Find UI element by text/resource_id/class/content_desc. Returns position (no tap).
AI agents call find_element to retrieve information from Android MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a query/search operation on the Android device's UI hierarchy to locate elements and return their positions. It has no side effects, does not modify state, execute code, or trigger actions. The explicit note that it 'Returns position (no tap)' confirms it is read-only. Even in the context of a device control server, this is purely an informational retrieval operation.
From the tool's definition Tool description states 'Find UI element by text/resource_id/class/content_desc. Returns position (no tap)' - it retrieves UI element metadata and coordinates without performing any action or modification.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Find UI element by text/resource_id/class/content_desc. Returns position (no tap). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Android MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Android MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for find_element: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Android MCP Server. Nothing to install.
find_element is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the find_element rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for find_element. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
find_element is provided by the Android MCP Server MCP server (wujie272/android-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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