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Black screen on screencast due to `instagram_business_manage_messages` permission on Android.
I have an android app where users can automate comments and direct messages triggered by keywords set on their reels. I am using Instagram graph API with Instagram login only.
When capturing screencast and automated messages send to users, the screen gets black when I try to capture inbox messages. The voice is recorded but the screen gets black. I have used countless screen recording apps even premium ones but the problem still persists and I am unable to pass review.
Any suggestions and help regarding this matter will be highly appreciated.
Thanks
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The black screen during screen recording when accessing Instagram inbox or DMs is a known behavior related to content protection mechanisms enforced by the Instagram app itself. This happens regardless of the screen recording app used — even premium or system-level recorders.
When your app uses the instagram_business_manage_messages permission through the Instagram Graph API, and especially when users are accessing or automating messaging features, Instagram likely triggers DRM-like security measures or flagged secure views to prevent screen capture. This is commonly used by apps to protect sensitive user data, like messages or protected content.
Why This Happens:
Instagram treats its inbox as sensitive content and prevents recording for security and privacy reasons.
Android provides APIs (like FLAG_SECURE) that apps can use to prevent screen capture or recording of sensitive content — Instagram likely enforces this on their inbox views.
Since you're not displaying the inbox in your own app but instead accessing data via API, any UI-level attempt to capture actual Instagram UI (e.g., the native Instagram inbox) via screen recording is blocked by Instagram itself.
Workarounds / Suggestions:
Avoid showing actual Instagram UI in your screencast – Instead, demonstrate your automation functionality using mock interfaces or a simulation of how messages are triggered via the API.
Use Postman or API logs to show message automation and delivery, instead of screen recording Instagram's native app.
If review is required for app stores or Facebook App Review:
Provide a clear video of your own app interface showing how users configure automation.
Supplement with screenshots or API call logs for the messaging part.
In the review notes, explain that screen capture of Instagram DMs is blocked due to platform-level security by Instagram.Unfortunately, there is no technical way to bypass the black screen restriction, as this is enforced at the OS level in combination with the Instagram app development.
