Have you ever wondered what the correct name is for that strip at the top of the Android screen that you can “swipe” down? The one where notifications about messages, missed calls and battery charging are displayed, as well as buttons to turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a flashlight. This interface element is one of the most popular, but its name causes confusion even among experienced users.

In this article we will understand not only the terminology (spoiler: the official name is notification panel, but there are other options), but also how this menu is structured from the inside. You will learn how notification curtain it differs from quick settings, how to customize them to suit your needs and what to do if the top menu stops working. And also little-known features that are not discussed in standard instructions.

If you think you know everything about this menu, prepare to be surprised: even in basic things like opening the curtain on the locked screen or resetting its settings, there are nuances that 90% of users are unaware of.

The official name of the top menu on Android

In Google documentation and materials for developers, this menu is called notification panel (English notification panel). However, other terms have taken root in everyday use:

  • 📱 Notification curtain - the most common name among users, reflecting the opening method (swipe down, like a curtain).
  • ⚡ Quick Settings (Quick Settings) - this is the name for the second part of the menu, which opens when swipe again or click on the pencil icon.
  • 🔧 Status Bar (status bar) is a narrow strip at the very top of the screen where notification icons (Wi-Fi, battery, time) are displayed. It is not part of the curtain, but is closely related to it..
  • 📊 Notification Center is a term borrowed from iOS, but sometimes used for Android.

It is important to understand that that notification panel and quick settings are two different layers of one menu. The first shows notifications from applications, and the second shows system function toggles. On most smartphones they are combined into a single interface, but technically these are separate components of Android.

Interesting fact: in the first versions of Android (up to 4.0), the notification shade was much simpler - without quick settings and the possibility of customization. Switches for Wi-Fi or screen brightness appeared only in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (2012), and full adjustment of their order came even later, in Android 7.0 Nougat (2016).

📊 What do you usually call the top menu on Android?
Curtain notifications
Notification panel
Quick settings
Notification Center
Other

How to open the top menu: all methods

The main method is to swipe down from the top edge of the screen. But there are other options that not everyone knows about:

  • 👆 One swipe —opens the notification panel (first layer).
  • 👆👆 Two swipe or swipe with hold —opens quick settings (second layer).
  • 🔑 On a locked screen: on most smartphones, the curtain can be opened even without unlocking, but with restrictions (for example, you cannot turn on airplane mode).
  • ⚙️ Through settings: go to Settings → Notifications → Notification panel (the path may differ depending on the shell).

On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy with shell One UI) to open quick settings you need to swipe down twice, and on others (for example, Xiaomi s MIUI) - swipe down and hold your finger. This depends on the firmware and can be configured.

⚠️ Attention: If swiping down does not work, check if the mode For left-handers is activated in the gesture settings. In this case, the curtain can be opened by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen.

Also on some smartphones (for example, Google Pixel) it supports opening the curtain double tap on the status bar (where battery and time icons are displayed). This function is enabled in the accessibility settings:

Settings → Accessibility → System → Tap on the status bar
💡

If you have large fingers and it is difficult to reach the top edge of the screen, turn on the function in the gesture settings Swipe down diagonally (available on Xiaomi, Oppo and other brands).

Top menu structure: what is where

The top menu on Android consists of several zones. Let's look at them in detail:

Zone Content How to interact
Status bar Notification icons (Wi-Fi, battery, time, network signal) Tap opens the curtain, swipe down too
Notification panel (1st layer) List of notifications from applications (messages, calls, updates) Swipe left/right - delete notification, tap - open
Quick settings (2nd layer) Switches (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, flashlight, airplane mode, etc.) Tap - turn on/off, hold - go to settings
User panel Profile icon (Google account, guest mode) Tap - change user or account

The screenshot below shows an example of the structure on pure Android (for example, Google Pixel 7):

Example of the structure of the top menu (screenshot)

The first layer displays notifications (for example, from WhatsApp or Gmail). The second layer displays quick settings tiles (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Not. disturb etc.) In the upper right corner there is a profile icon for changing the account.

Important: on smartphones with skins (for example, Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI, Huawei EMUI), the structure may be different. For example, in MIUI quick settings and notifications are divided into two separate tabs, and in One UI quick settings tiles can be scrolled horizontally.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei or Honor) after updates, the curtain interface may change dramatically. If after a software upgrade the top menu begins to look different, check the settings in the Settings section. → System → Notification panel.

How to customize the top menu for yourself

One of the key advantages of Android is the flexibility of customization. Here's what you can change in the top menu:

  • 🔄 Tile order in quick settings: click on the pencil icon (✏️) in the upper right corner of the second layer. curtains.
  • 📛 Hide unnecessary notifications: hold your finger on the notification → Disable notifications or Customize.
  • 🎨 Transparency and color: in some shells (for example, MIUI) you can change the transparency of the curtain or the background color.
  • 🔕 Do Not Disturb mode: configure exceptions for important notifications in Settings → Sound → Do Not Disturb.

On pure Android (for example, Pixel or Motorola), fewer customization options are available than in proprietary shells. For example, in One UI from Samsung you can:

  • 📱 Change the number of columns of quick settings tiles (3, 4 or 5).
  • 🔍 Show or hide shortcuts for brightness and media player.
  • 📊 Customize the order notifications (by importance or time).

