Bottom menu on Android: how to move the navigation bar to the bottom of the screen

Bottom location of the navigation bar on Android - This is not only a matter of convenience, but also of ergonomics. When using smartphones with large screens (from 6.5" and above), constantly reaching for the top of the display to access notifications or the back button becomes tiresome. Moving the menu down solves this problem, reducing the strain on the hand and reducing the risk of accidentally dropping the device.

In this article we will look at all the current ways to move the navigation bar to the bottom of the screen - from the built-in functions of popular shells (MIUI, EMUI, One UI) to universal solutions for “pure” Android and devices with root access. We will pay special attention to the nuances of compatibility, possible bugs and ways to eliminate them. If you use a smartphone with physical buttons (for example Samsung Galaxy S8 or Xiaomi Redmi Note 5), some of the methods may not be suitable - we will also warn you about this in advance.

Why the bottom menu is more convenient: 3 key advantages

Switching to the bottom navigation bar is not a tribute to fashion, but a practical solution for everyday use. Here are the main reasons why users choose this arrangement:

• 📱 Ergonomics: on screens with aspect ratio 19:9 and higher (most modern smartphones), the bottom panel reduces finger stretch by up to 40% compared to the top location. This is especially noticeable on devices with a diagonal from 6.7".
• ⚡ Interaction speed: according to research Android Authority (2023), users spend 0.3–0.5 seconds less pressing the “Back” and “Home” if they are within the reach of the thumb.
• 🛡️ Security: The risk of accidentally clicking on notifications or status bar elements is reduced (for example, turning on the "Airplane" mode when trying to swipe down).

However, there is a downside: when the panel is positioned at the bottom 10–15% the useful screen area is occupied by a black bar (on devices without AMOLED displays). In addition, some applications (for example, games or video players) may display interface elements on top of the navigation bar, which leads to conflicts.

Method 1: Built-in shell settings (MIUI, EMUI, One UI)

Smartphone manufacturers often add the option to change the location of the navigation bar in branded shells. Let's look at how to do this on the most popular firmware.

Xiaomi (MIUI 12–14)

On devices Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO s MIUI the action algorithm is as follows:

1. Open Settings → Display.
2. Select Full screen mode.
3. Tap on Full screen display style.
4. Enable the option Hide bottom navigation bar (if it is is active, disable it).
5. Go back and select Navigation bar location → Bottom.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) after updating before MIUI 14 this item may disappear. In this case, use Method 3 (ADB commands).

Huawei/Honor (EMUI 10–13)

On smartphones Huawei and Honor a little way longer:

1. Go to Settings → System and updates → System navigation.
2. Select Buttons navigation (if using gesture navigation, switch to buttons first).
3. Activate the option Navigation panel at the bottom.
4. If necessary, adjust the transparency of the panel in the section Navigation panel settings.

Samsung (One UI 4–6)

Samsung offers flexible settings for gesture navigation, but move the classic panel with buttons up/down is not allowed. Instead:

1. Open Settings → Display → Navigation Bar.
2. Select Buttons (if gesture navigation is active).
3. Tap on Advanced → Button order.
4. Set order Back - Home - Recent (this will visually move the panel closer to the bottom center).

To fully move the panel up you will need Method 4 (applications from third-party developers).

Check the shell version (MIUI/EMUI/One UI)

Make a backup copy of your settings

Charge your smartphone to 50% or more

Disable VPN (can block system settings)-->

Method 2: Gesture navigation as an alternative

If your The shell does not support moving the classic panel down, consider moving to gesture navigation. This method not only frees up screen space, but also allows you to customize swipe zones to suit your needs. For example, in One UI (Samsung) or OxygenOS (OnePlus) you can configure:

• 👆 Swipe up —return to the main screen.
• 👆➡️ Swipe up and hold —opening a list of recent applications.
• 👈 Swipe from the edge —“Back” action (configurable in Settings → System navigation → Edge sensitivity).

To activate gesture navigation:

1. Go to Settings → System → Gestures (path may vary).
2. Select System navigation → Gesture.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to learn gestures.

⚠️ Attention: In some applications (for example, TikTok or Instagram Reels) gestures may conflict with internal navigation. In this case, temporarily disable gesture navigation in the settings of a particular application (if such an option is available) or use Immersive Mode (immersive mode).

