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Core Troubleshooting Guide

How to Enable & Re-Enable Accessibility Service on Any Android Device

If CellTracker's Accessibility Service gets disabled on the target phone, follow this device-by-device guide to turn it back on in under 2 minutes and keep it active permanently.

What Accessibility Does Android 13–16 Restricted Settings Steps by Phone Brand Prevent Future Disabling Quick FAQs
Overview

Why Accessibility Service Must Stay Enabled for CellTracker

On non-rooted Android phones, CellTracker (disguised on the device as « GPS » or « System Service ») relies on Android's Accessibility Service to capture real-time activity without root access.

What Works When Accessibility Is ON
  • Outgoing WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Viber & Snapchat messages
  • Keylogger / typed text capture
  • Chrome & browser history tracking
  • Active app usage & screen monitoring
What Stops If Accessibility Is Disabled
  • Outgoing instant messaging logs stop updating
  • Browser URLs and keystrokes are no longer recorded
  • Call recording quality on newer Android versions may drop
  • Some app-usage details become incomplete
Stealth Name Reminder: Inside Android Settings, CellTracker does not appear as "CellTracker". Look for « GPS » (or « System Service » on select builds) under Downloaded apps / Installed services.
Android 13, 14, 15 & 16

Step 1: Unlock "Restricted Settings" First (If Greyed Out)

On Android 13 and newer, if you try to re-enable Accessibility and see "Restricted setting – For your security, this setting is currently unavailable", the toggle will stay greyed out until you unlock it:

  1. First, try tapping GPS inside Settings > Accessibility once so the Restricted setting popup appears (this triggers the unlock menu in App Info).
  2. Open phone Settings > Apps > See all apps > GPS.
  3. Tap the Three Dots (⋮) or Info icon in the top-right corner and select Allow restricted settings.
  4. Confirm with the device screen lock PIN, pattern, or fingerprint.
Restricted Setting Alert on Android

1. Restricted Alert

Tap Three Dots in App Info

2. Tap Three Dots (⋮)

Allow Restricted Settings

3. Allow Restricted

Need more help with Android 13–16 security blocks? Read our full Allow Restricted Settings Guide.

Step 2 — By Device

How to Re-Enable Accessibility by Phone Brand

Menu names differ across Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, OnePlus, Huawei, and stock Android. Select the target phone's brand below and follow the exact steps:

Samsung Galaxy (One UI — Android 10 to 16)

Settings > Accessibility > Installed apps > GPS
  1. Open phone Settings and scroll down to Accessibility.
  2. Tap Installed apps (on older One UI versions, tap Installed services).
  3. Select « GPS » from the list.
  4. Toggle the main switch ON, then tap Allow on the permission dialog. (Keep GPS shortcut toggled OFF so no floating icon appears on screen.)
  5. Stop Samsung from disabling it again: Go to Settings > Device care > Battery > Background usage limits > Turn OFF Put unused apps to sleep (or add GPS to Never sleeping apps), and under Memory > Excluded apps add GPS.

Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO (MIUI & HyperOS — Android 10 to 16)

Settings > Additional settings > Accessibility > Downloaded apps > GPS
  1. Open phone Settings > Additional settings > Accessibility.
  2. Switch to the Downloaded apps tab at the top (on HyperOS, scroll to Downloaded services).
  3. Tap « GPS » and toggle Use GPS to ON.
  4. MIUI/HyperOS shows a 10-second security warning popup. Check "I'm aware of the possible risks...", wait for the countdown, and tap OK.
  5. Stop MIUI/HyperOS from killing it again: Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps > GPS > Enable Autostart, tap Other permissions > Enable All, and set Battery saver to No restrictions. Also open the Security app > Settings (⚙️) > Boost speed > Lock apps > Turn ON for GPS.

OPPO / Realme (ColorOS & Realme UI — Android 10 to 16)

Settings > System settings (or Additional settings) > Accessibility > Downloaded apps > GPS
  1. Open Settings > System settings (on Android 10–12, tap Additional settings) > Accessibility.
  2. Tap the Downloaded apps tab (or scroll down to Downloaded services).
  3. Tap « GPS », toggle it ON, and tap Allow.
  4. Stop ColorOS from disabling it again: Go to Settings > Apps > App management > GPS > Battery usage > Turn ON Allow background activity and Allow auto-launch. Also open Phone Manager > Clean up storage > App cleanup exceptions and add GPS.

Vivo / iQOO (Funtouch OS & OriginOS — Android 10 to 16)

Settings > Shortcuts & accessibility > Accessibility > Downloaded apps / Installed services > GPS
  1. Open phone Settings and tap Shortcuts & accessibility.
  2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Accessibility.
  3. Under Downloaded apps (or Downloaded services), select « GPS ».
  4. Toggle Use GPS to ON and confirm Allow.
  5. Stop Vivo from disabling it again: Open the built-in iManager app > Security scan > Tap GPS > Move to trustlist. Then go to Settings > Apps > GPS > App battery usage and select Unrestricted / Allow background power usage.

