Why does the “Restricted access settings” banner appear?
Starting with Android 13 (API 33), Google introduced a protection mechanism: if an app is installed from outside Google Play (sideloaded, pushed via corporate MDM, etc.), the system blocks enabling its Accessibility Service and certain other “special” permissions. In the app’s App info screen you’ll see the item “Restricted access settings.” Until the user explicitly removes this block, the service toggle stays disabled.
Important: Developers have no API to lift this restriction without user action—this is by design, so that malicious apps can’t silently enable such services.
Settings → Apps → See all apps
(or long-press the app icon → App info).
Open the card of the desired app.
Tap the ⋮ menu in the upper-right corner and choose “Allow restricted settings.”
Confirm with your device PIN/code.
Return to Settings → Accessibility → Downloaded apps and flip your service’s switch to On.
After that, the block disappears and the Accessibility service starts as usual.
Verify that you’re actually trying to enable the service:
Settings → Accessibility, then attempt to toggle your service.
A “Restricted setting” dialog should pop up—tap OK.
The system automatically returns you to App info; the ⋮ → Allow… option normally appears at this point.