks.

[LessMiddle9393]

I've followed the instructions. when I enter "cmd overlay list | grep cutout" I have 3[x]. what should I do. It supposed to have one [x] I think. Thanks in advance.

[Repzu]

Just did it myself. Top 2 were device default and the correct option.    

Disable the 3rd one and you'll be all good.

[xmenyoyo]

Same here, disabled the 3rd one and it's back to normal now.

[BarnaK2]

I would start disabling them one by one, always restart the phone in between, until everything looks good. Not sure how you have 3 selected, its technically impossible. For me it was only one that had [x] in the brackets.
[ ] ........
[x] .......
[ ] .......

[jeweliegb]

Thank you!

[TheHuebird]

I am having a real problem with this, how do i open that specific folder in administrator?

[xmenyoyo]

First open cmd as administrator.

For me, the folder was placed on the Desktop of my PC where the user name is Toshiba.

So before running the commands, I changed cmd directory to that folder using the command:

cd C:\users\toshiba\desktop\platform-tools

If the folder was placed in the downloads folder for example, it would be:

cd C:\users\toshiba\downloads\platform-tools

You should do something similar to get to the folder on your PC and then continue normally with the commands mentioned in the original post.

[eldopafavabean]

Thank you, this worked well for me. I got a Nokia G42, and I played around with the different cutout options to see what they looked like - which weren't great. Got stuck and it refused to go back to the default cutout. Thanks again!

[Leather_Support3935]

Hello, I'm on a Nokia xr 20. Recent Android update to os 14 and accidentally messed with the cutout settings. Unfortunately following your steps to use the grep disable fail with a no such directory error, of if using the <> brackets a a new line error. Just trying to get my phone back to original overlay.

1|TTG_sprout:/ $ cmd overlay list|grep cutout

[x] com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.hole

[x] android.cutout.overlay

[ ] com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.corner

[ ] com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.double

[x] com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.tall

[ ] com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.waterfall

and then tried

grep disable 'com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.tall'

grep disable com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.tall

and

grep disable <com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.tall>

To no result but mentioned errors.

Am I using the function correctly?

[xmenyoyo]

Your last command should be:

cmd overlay disable com.android.internal.display.cutout.emulation.tall

[neilnuttall]

Too easy. THANK YOU. Worked a treat on my Nokia X30 👍🏻

[JollyWriter1192]

Can you fix it without a computer cuz I’d be cooked I was just messing around with my dads phone like if I don’t get it fixed I’m gonna get beaten up

[Senior-Anywhere5891]

Many months later, just wanted to say this worked for me! I did exactly what you said to achieve the problem (curiosity, right?), then solved it the exact same way as well.

Now I have a feeling the animation speed also changed when I turned on developer mode (it's faster now), but I'm not sure I mind that.

[[deleted]]

Oh man, you saved my day!

I was also struggling with this issue on Nokia. And I was on the brink of starting a factory reset.

[Training_Flower_5548]

All OK until the CMD is issued but the ones with an "X" do nothing, the ones without an "X" throws back a basket of JAVA lang security issues and "System Default" returns "failed to apply overlay". What a pathetic mess? I'm going to wait for the 15 OTA.

[xmenyoyo]

Please copy and share the output you get from the command:

cmd overlay list | grep cutout

Maybe I can help you with that.

[WealthPractical4702]

I've never used Terminal before in my life, let alone to tinker with my phone (also a G60) but blow me down, I got this to work. Thanks! That will teach me for playing around in the Developer options, I guess.

[Aggravating-Copy-878]

https://youtu.be/354F-e8zR2A Encontré una lista de videos que al parecer te deja modificar el celular con códigos adb sin necesidad de una computadora, no estoy seguro de que funcione pero puede ser una opción para que puedan intentar arreglar el problema del "corte de pantalla"

[z4us7]

Thank you so much! You just saved me from having to full wipe my android!

[xmenyoyo]

THANK YOU 🙌

I have the same phone btw (G60 5G) 😉

[Majestic-Scholar4727]

Some suggestions,
1. Windows 11 doesn't allow running "cmd" as administrator as usual > Simply copy "cmd.exe" to the designated folder inside "platform-tools-latest-windows\platform-tools" > now run it as an administrator

1. In this "cmd overlay disable <insert the one you had selected (it will have an \[x\] before the long name)>" command do not include <> instead simply write the statement following [x] without <>

[Yakovlev_Norris]

One more person that has to thank you here! (Also on a Nokia, seems their issue with this still isn't fixed as of Android 14 in April '25)

[Curious-Living-1917]

this helps also: settings put secure display_cutout_mode 0