How to remove the arrow from the Android screen: a complete guide for all smartphones

The arrow on the Android screen is a virtual navigation button that appeared in new versions of the operating system instead of the classic three buttons (Back, Home, Recent). For many users, it has become inconvenient: it takes up space on the display, interferes with watching videos or playing games, and sometimes even works accidentally. The problem is especially acute on devices with screen cutouts (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23 or Xiaomi Redmi Note 12), where the arrow overlaps part of the content.

In this article we will look at all current ways to remove an arrow from standard settings to hidden functions for advanced users. You will learn how to disable it on pure Android (for example, Google Pixel 7), branded shells One UI (Samsung), MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco), and also what to do if the arrow disappears by itself or does not respond to presses. Let's take a separate look a unique bug with the disappearance of the navigation bar after updating to Android 14 —its solution is only in this guide.

1. Standard disabling the arrow in Android settings

The easiest way to remove the arrow is to use the built-in system options. This method works on Android 10 and later, including Android 10 and later. The only exceptions are some budget models with very stripped-down shells (for example, 90% of devices with Android 10 and later, including Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, Realme And Google Pixel. The only exceptions are some budget models with heavily trimmed shells (for example, Tecno Spark or Infinix Hot).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open Settings → System → Gestures (on some devices the path may differ: Screen → Navigation).
• 🔄 Select an option Navigation buttons (or 3 buttons, Navigation panel).
• ✅ Confirm the change - the arrow will disappear immediately, and classic buttons will appear instead.

If in your menu no item Gestures, try an alternative way:

1. Press your finger on an empty space on the main screen → select Screen settings.
2. Tap on Navigation style or Navigation panel.
3. Activate the option Buttons instead of Gestures.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices Samsung s One UI 5.0+ after turning off the arrow, a thin gray strip may remain at the bottom of the screen. This is not a bug, but the highlighting of the swipe area. To remove it, go to Settings → Screen → Hide gesture indicator.

2. Hidden settings for advanced users (ADB)

If the standard method did not work (for example, on Xiaomi s MIUI 14 or Oppo s ColorOS, you will have to use editing system parameters via ADB. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but it works even on locked devices (without root access).

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB (you can download from the official Android website).
• 🔧 Enabled USB debugging on your phone (Settings → About phone → Build number — tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and open the command line (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Go to the folder with ADB (for example, cd C:\platform-tools) and enter the command:

   adb devices

   Make sure that your device is displayed in the list.

3. Run the command to disable the arrow:

   adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

4. Restart the phone - the arrow will disappear, and full-screen gestures (swipes from the side edges) will appear instead.

Debugging is enabled USB

ADB drivers installed

The phone is connected to the PC with an original cable

The command line is opened as administrator (for Windows)-->

If after executing the command the arrow remains, try an alternative option:

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

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, Flyme OS on Meizu), ADB commands may be reset after a reboot. In this case, you will have to repeat the procedure or use Magisk to permanently apply the changes.

3. Features for Samsung (One UI) and Xiaomi (MIUI)

Manufacturers often modify Android to suit their needs, so universal methods may not work proprietary solutions for the two most popular brands.

For Samsung (One UI 4.0–6.0)

On devices Samsung Galaxy the arrow is called Gesture panel and is disabled like this:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Navigation bar.
2. Select Buttons (instead Gestures).
3. If you want full-screen swipes, activate Full gestures in the same menu.

On Galaxy S22/S23 s One UI 5.1+ an additional step may be required:

• 🔧 Go to Settings → Additional features → Gestures.
• 🔄 Disable the option Show gesture bar.

For Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI 12–14)

On MIUI the arrow is called Floating button and hides through:

1. Settings → Screen → Full screen display.
2. Select Full screen gestures (option MIUI or Android).
3. If the arrow remains, tap on Advanced and disable Show gesture indicator.

Brand	Path in settings	Features
Samsung (One UI)	Settings → Screen → Navigation panel	There may be a gray bar left - it turns off in Additional functions
Xiaomi/Redmi (MIUI)	Settings → Screen → Full screen display	Option Android Gestures removes the arrow completely
Google Pixel	Settings → System → Gestures	Arrow disappears when selected Swipe from the bottom
Realme/Oppo (ColorOS)	Settings → Convenience → System navigation	Reboot required after changes

Why does the arrow on Xiaomi return after the update?

