Navigation arrows at the bottom of the Android screen - the classic panel with the Back, Home and Recent buttons - have long become an anachronism for many users. With the advent of gesture controls in Android 9 Pie and newer versions, these arrows take up precious space on the display, interfere with watching videos or playing games, and sometimes are accidentally pressed. But how to remove them if the system stubbornly returns them after a reboot or update?

In this article we will look at all current ways to hide arrows from standard settings to hidden commands for developers. Important: the methods differ depending on the version of Android (from Android 8 Oreo to Android 15) and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.). If your smartphone does not support gesture controls out of the box, do not despair - there are workarounds.

1. Standard shutdown via Android settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in system options. It is suitable for most devices on Android 9 and later, but may not be available on budget models or smartphones with highly customized shells (for example, Flyme or Realme UI).

Instructions:

  • 📱 Open Settings → System → Gestures (or System → Navigation on some devices).
  • 🔄 Select "Gesture control" or "Full screen gestures».
  • ✅ Confirm your choice - the arrows will disappear, and swipes will appear instead along the edges of the screen.

On Samsung Galaxy (shell One UI) the path is different: Settings → Screen → Navigation panel. Here you can choose between classic buttons, gestures or full-screen mode. On some Samsung models after updating to Android 14+ option is hidden in the “Additional functions” → “Gestures” menu.

📊 Which Android shell are you using?
MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi)
One UI (Samsung)
Stock Android (Google Pixel)
ColorOS (Oppo/Realme)
Other

2. Hiding arrows through developer mode

If the standard settings do not offer to disable the arrows, will help developer mode. This method works even on older versions of Android (up to Android 8 Oreo), but requires caution - incorrect changes can break the interface.

How to enable developer mode:

  1. Go in Settings → About phone.
  2. Find the item "Build number" and click on it 7 times in a row.
  3. Enter the PIN code or pattern, if required.

Now in the main settings there will be a new section "For developers". Here you need:

  • 🔍 Find the option force_fullscreen_navigation (or "Full screen navigation»).
  • 🔄 Activate it - the arrows will disappear, but you will only have to control the phone with gestures (for example, swiping from the bottom edge to go back).
💡

On some devices (for example, Xiaomi s MIUI 14+) the option is hidden deeper: For developers → Enable free form → Full-screen gestures.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+ after activating full-screen navigation through developer mode, hints about gestures may disappear. To get them back, restart the device or reset the gesture settings in the menu. System → Gestures → Reset.

3. Using ADB commands (for advanced users)

If the manufacturer has blocked changing the navigation bar, this will help Android Debug Bridge (ADB). computer, but it works on 90% of devices, including Huawei without Google services.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. Turn on on your phone USB debugging in the “For Developers” menu.
  3. Connect the device to the computer and enter in the command line:
adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

After executing the command, the arrows will disappear, but small indicator dots will remain (they can be removed with an additional command. To return everything back, use:

adb shell settings put global policy_control null
What to do if ADB does not see the device?

Make sure that the drivers for your smartphone model are installed. On Windows, try updating the driver manually through Device Manager by selecting “Update driver” → “Search on this computer” → “Select from the list” → “ADB Interface.”

Method Supported Android versions Requires a PC? Reversibility
Standard settings 9+ ❌ No ✅ Yes
Developer mode 8–15 ❌ No ✅ Yes
ADB commands 5–15 ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Third-party applications 7+ ❌ No ⚠️ Partially

4. Applications for hiding arrows (without root)

If the previous methods did not work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. They do not require superuser rights, but may conflict with some shells (for example, EMUI from Huawei).

Top 3 tested applications:

  • 📲 Nacho Notch - hides arrows and cutouts on the screen, works. on Android 10+.
  • 🎯 Full Screen Gestures —emulates gesture controls, replacing the standard panel.
  • 🔄 Fluid Navigation Gestures —adds custom gestures (requires ADB permission).

How to use:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Give permission to overlay on top of other windows (Settings → Applications → Accessibility → Overlay).
  3. Activate the hiding arrows mode in the application settings.
⚠️ Attention: On Android 13+ Some applications (for example, Nacho Notchmay not work due to stricter security policies. In this case, try roll back the version. applications via APK or use the ADB method.

