Navigation buttons “Home”, “Back” and “Recents” are an integral part of the interface Android, but not all users like them. Some consider them outdated, others interfere with watching videos or playing games, while others simply want to maximize the usable screen area. Fortunately, on most modern smartphones these buttons can be removed completely, replaced with gestures or hidden in full-screen mode.

In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from standard settings to hidden functions and commands for developers. It is important to understand that the methods differ depending on the version Android (from Android 9 Pie to Android 14) and the manufacturer (Samsung One UI, MIUI, OxygenOS etc.). If you are using custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, some items may be missing or work differently.

Before you begin, check the version of your system in Settings → About phone → Android version. This will help avoid mistakes when choosing a method.

📊 Which navigation system do you prefer?
Classic buttons
Gestures
Hardware Home button
Doesn’t matter

1. Standard method: gesture navigation in Android settings

The simplest and safest method is to enable gesture navigationwhich automatically hides the classic buttons. This method works on all smartphones with Android 9 and newer, but the path to the settings may differ.

On most devices, the algorithm is as follows:

  1. Open Settings → System → Gestures (or System → Navigation).
  2. Select option "Gesture navigation" or "Full-screen gestures".
  3. Confirm the change - the buttons will disappear, and a lower swipe bar will appear instead.

On Samsung Galaxy (One UI) the path is different:

  • 📱 Settings → Screen → Navigation panel
  • 🔄 Select "Gestures" instead of "Buttons"
  • 🎯 Adjust the sensitivity of swipes in Additional settings

On Xiaomi (MIUI) and Redmi:

  • 📱 Settings → Additional settings → Full screen display
  • 🔄 Select "Gesture navigation" or "Swipe up"
  • ⚙️ In Gesture settings you can turn off on-screen prompts

☑️ Preparing to change the navigation

Done: 0 / 4

If the buttons do not disappear after switching, reboot the device. On some firmware, changes are applied only after a reboot.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 10 and later, when you first turn on gestures, the system may offer to go through a short training session - it is not recommended to skip it. learn how to return to the main screen or open multitasking without buttons.

2. Hiding buttons through developer mode

If you don’t like gesture navigation, but still want to remove the buttons, you can use developer mode. and requires caution.

First activate developer mode:

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

Now a new section will appear in the main settings For developersIn it:

  • 🔍 Find the option "Disable navigation bar" (force_fullscreen_navigation)
  • 🔄 Turn it on - the buttons will disappear, but controlling the phone will become more difficult (you will have to use system gestures or third-party utilities)
  • 📱 On some firmware you need to additionally enable "Allow full screen mode" for applications

This method does not remove the buttons forever, but only hides them until the option is disabled. It is useful for temporarily freeing the screen, for example, when. streaming or games.

What to do if the buttons are missing and gestures do not work?

If after disabling the navigation panel you cannot go back, connect the phone to the PC and run the command: 

adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

This will reset the full screen settings mode.

3. Using ADB commands for deep hiding

For the most advanced users, there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). It allows disable completely a navigation panel at the system level, but requires connecting to a computer and installing drivers.

You will need:

  • 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
  • 🔌 USB cable (preferably original)
  • 🛠️ Utility ADB (you can download from the official website Android Developers)
  • 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the phone

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Connect your phone to the PC and enable USB debugging.
  2. Open Command Prompt (or Terminal) and enter: 
    adb devices

    Make sure the device is detected.

  3. Run the command to hide the panel: 
    adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=com.android.systemui
  4. Reboot your phone.

To return the buttons, use command:

adb shell settings put global policy_control null

This method works on most firmware, but on Samsung and some Xiaomi an additional command may be required to unlock the changes:

adb shell pm grant com.android.systemui android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB can lead to system malfunctions. If after the commands the phone stops responding to touches, perform a reset. through adb reboot or hold down the power button for 10 seconds.

4. Third-party applications for controlling navigation

If standard methods are not suitable, you can use applications from Google Play. flexible settings for hiding buttons, replacing them with gestures and even customizing the appearance.