On some devices Xiaomi (for example Redmi Note 11) after the update MIUI the settings are reset gestures. This is due to the firmware security policy. To avoid the problem, before updating, make a backup copy of your settings through Settings → About phone → Backup.

4. If the arrow disappears by itself: how to return

Sometimes the arrow disappears without user action — after updating the system, resetting the settings or installing a third-party launcher. Here's how to return it:

Method 1: Reset launcher settings

• 📱 Press and hold an empty space on the main screen → Screen settings.
• 🔄 Select Reset settings (or Restore to default).
• ✅ Restart the phone.

Method 2: Restore via ADB

If the arrow disappeared after experimenting with ADB, run the command:

adb shell settings delete global policy_control

Method 3: Checking system applications

On some firmware (for example, ColorOS on Oppo Reno) the arrow is controlled by a system application System UI. To reset its settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Show system ones.
2. Find System UI → Storage → Clear data.
3. ⚠️ Attention: This will reset all visual settings (wallpaper, shortcuts, etc.).

5. Alternative methods: full-screen gestures and third-party utilities

If you don’t like either the arrow or the classic buttons, you can customize full-screen gestures (swipes from the side edges) or use third-party utilities for fine-tuning.

Full-screen gestures (without arrow)

Activated in the same settings where the arrow is disabled:

• 📱 Settings → System → Gestures → System navigation.
• 🔄 Select Swipe from the bottom edge (to Pixel) or Full screen gestures (to MIUI/One UI).
• ✅ To reverse the action (go back), use a swipe from the left or right edge.

Third-party utilities

If the built-in settings do not suit you, try these applications (required root access or ADB):

• 🛠️ Nacho Notch — hides the arrow and other system elements.
• 🎛️ Fluid Navigation Gestures —replaces standard navigation with custom gestures.
• 🔧 Edge Gestures —adds swipes from the edges of the screen.

⚠️ Attention: Applications for changing the system interface can cause unstable operation phone or failures in banking applications (due to security triggers, for example SafetyNet). Before using, make a backup copy of your data.

6. Common errors and how to avoid them

When trying to remove the arrow, users often encounter typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

Problem	Cause	Solution
The arrow does not disappear after selecting Buttons	System settings cache	Clear the cache System UI (see section 4)
After ADB commands, the phone has stopped responding to touches	Incorrect command syntax	Execute adb shell settings delete global policy_control
On Samsung there remains a gray stripe	The indicator is on gestures	Disable in Settings → Additional functions → Gestures
The arrow returns after reboot	Firmware resets ADB settings	Use Magisk to permanently apply changes

Error 1: "ADB command not found"

Solution:

• Make sure the folder with platform-tools added to the variable PATH.
• Or specify the full path to adb.exe in the command (for example, C:\platform-tools\adb devices).

Error 2: "The device is not authorized"

Solution:

• On the phone, when connected to a PC, a request for debugging permission will appear - confirm it.
• If the request does not appear, reconnect the cable and check if it is enabled USB debugging.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to remove the arrow without a computer?

Yes, on most devices this is done through standard settings (see section 1ADB is only needed for firmware with limited options (for example, some). version ColorOS or Flyme OS).

Why, after updating to Android 14, the arrow became transparent and does not respond to presses?

This is a known bug in Android 14 for devices with MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Realme 10 Pro). Solution:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Show system → System UI → Storage → Clear data.
2. Restart your phone.
3. If that doesn't help, run the ADB command:

   adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural

How to remove the arrow in games or the whole screen?

For games, use immersive mode viewing:

• Enable full screen mode in the game (usually in the graphics settings).
• Or use the ADB command to force hiding:

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

For a permanent effect, install the application Nacho Notch (required ADB or root).

The arrow interferes when watching a video. How to hide it only in certain applications?

On Android 12+ you can configure exceptions:

1. Install Fluid Navigation Gestures from Play Market.
2. In the application settings, select Exceptions and add the required applications (for example, YouTube or Netflix).
3. Activate the mode Hide the navigation bar for selected applications.

On Samsung this functionality is built-in: Settings → Additional functions → Gestures → Exceptions for gestures.

Is it possible to return classic buttons on Android 13/14?

Yes, but not on all devices. On pure Android (for example, Google Pixel) and One UI (Samsung) classic buttons are available in the settings. On MIUI 14+ and ColorOS 13+ they can be deleted - in this case, only ADB or third-party utilities will help.