OnePlus (OxygenOS — Android 10 to 16)

Settings > System settings (or System & updates) > Accessibility > Downloaded apps > GPS
  1. Open Settings > System settings (or System on older OxygenOS) > Accessibility.
  2. Open the Downloaded apps tab and tap « GPS ».
  3. Toggle the service ON and tap Allow.
  4. Stop OxygenOS from disabling it again: Go to Settings > Apps > App management > GPS > Battery usage > Turn ON Allow background activity (or Don't optimize), and enable Auto-launch. In Phone Manager, add GPS to App cleanup exceptions and Viruses & risks allowlist.

Huawei / Honor (EMUI & MagicOS)

Settings > Accessibility features > Accessibility > Installed services > GPS
  1. Open Settings > Accessibility features > Accessibility.
  2. Tap Installed services (or More downloaded services) and select « GPS ».
  3. Toggle GPS to ON and tap OK.
  4. Stop EMUI/MagicOS from killing it: Go to Settings > Apps > App launch > Find GPS > Switch off Manage automatically and turn ON Auto-launch, Secondary launch, and Run in background.

Google Pixel / Motorola / Stock Android (Android 10 to 16)

Settings > Accessibility > Downloaded apps > GPS
  1. Open Settings > Accessibility.
  2. Scroll to the Downloaded apps section and tap « GPS ».
  3. Toggle Use GPS to ON and tap Allow.
  4. Keep it active: Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > GPS > Tap App battery usage > Select Unrestricted, and turn OFF Pause app activity if unused.

Infinix / Tecno / itel / Sony / Asus / Other Android

Settings > Special function (or System) > Accessibility > GPS
  1. On Infinix/Tecno/itel (XOS / HiOS): Open Settings > Special function > Accessibility. On Sony/Asus/Nokia: Open Settings > Accessibility.
  2. Look under Downloaded apps / Downloaded services for « GPS ».
  3. Toggle Use GPS to ON and tap Allow.
  4. Keep it active: On Infinix/Tecno, open Phone Master > Toolbox > Auto-start management and enable GPS, and set Battery optimization to Don't optimize.
Step 3 — Prevention

How to Prevent Accessibility from Turning Off Again

Re-enabling Accessibility is only half the fix—if the phone's battery saver or cleaner kills the app again, Accessibility will reset. Always verify these 4 rules:

1. Whitelist Battery Optimization

Set GPS to Unrestricted / No restrictions / Don't optimize and turn OFF Pause app activity if unused.

See All Brand Battery Settings →
2. Exclude from RAM / Cache Cleaners

Add GPS to ignore/exception lists inside MIUI Security, OPPO Phone Manager, Vivo iManager, or uninstall third-party booster apps.

Why Cleaners Disable Accessibility →
3. Keep Google Play Protect OFF

If Play Store re-enables Play Protect after an OS update, it can revoke permissions or flag the APK. Keep Scan apps with Play Protect OFF.

How to Disable Play Protect →
4. Verify Notification Access Too

While Accessibility captures outgoing chats, Notification Access captures incoming chats. Ensure both are ON for GPS.

Fix Missing Chat Messages →
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Accessibility

For stealth operation, CellTracker is installed on the target phone under the name « GPS » (or « System Service »). Look under Downloaded apps or Installed services in Accessibility settings for GPS.

This is Android 13–16's Restricted Settings protection. Go to Settings > Apps > GPS, tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner, select Allow restricted settings, authenticate with the PIN/fingerprint, and return to Accessibility to enable it.

No. For Android security reasons, Accessibility Service can only be toggled ON manually with physical access to the phone. Once re-enabled and protected in battery settings, it will sync automatically to dashboard.celltracker.io.

Disclaimer

Celltracker.io SOFTWARE IS INTENDED FOR LEGAL USE ONLY. It is strictly prohibited to use the Celltracker.io app and related services on a device that is not owned by the user or for any illegal or unauthorized purpose. You must ensure that you have legal authorization to use and run this app and software on the device. Celltracker.io reserves the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, and/or cancel subscriptions at its discretion in cases of suspected abuse or unauthorized use of its software. The user is solely responsible for complying with all applicable laws, including but not limited to local, state, national, and international laws, when using the Celltracker.io app and software. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that they are not infringing on any intellectual property rights, violating any privacy laws, or engaging in any other illegal activities. Celltracker.io is not responsible for any damages, liabilities, or losses resulting from the use of its software, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, and consequential damages. The user agrees to indemnify and hold Celltracker.io and its affiliates, officers, employees, and agents harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising from the user's use of the software. By using the Celltracker.io app and software, the user agrees to these terms and conditions and acknowledges that they have read and understood the legal disclaimer and other restrictions set forth by the company.

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