The bottom navigation bar Android Studio is a useful tool for quick access to key functions, but not all developers like it. For some, this is an extra element that distracts attention from the code; for others, it’s just wasted space on the screen. The problem is especially acute on laptops with small displays or when working with a split screen, where every pixel counts.

In this article we will look at all possible ways to hide the navigation panel from standard settings to editing configuration files. You'll learn how to temporarily minimize the panel using hotkeys, disable it completely through the menu, or even remove it from the interface permanently. And also - what to do if after the update Android Studio the panel came back.

1. What is the navigation bar in Android Studio and why remove it

Navigation Bar is the lower horizontal bar in the interface Android Studiowhich by default contains tabs:

  • 📱 Run — launching and debugging applications;
  • 🐞 Debug — tools debugging;
  • 📊 Logcat — log output;
  • 🔍 Terminal — built-in terminal;
  • 📁 Project — project structure (in some versions).

For beginners, this panel simplifies access to frequently used tools, but experienced developers prefer work with hot keys or take out the necessary windows on the side panels. The main reasons to hide the panel:

  • ➕ Saving space —on screens with a resolution 1366×768 or lower, every pixel is important;
  • ⚡ Speed up work —fewer distracting elements = more focus on code;
  • 🎨 Interface customization —many prefer the minimalistic look of the IDE.
📊 How often do you use the navigation bar in Android Studio?
Constantly
Sometimes
I get thin
Never used

It is important to understand that the navigation bar is not the same as side toolbar (Tool Window Bar) or status bar (Status Bar). The first is located bottom, the second - left/right, and the third is at the very bottom of the window and displays information about the project (for example, file encoding). Their settings are managed separately.

2. Method 1: Temporarily hiding using hotkeys

The fastest way to hide the navigation bar is to use keyboard shortcut. This method does not disable the panel forever, but simply minimizes it, leaving only a small strip for expansion.

Instructions:

  1. Activate the window Android Studio (click anywhere in the IDE).
  2. Click Alt + 1 (for Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + 1 (for macOS).
  3. The navigation bar will collapse into a thin gray line. To get it back, repeat the combination.

☑️ Checking the operation of hot keys

Done: 0 / 4

If the combination did not work, perhaps your version Android Studio other keys are assigned. To find out the current ones:

  1. Go to File → Settings (or Android Studio → Preferences on macOS).
  2. Select Keymap.
  3. In the search, enter Hide Tool Window Bars.
  4. Look at the assigned combination or reassign it.
💡

If hotkeys conflict with other apps (for example, with IntelliJ IDEA or VS Code), try assigning a different combination, for example Ctrl + Alt + H.

3. Method 2: Complete disabling through the interface settings

If you want remove the navigation bar forever, and not just minimize it, use the appearance settings Android Studio. This method works in all versions of the IDE, starting with Arctic Fox (2020.3.1).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Open File → Settings (or Android Studio → Preferences on macOS).
  2. Go to the section Appearance & Behavior → Appearance.
  3. Uncheck the item Show navigation bar (in some versions it may be called Enable navigation bar).
  4. Click OK and restart Android Studioto make changes have taken effect.

If after a restart the panel is still displayed, check:

  • 🔄 Whether the settings have been reset (sometimes happens when updating the IDE);
  • 📋 Is the option activated in another section (for example, in Editor → General → Appearance);
  • 🛠️ Is there a custom design theme that ignores the settings?
What to do if the "Show navigation bar" item is not in the settings?

In some versions Android Studio (for example, Giraffe or Hedgehog) this parameter may be hidden. Try:

1. Update the IDE to the latest version.

2. Reset the settings via File → Manage IDE Settings → Restore Default Settings.

3. Edit the configuration file manually (see Method). 4).

4. Method 3: Editing the configuration file (for experienced ones)

If the standard methods did not work, you can manually. edit the settings file Android Studio. This method is suitable for experienced users, as it requires working with configuration files.

Instructions for Windows/Linux:

  1. Close Android Studio.
  2. Go to the settings folder:
    • Windows: %APPDATA%\Google\AndroidStudio{version}\options (for example, AndroidStudio2023.2);
    • Linux: ~/.config/Google/AndroidStudio{version}/options;
    • macOS: ~/Library/Preferences/Google/AndroidStudio{version}/options.
  • Open the file other.xml in any text editor.
  • Find the line <option name="showNavigationBar" value="true" /> and replace true with false.
  • Save the file and restart IDE.

    • If the file other.xml does not exist or does not contain the required line, add it manually before the closing tag :

    <option name="showNavigationBar" value="false" />
    💡

    Editing configuration files can lead to unstable operation of the IDE. Before making changes, make a backup copy of the file other.xml!

    5. Using plugins to customize the interface

    If you don’t want to delve into settings or files, you can use plugins for Android Studiothat expand the possibilities of customizing the interface. For example, a plugin Material Theme UI or Atom Material Icons does not allow. only change the appearance, but also control the display of panels.

    How to install and configure the plugin:

    1. Open File → Settings → Plugins.
    2. In the search, enter Material Theme UI and install the plugin.
    3. After installation, restart Android Studio.
    4. Go to File → Settings → Other Settings → Material Theme UI.
    5. In the section UI Customization find the option Hide Navigation Bar and activate it.

