Banking app doesn't like accessibility service

[Isshinsai96]

Bug Description
HI, this is my first time here, today I had an issue with SD Maid SE. I installed the Github version of this app and everything was normal until I tried to use a bank app, this app (bank app) warned me to uninstall SD Maid SE due to security risks because (according to the bank app) was trying to access my account. I uninstall it and it was OK, however, I tried to install it from F-Droid and I had the same results.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Install the apk. (Github or F-Droid version)
2. Configure the app normally for the use.
3. Open a bank app.
4. Bank app warning about SD Maid SE.

Expected behavior
This is strange because I have been using this app normally for a long time, from SD Maid 1 and everything was OK but just recently this happened, I'm concerned about it because it's the very first time this happens and I trust SD Maid.

Smartphone

• Device: Samsung S20 FE (Snapdragon)
• OS: Android 13 (One UI 5.1)
• Root status: No Root
• SD Maid 2/SE version: v1.5.7-rc0

Screenshots/Video

Additional context
It strange because with previous versions it was working normally, it was with this recent version that this issue was presented. If you need more details please let me know, I'll be glad if you could help me.

[MarkyMarkDE]

Unfortunately, this is not a problem caused by SD Maid 2/SE, and it is not something the developer can fix.

This situation is unfortunately quite common with many banking apps. 🔒
For security reasons, these apps apply very strict rules and automatically block access when they detect active accessibility or automation services.
This happens regardless of whether the app using those services is malicious or completely safe.

SD Maid 2/SE uses the Android accessibility service to provide certain advanced cleaning features, especially on non-rooted devices.
When this service is enabled, some banking apps interpret it as a potential risk and choose to block access as a precaution.

Important to note:

• SD Maid 2/SE does not access your bank account ❌
• SD Maid 2/SE does not read or transmit login data ❌
• SD Maid 2/SE is not dangerous ✅

The warning you see is simply the result of your bank’s security policy.
Unfortunately, SD Maid 2/SE cannot influence or change how banking apps handle accessibility services.

There is already an existing discussion about this topic, including a clear statement from the developer confirming that this behavior is outside of his control 👇
👉 Please see discussion to this topic #1911

If it worked before, one of the following likely applies:

• A setting was enabled in SD Maid 2/SE that now requires the accessibility service
• Your bank updated its app and changed its security rules

Unfortunately, there is no real solution other than:

• Temporarily disabling or uninstalling SD Maid 2/SE, or
• Using a bank that does not enforce such aggressive restrictions.

In some regions (for example, Germany), many banks do not block accessibility services in this way, so the problem does not occur there. In other countries, these restrictions are much more common.

[d4rken]

The best solution is to grant SD Maid permission to manage the accessibility service automatically. Then it will not be enabled if SD Maid is not running and "not visible" for the banking apps. See https://github.com/d4rken-org/sdmaid-se/wiki/Setup#acs-automatic-service-restart

[MarkyMarkDE]

The best solution is to grant SD Maid permission to manage the accessibility service automatically. Then it will not be enabled if SD Maid is not running and "not visible" for the banking apps. See https://github.com/d4rken-org/sdmaid-se/wiki/Setup#acs-automatic-service-restart

but this is only for advanced users, who are involved in using of adb shell 😔

[Isshinsai96]

Yeah, I'm aware SD Maid 2/SE is safe and I really trust this app because has helped me for years. I tried to follow the steps in that discussion but unfortunately I had the same results with bank app warning. However, yesterday while I was trying to fix this problem I figured out how to bypass this warning, or at least for now. What I did was:

1. Reinstall SD Maid 2/SE from F-Droid.
2. Configure the app as normal (I use Shizuku so I enabled it), however, I didn't grant accessibility services.
3. Don't close SD Maid 2/SE, keep it up running in background.
4. Open the bank app and wait for any message or warning (I didn't receive any warning this time).
5. Go back to SD Maid 2/SE and then grant the access to accessibility services.
6. Go back to the bank app and check that everything is working normally.

After this, both the bank app and SD Maid 2/SE, are working smoothly. It seems that once the bank app detects SD Maid 2/SE as not harmful then you can give accessibility services to this app. Or at least this is what seemed to happen.

I haven't restarted my phone yet and I'm not sure if this "solution" will work even after restarting the device, but by now it's the only configuration that has helped me to not stop using both apps. I'll give an update if anything changes in the coming days.

Happy new year!

[MarkyMarkDE]

Yeah, I'm aware SD Maid 2/SE is safe and I really trust this app because has helped me for years. I tried to follow the steps in that discussion but unfortunately I had the same results with bank app warning. However, yesterday while I was trying to fix this problem I figured out how to bypass this warning, or at least for now. What I did was:

1. Reinstall **SD Maid 2/SE** from F-Droid.

2. Configure the app as normal (I use Shizuku so I enabled it), however, I didn't grant accessibility services.

3. Don't close SD Maid 2/SE, keep it up running in background.

4. Open the bank app and wait for any message or warning (I didn't receive any warning this time).

5. Go back to SD Maid 2/SE and then grant the access to accessibility services.

6. Go back to the bank app and check that everything is working normally.

After this, both the bank app and SD Maid 2/SE, are working smoothly. It seems that once the bank app detects SD Maid 2/SE as not harmful then you can give accessibility services to this app. Or at least this is what seemed to happen.

I haven't restarted my phone yet and I'm not sure if this "solution" will work even after restarting the device, but by now it's the only configuration that has helped me to not stop using both apps. I'll give an update if anything changes in the coming days.

Happy new year!

this would be really great.
Happy new year to you too.