To reset the curtain settings to factory settings, go to:

Settings → Applications → Three dots (⋮) → Reset application settings

Or (on some devices):

Settings → System → Reset → Reset interface settings

☑️ Setting up quick tiles

Done: 0 / 5

Hidden features of the top menu that you didn't know about

Even experienced Android users often miss useful features of the notification shade. Here are some of them:

  • 🔍 Search by settings: in quick settings, tap on the gear icon (⚙️) - a search will open across all smartphone settings.
  • 📱 One-handed mode: on large smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy S Ultra) swiping diagonally down opens the curtain in a compact form.
  • 🔋 Detailed information about the battery: hold your finger on the battery icon in the status bar - a window will appear with the screen operating time and remaining charge in hours.
  • 🎵 Media management: if music or video is playing, a player tile will appear in the curtain - you can pause or rewind without opening the application.

Another little-known feature is quick switching between users. If you have several profiles configured on your smartphone (for example, personal and work), tap on the account icon in the upper right corner of the curtain - a menu for changing users will appear without the need to unlock.

On devices with Android 12 and newer, the notification curtain has appeared function Privacy (icon with an eye 👁️). It shows which applications are currently using the microphone or camera. Tapping on this icon instantly disables access to all sensors.

💡

The privacy icon (👁️) in the status bar is the fastest way to block application access to the microphone and camera.

What to do if the top menu does not work

If the notification shade stops opening or is malfunctioning, try the following steps:

  1. Restart smartphone —a classic method that helps in 50% of cases. Hold the power button and select Restart.
  2. Clear system UI cache: 
    Settings → Applications → Three dots (⋮) → Show system → System UI → Storage → Clear cache
  3. Checking gestures: if the swipe does not work, the gesture settings may conflict (for example, Navigation gestures v Settings → System).
  4. Safe Mode: boot the smartphone in safe mode (hold the power button → Safe Mode). If the curtain works, the problem is in one of the installed applications.

If nothing helps, there may be a failure in System UI. In this case, resetting the interface settings (see section above) or, as a last resort, resetting to factory settings (don't forget to make a backup!) will help.

⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones (for example Xiaomi or Realme) problems with the shutter may be associated with aggressive battery optimization. Check the autorun settings for System UI in the section Settings → Battery → Battery optimization.

If, after updating Android, the curtain began to look different or some functions disappeared, this may be due to changes in the new firmware version. In this case:

  • Check Settings → System → System update - there may be a fix available.
  • Look for information about changes on the manufacturer's official blog (for example, Samsung Members or MIUI Forum).

How to return the old top menu after an update

Many users complain that after updating Android, the notification shade has become inconvenient. Unfortunately, returning the old one design is completely impossible, but there are workarounds:

  • 📱 Use an alternative launcher: some launchers (for example, Nova Launcher or Action Launcher) allow you to customize the appearance of the curtain.
  • 🔧 Set a theme: in Samsung Themes or MIUI Themes there are themes that change the design of notifications.
  • 🛠️ Roll back update (risky!): if the update was recent, you can try to roll back through Settings → System → Reset → Roll back update. Attention: this may lead to loss data!

On devices with an unlocked bootloader (bootloader) you can install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), where the design of the curtain is closer to older versions of Android. However, this requires technical skills and will void the warranty.

If you are irritated by a specific function (for example, splitting notifications and quick settings into two tabs, as in MIUI 14), check shell settings. Sometimes manufacturers leave the option to return the old look:

Settings → Display → Notification panel → Notification styles
⚠️ Attention: Before installing custom firmware or themes, make sure that they are compatible with your smartphone model. Incorrect actions can lead to brick (turning the device into a “brick”).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the top menu on Android

Is it possible to remove advertising from the notification curtain?

Yes, but it depends on the manufacturer. smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO advertising in the curtain appears due to services MIUI. To disable it:

  1. Go to Settings → "Advanced" folder → Advertising.
  2. Disable the option Personalized advertising.
  3. In the section Receive recommendations disable all switches.

On others brands (for example Samsung or Oppo) there should be no advertising in the curtain - if it appears, it could be a virus. Check your smartphone with an antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes).

Why is there no NFC or mobile data icon in the curtain?

It depends on the firmware and model smartphone. On some devices, tiles for NFC or Mobile data are hidden by default. To add them:

  1. Open quick settings (swipe down twice).
  2. Click on pencil icon (✏️).
  3. Find hidden tiles NFC or Mobile data in the list and drag them to the active zone.

If the tile is not in the list at all, this means that your firmware does not support its display in the curtain. In this case, you can control the function only through the main settings.

How to swipe down to open the curtain on a locked screen?

On most smartphones, this function is enabled by default, but it can be disabled or configured. Check:

Settings. → Lock screen → Lock screen notifications

Make sure Show notifications or Show contentis selected. If the option is missing, this may be a security policy limitation (for example, on work phones with Android Enterprise).

On devices Samsung path like this:

Settings → Lock screen → Notifications → Notification styles → Show notification icons
Can Is it possible to change the color of the notification curtain?

On pure Android (for example, Pixel), the color of the notification curtain is tied to the system theme and cannot be changed. However, in proprietary shells there are the following options:

  • MIUI (Xiaomi): Settings → Screen → System colors.
  • One UI (Samsung): Settings → Appearance → Color palette.
  • ColorOS (Oppo/Realme): Settings → Personalization → Color scheme.

You can also install a theme from the theme store (for example, Samsung Themes or MIUI Theme Store), which will change the color of the curtain.

Why do notifications disappear from the curtain?

There are several reasons:

  1. Battery optimization: Android can remove notifications from applications that are optimized to save battery. Check Settings → Battery → Battery optimization and add the desired application to the exceptions.
  2. Application settings: some messengers (for example Telegram or Viber) have internal notification settings Go to the application settings and make sure that. notifications are enabled.
  3. Restrictions. background: MIUI or EMUI there is a function Prohibit autorunthat can block notifications Check Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun.
  4. System UI crash: if notifications disappear immediately after they appear, clear the cache System UI (see section on problems above).