      6. Advantages of this method:

      • ✅ Does not require editing system files;
      • ✅ Allows flexible customization of other interface elements;
      • ✅ Easy to roll back changes (just disable the plugin).

      Disadvantages:

      • ❌ Not all plugins support the latest versions Android Studio;
      • ❌ May conflict with other extensions.
    💡

    Before installing the plugin, check its rating and reviews in JetBrains Marketplace. Plugins with a rating below 4.0 stars may work unstable.

    6 Method 5: Reset Android Studio settings. to factory settings

    If the navigation bar does not disappear despite all the manipulations, perhaps the problem is settings conflict. In this case, a full reset Android Studio to factory settings will help. Attention: this method will delete all your personal settings, including themes, plugins and keys access.

    How to reset settings:

    1. Close Android Studio.
    2. Hold Shift and launch the IDE (on macOS - ⌘).
    3. In the window that appears select Reset all settings and restart.
    4. Confirm the action and wait for the restart.

    After the reset:

    • 🔧 The interface settings will return to standard (the navigation bar will be displayed);
    • 🔄 You will have to re-configure hotkeys, plugins and appearance;
    • 📂 Projects and source code remain untouched.
    💡

    Resetting the settings is a last resort. Before using it, try other methods or create a backup copy of the configuration folder (%APPDATA%\Google\AndroidStudio{version}).

    7. Common problems and their solutions

    Even after successfully hiding the navigation bar, users encounter common problems. Let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

    Problem Possible cause Solution
    The panel returns after the update Android Studio Resetting user settings during update Reapply the settings (Method 2 or 3)
    Hotkeys are not work Conflict with other apps or reset keymap Reassign the keys in File → Settings → Keymap
    The panel is hidden, but takes up space on the screen Interface rendering error Restart IDE with cache clearing (File → Invalidate Caches)
    No item Show navigation bar in settings Outdated or custom version Android Studio Update IDE or edit other.xml (Method 4)

    If none of the methods helped, check:

    • 🛠️ Android Studio version — in Canaryversions the interface may differ;
    • 🖥️ Operating system —on macOS with a chip Apple Silicon sometimes additional settings are required;
    • 🔄 Plugin conflicts - disable all extensions and check operation without them.
    How to find the exact version of Android Studio?

    Open Help → About. The version will be indicated at the top of the window (for example, Android Studio Giraffe | 2022.3.1).

    8. Alternatives: how to work without a navigation bar

    If you decide to completely abandon the navigation bar, it’s worth learning. effectively use alternative tools. Here are some tips:

    1. Hotkeys for basic actions:

    • 🚀 Shift + F10 — launch the application;
    • 🐞 Shift + F9 — launch in debugging mode;
    • 📜 Alt + F12 — open the terminal;
    • 🔍 Ctrl + Alt + S — quick access to settings.

    2. Side panels (Tool Windows):

    Move frequently used tools (for example, Logcat or Terminal) to the side panels:

    1. Open the desired window (for example, View → Tool Windows → Logcat).
    2. Drag it by the title to the left or right.
    3. Lock the panel by clicking on the 📌 icon in its title.

    3. Search for actions (Find Action):

    Click Ctrl + Shift + A (or ⌘ + Shift + A on macOS) and enter the name of the desired tool (for example, terminal or debugThis is a universal way to access all functions Android Studio without using). panels.

    💡

    Create your own keyboard shortcuts for frequently used actions. For example, assign Ctrl + Alt + L to open Logcatif the standard combination is inconvenient.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible remove the navigation bar only for a specific project?

    No, the navigation bar settings apply to the entire IDE globally. If you need different display for different projects, use multiple instances Android Studio with different configurations or plugins like Material Theme UIthat support profiles.

    Why did the navigation bar appear again after updating Android Studio?

    With major updates (for example, from Electric Eel to Flamingo) Android Studio may reset some interface settings. To avoid this, before updating, make a backup copy of the configuration folder (%APPDATA%\Google\AndroidStudio{version}) and restore it after the update.

    How to return the navigation bar if it disappeared after editing other.xml?

    If you manually edit other.xml and the panel has disappeared without the ability to return it through the settings, follow these steps:

    1. Close Android Studio.
    2. Open the file other.xml and find the line <option name="showNavigationBar" value="false" />.
    3. Replace false to true or delete the line completely.
    4. Save the file and restart the IDE.

    If the file is damaged, delete it - Android Studio will create a new one with default settings.

    Is there a difference between the navigation bar and the status bar?

    Yes, these are two different interface elements:

    • Navigation panel — bottom bar with tabs (Run, Debug, Logcat etc.).
    • Status Bar —the lowest thin bar that displays information about the project (for example, file encoding, Git branch, build errors).

    The status bar can be disabled in View → Appearance → Status Bar, but this is not recommended - it contains important information about the status of the project.

    Is it possible to hide the navigation bar only in a certain mode (for example, in full screen)? summary

    In the standard configuration Android Studio there is no such option. However, you can:

    • Use full screen mode (View → Enter Full Screen), where the navigation bar is automatic. minimizes;
    • Assign hot keys to quickly collapse/expand the panel (Alt + 1);
    • Set plugin Presentation Assistantthat allows you to customize the display of interface elements depending on the context.