Configure the blur app option to improve security

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 1 minute to read
  • As a security feature, administrators can configure the mobile app to blur or appear blackened, depending on the operating system, when not in focus on a mobile device. When you double-click the home button on your mobile device to close apps or navigate back to where you left off, the ServiceNow app appears blurred or blackened.

    Before you begin

    Role required: admin

    About this task

    Before you enable the glide.sg.blur_ui_when_backgrounded system property, consider the following information.

    Important:
    For both iOS and Android, as of the the 20.1.0 mobile client release
    • The glide.sg.blur_ui_when_backgrounded system property is supported on both iOS and Android devices.
    • By default, the value for this property is set to false, which turns it off.
    • The screen share feature isn't supported.
    • Users are prevented from taking screen shots and screen recordings.
    iOS specific
    ServiceNow mobile apps appear blurred when not in focus on a mobile device.
    Note:
    For BlackBerry and Microsoft Intune variants, screen recordings and screenshots remain enabled.
    Android specific
    ServiceNow mobile apps appear blackened when not in focus on a mobile device.

    Procedure

    1. Navigate to All and in the filter enter sys_properties.list.
    2. Open the record for glide.sg.blur_ui_when_backgrounded.
    3. In the form, match the following values:
      Field Description
      Name glide.sg.blur_ui_when_backgrounded
      Type true | false
      Value true

    Result

    With the property in place, the app is blurred when not in focus.

    App is blurred when not in focus