5. Hiding arrows on specific brands

Manufacturers often modify Android, so universal methods do not always work. in

Xiaomi (MIUI 12–15)

On smartphones Redmi, POCO And Xiaomi:

  1. Go to Settings → Display → Full screen display.
  2. Select "Full screen gestures" (option MIUI or Android).
  3. If the option is missing, use the ADB command: 
    adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 1

Samsung (One UI 4–6)

On Galaxy S22/S23 and other flagships:

  • 🔧 Go to Settings → Display → Navigation panel.
  • 🎯 Select "Swipes" instead of "Buttons».
  • 🔄 If you don't like swipes, activate "Full screen gestures" in Additional functions → Gestures.

Google Pixel (Stock Android)

On “pure” Android everything is simple:

  1. Open Settings → System → Gestures → System navigation.
  2. Select “Gesture navigation" (option 2 or 3).

☑️ Preparing to hide the arrows

Done: 0 / 4

6. What to do if the arrows return after a reboot

A common problem is that the navigation bar appears again after an update or reboot. This is due to manufacturer policies or a failure in the settings. Solutions:

  • 🔄 Reset the gesture settings: Settings → System → Gestures → Reset.
  • 📱 Clear the cache of the Settings application: Settings → Applications → All applications → Settings → Memory → Clear cache.
  • 🔧 Use Tasker or MacroDroid to automatically apply the ADB command on boot.

If all else fails, check to see if launcher application is installed on your device (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher). Some launchers reset navigation settings - try returning the standard launcher or updating it.

7. Alternative control methods without arrows

Having abandoned the classic buttons, you will be faced with the need to master new gestures. Here are the basic combinations for Android 12+:

  • 🔙 Back: swipe from the left or right edge of the screen.
  • 🏠 Home: swipe up from the bottom edge (short or long, depending on the setting).
  • 📑 Recent applications: swipe up and hold (or diagonal swipe in the lower right corner).
  • 🔍 Call Google Assistant: swipe from the corner diagonally (configurable in Settings → System → Gestures → Swipe to call Assistant).

On Samsung the gestures are slightly different:

  • 🔙 Swipe from the edge of the screen inside (not along edges!).
  • 🏠 Quick swipe up to return home, hold for recent applications.
💡

On Android 14+ an option "Predictable gestures» (Settings → System → Gestureshas appeared, which adjusts the sensitivity of swipes to your habits. Turn it on if gestures work randomly.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hiding arrows on Android

❓ Is it possible to hide arrows on Android 8 Oreo?

Yes, but only through developer mode or ADB. There is no standard gesture control option in Android 8. Use the command:

adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

After a reboot, the arrows will disappear, but you will have to control the phone via swipes (without visual cues).

❓ Why did the arrows appear again after the update?

Manufacturers often reset navigation settings for major updates (for example, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14). To return gestures:

  1. Check if new items have appeared in Settings → Screen.
  2. Apply the ADB command again.
  3. Clear the application cache Settings (see section 6).

If the problem persists, install third party launcher (for example Nova Launcher) with gesture support.

❓ How to remove indicator dots instead of arrows?

Dots (or a thin strip) remain after turning off the arrows in some shells (for example, One UI). To hide them:

  • On Samsung: activate "Full screen gesturesSettings → Additional functions → Gestures.
  • On other devices, use ADB: 
    adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=apps,statusBar,navigationBar

⚠️ On Android 15 the dots may be part of the system interface and not completely removed.

❓ Does hiding arrows work on Android tablets?

Yes, but with nuances. On tablets (for example Samsung Galaxy Tab or Lenovo Tab):

  1. Go to Settings → Display → Navigation bar.
  2. Select "Freeform" (if available) or "Gestures».
  3. On Android 12L/13+ for tablets, the option "Navigation for large screens" has appeared - experiment with it.

If the gestures are inconvenient, try the application Taskbar (emulates the taskbar as on a PC).

❓ Is it possible to return the arrows if you don’t like the gestures?

Of course! most devices:

  • On most devices: Settings → System → Gestures → Three-button navigation.
  • If the option is missing, use ADB: 
    adb shell settings put global policy_control null*
  • On Xiaomi: Settings → Screen → Full-screen display → Navigation buttons.