Use accessibility services is not working. What's the problem?

NandB 20 Reputation points
2026-08-07T21:53:53.96+00:00

I just added windows defender to my Samsung Galaxy S21+, Android. I cannot get the use accessibility services to work. When it sends me to settings - accessibility, there is nothing there that has anything to do with permissions. Am I missing something?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Microsoft 365 Defender | For home | Android
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AI answer

2026-08-07T21:54:10.2966667+00:00

On Android, Microsoft Defender’s web protection uses the Accessibility Service. If Defender keeps sending the setup back to Accessibility, the usual issue is that Android has not exposed or retained the Defender accessibility entry yet, or battery/background restrictions are turning it back off.

Try this on the Samsung Galaxy S21+:

  1. Open Settings on the phone.
  2. Go to Accessibility.
  3. Look for Installed services.
  4. Find Microsoft Defender and turn it On.
  5. Tap OK to accept the service permissions.

If Microsoft Defender does not appear there, check the app’s background/battery settings because Android can revoke the accessibility permission when apps are restricted:

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Microsoft Defender.
  2. Open the Battery section.
  3. Make sure battery optimization is turned off for Defender, or set battery usage to Unrestricted if that option is available.
  4. Enable background activity for Microsoft Defender.
  5. Make sure app activity can continue even when Defender is not actively open.

Then return to the Microsoft Defender app, open the Device protection card or the web protection alert, and complete the on-screen steps again.

Important: only one app at a time can use the Android Accessibility Service for this type of protection. If another app is using that accessibility permission, Defender web protection can be turned off.

If the setting still does not appear under Accessibility, Samsung may place it under a device-specific Accessibility submenu, but the Defender entry should still be listed as an installed accessibility service.

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  1. NandB 20 Reputation points
    2026-08-07T21:59:15.88+00:00

    Answer fixed problem in less than 30 seconds.

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  2. NandB 20 Reputation points
    2026-08-07T21:58:33.2+00:00

    Answered solved problem in 30 seconds.

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