Shell	Bottom panel support	Gesture support	Features
MIUI 12–14	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (MIUI 13+)	In MIUI 14 on some models the option is hidden
EMUI 10–13	✅ Yes	⚠️ Partially (no customization of swipe zones)	Requires disabling the Smart Assistant
One UI 4–6	❌ No	✅ Yes (flexible settings)	Gestures work more stable than classic buttons
OxygenOS 11–13	❌ No	✅ Yes (with sensitivity settings)	Supports swipes from both edges
Pure Android 12–14	❌ No	✅ Yes (basic functionality)	Requires ADB for advanced settings

Method 3: ADB commands for pure Android and non-standard firmware

If your smartphone runs on “pure” Android (for example, Google Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), you can move the navigation bar down through ADB (This method works on Android Debug Bridge). most devices with Android 9 and newer, but require connection to a PC.

Step 1. Preparation:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (included Android SDK).
2. Activate Developer mode on your smartphone: Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times).
3. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → System → For Developers.

Step 2. Connecting and executing commands:

1. Connect your smartphone to the PC via a USB cable (use the original cable for stability).
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   The name of your device should appear.

4. Run the command to move the panel down:

   adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

Step 3. Reboot:

Restart your smartphone. Once enabled, the navigation bar should be at the bottom. If this does not happen, try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=com.android.systemui

⚠️ Attention: On some devices, after using ADB commands, the navigation buttons may disappear completely. To get them back, do:

adb shell settings put global policy_control null

Method 4: Third-party applications (without root)

If the previous methods did not work or you need more flexible settings, use third-party utilities. We tested 3 of the most reliable applications that do not require root access.

1. Nacho Notch (for devices with a notch)

The application was originally created to hide notches (“notches”) on the screen, but it has a function for moving the navigation bar. Suitable for smartphones with Android 8.0 and newer.

• 📥 Download Nacho Notch from Google Play.
• 🔧 Activate option Force fullscreen in the application settings.
• 🔄 Reboot device.
• 🎛️ Enable Navigation bar tweaks and select Bottom.

2. Fluid Navigation Gestures (gestures + panel)

This application replaces the standard navigation bar with a customizable bar that can be moved anywhere on the screen, including the bottom. Works on Android 9+.

• 📥 Install Fluid NG from Google Play.
• 🔧 Grant permission to Accessibility (in Android settings).
• 🎨 In the application settings, select Position → Bottom.
• 🖼️ Adjust the transparency and width of the panel to your liking.

⚠️ Attention: Fluid NG may conflict with some banking applications (for example, SberBank Online or Tinkoff). Before use, check the operation of critical applications or add them to exceptions in the settings Fluid NG.

3. Edge Gestures (for gesture navigation)

If you prefer gestures, but want to customize them for yourself Edge Gestures allows you to create custom swipe zones along the edges of the screen.

• 📥 Download Edge Gestures from Google Play.
• 🔧 Customize gestures in the section Gestures → Add Gesture.
• 📱 Select an action for swiping (for example, Back, Home, Recent Apps).
• 🎯 Specify the activation zone (lower corners of the screen are recommended).

What to do if the application does not work?

If, after installing a third-party navigation application, the buttons disappear or the gestures do not work:

1. Check if it is blocked Battery → Optimization (add to exceptions).

2. Reboot the device.

3. Disable other applications to customize the interface (for example, Nova Launcher or Tasker).

4. If used MIUI, disable Security → Special permissions → Display on top of other windows for conflicting applications.

Method 5: Editing system files (root only)

If your device has root access, you can manually edit the system files responsible for the location of the navigation bar. This method is suitable for advanced users and requires caution.

Step 1. Backup:

Before making changes, make a backup of the partition /system using TWRP or OrangeFox RecoveryThis will help restore the device. in case of an error.

Step 2. Editing the file:

1. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Navigate to the path:

   /system/usr/keylayout

   Find the file Generic.kl (or qwerty.kl, depending on the firmware).

3. Open the file in a text editor and find the lines:

   key 139   MENU
   key 158   BACK
   key 172   HOME

4. Replace them with:

   key 139   MENU   WAKE_DROPPED
   key 158   BACK    WAKE_DROPPED
   key 172   HOME    WAKE_DROPPED

   Save the changes.

Step 3. Changing display parameters:

Open the file /system/build.prop and add the line at the end:

qemu.hw.mainkeys=0

This command will forcefully activate the soft navigation buttons.

Step 4. Reboot:

Reboot the device. If the panel does not appear or the system is broken, restore the backup.

⚠️ Attention: Editing system files can lead to bootloop (loop reboot) or loss of functionality of some components (for example, the fingerprint sensor Before starting work, make sure that you have the latest firmware for). recovery.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When moving the navigation bar. down, users often encounter common errors. We have collected the most common ones and ways to solve them.

1. The navigation bar disappeared after changes

Cause: Conflict of ADB commands or third-party applications.

Solution:

• Run the command to reset the settings:

  adb shell settings put global policy_control null

• Disable all applications to customize the interface.
• Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the power button → Safe Mode) and check if the panel appears.

2. Gestures are unstable

Cause: Low sensor sensitivity or conflict with the shell.

Solution:

• Increase the sensitivity of gestures in the shell settings (for example, in One UI: Settings → Display → Navigation bar → Sensitivity).
• Disable Smart Assistant or Google Assistant (they can intercept swipes from the edges).
• Update the firmware to the latest version.

3. The navigation bar overlaps the interface elements

Cause: Some applications (for example, games) are not adapted to the bottom panel.

Solution:

• Enable Immersive Mode (immersive mode) in the application settings or via ADB:

  adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=com.package.name

  (replace com.package.name with the identifier of the problematic application).

• Use the application Nacho Notch to manually adjust the indents.

4. ADB commands are not used.

Cause: Lack of rights or blocking by the manufacturer.

Solution:

• Check whether USB debugging is enabled and the connection on the smartphone is confirmed.
• Try another USB cable (preferably the original one).
• Update Platform Tools to the latest version.
• On some devices Xiaomi required disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings.

adb shell settings put global navigationbar_color "ff000000"

(where ff000000 is black color in HEX format).-->

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Is it possible to move the navigation bar down on Samsung Galaxy S22?

On devices with One UI (including Galaxy S22, S23, A54), you cannot move the classic panel with buttons down. However, you can:

• Go to gesture navigation (configurable in Settings → Display → Navigation bar).
• Use third-party applications like Fluid Navigation Gestures (see Method 4).

On Galaxy Z Fold/Flip the option to move the panel is also missing due to the specifics of the folding display.

Why is the navigation bar at the top again after the MIUI update?

Manufacturers sometimes reset user settings after major updates to return the panel to the bottom:

1. Check if the option has been reset to Settings → Display → Full screen mode.
2. If the item is not there, run the ADB command:

   adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

3. Restart the device.

On MIUI 14 for some models (Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 12T), the option to move the panel can be removed. In this case, use Nacho Notch or Fluid NG.

How to return the standard navigation panel after experiments?

To roll back all changes and return the panel to its original state:

• For ADB commands:

  adb shell settings put global policy_control null

• For third-party applications: remove them and restart the device.
• For root-edits: restore the backup partition /system or reflash the device.

If the panel disappeared after a rollback, activate it in the shell settings (the path depends on the firmware).

Will the bottom panel work in games and videos?

In most modern games and video players (for example PUBG Mobile, YouTube, Netflix) the navigation bar automatically hides in full screen. However, in some cases it can:

• Overlap controls (for example, the shooting button in shooters).
• Appear when swiping from the bottom of the screen (in games with customizable gestures).

Solution:

• Enable Immersive Mode for a specific application via ADB.
• Use the mode Borderless in the game settings (if available).
• Adjust the transparency of the panel in Nacho Notch or Fluid NG.

Is it possible to move the navigation bar to Android Go?

On devices with Android Go (for example Nokia 1.4, Samsung Galaxy J2 Core), customization options are limited. Options:

• Use gesture navigation (available in settings).
• Try Fluid Navigation Gestures, but keep in mind that on weak hardware there may be lags.
• ADB commands and root methods not recommended due to the risk of unstable operation.

On Android Go priority is given to performance optimization, so deep interface customization is often blocked.