Top 3 proven utilities:

Application Functions Android support Features
Nacho Notch Hide buttons, customize gestures, mask cutouts 7.0 and newer Works without root, but requires ADB permission
Fluid Navigation Gestures Complete replacement of navigation with gestures, animations 9.0 and later Plugins for customization, but may conflict with launchers
GMD Full Screen Immersive Hide buttons in individual applications 5.0 and later Support per-app settings, but outdated interface

Before installation, check reviews - some applications may not work on the latest versions Android 13/14 or require additional permissions.

Setting example Fluid Navigation Gestures:

  1. Install the application and provide access to Accessibility.
  2. In settings, select "Hide navigation bar".
  3. Customize gestures (for example, swipe from the bottom edge to return back).
  4. Add the application to startup so that the settings are saved after a restart.
💡

If after installing the utility the buttons disappear, but the gestures do not work, try disabling battery optimization for this application in the settings Battery → Optimization.

5. Manual editing of system files (only for root)

For users with root access there is a radical way - editing system files. This method not recommended for beginnerssince an error can lead to bootloop (loop loading).

You will need:

  • 📱 Root access (for example, through Magisk)
  • 🛠️ File manager with root support (Root Explorer, Solid Explorer)
  • 📄 Backup copy of file build.prop

Instructions:

  1. Open file /system/build.prop in a text editor.
  2. Add the line at the end: 
    qemu.hw.mainkeys=1
  3. Save the file and restart the phone.

This command makes the system “think” that there are physical buttons on the device, and the software panel disappears. To get everything back, delete the line or replace 1 with 0.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (ColorOS, FuntouchOS) this method may cause the graphical interface to crash. Before editing, create a full backup via TWRP or OrangeFox.
💡

Editing system files is the most effective way to hide buttons forever, but also the most risky. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

6. Specific solutions for different brands

Manufacturers often modify Android to suit your needs, so universal methods may not work. Let's look at the features of popular brands.

Samsung (One UI 4.0–6.0):

  • 📱 In Settings → Screen → Panel navigation you can choose "Gestures" or "Buttons".
  • 🔧 Additional settings there is an option "Hide the navigation bar" for full-screen applications.
  • 🚫 On models Galaxy S22 Ultra and newer, the buttons cannot be removed completely due to the hardware button Bixby.

Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (MIUI 12–14):

  • 📱 Path: Settings → Additional settings → Full-screen display → Gesture navigation.
  • 🔄 In MIUI 13+ an option has appeared "Mini gestures" —a compact replacement for standard buttons.
  • ⚠️ On some devices (Redmi Note 10 Pro), after hiding the buttons, the bottom bar in games may disappear.

Google Pixel (Stock Android):

  • 📱 In Settings → System → Gestures → System navigation 3 options are available: buttons, 2-button gestures and 3-button gestures.
  • 🔧 On Pixel 6/7 there is a hidden option "Full screen gestures", which even removes the bar at the bottom.
  • 🛠️ To activate it you need the ADB command: 
    adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural

Realme/Oppo (ColorOS):

  • 📱 Path: Settings → Ease of use → System navigation.
  • 🔄 Here you can select "Gestures with three buttons" or "Gestures without buttons".
  • ⚠️ On Realme UI 3.0 when hiding buttons, access to them may be lost Game Space.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

When changing navigation, users often encounter bugs and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: The buttons have disappeared, but gestures do not work.

  • 🔄 Reboot the phone - sometimes changes are applied only after reboot.
  • 🛠️ Check if the option "System navigation" is enabled in the gesture settings.
  • 📱 If you use ADB, run the command: 
    adb shell settings put global policy_control null*

Problem 2: In games or videos, the buttons appear again.

  • 🎮 In the game settings, find the option "Full screen mode" or "Hide navigation".
  • 🔧 For YouTube or Netflix use gesture "Double tap" to hide the interface.
  • 🛠️ Install GMD Full Screen Immersive and add the problematic application to exceptions.

Problem 3: After updating Android, the buttons returned.

  • 🔄 Repeat the gesture settings - updates often reset user settings.
  • 📱 If you used ADB, run the commands again.
  • ⚠️ On Android 14 some commands ADB may not work due to stricter security policies.

Problem 4: Swipes at the bottom of the screen do not work.

  • 🔧 Check the sensitivity of gestures in Settings → System → Gestures → Setting sensitivity.
  • 🛠️ Disable "Protection against accidental touches" in the screen settings.
  • 📱 If you are using a case with thick sides, try swiping higher from edges.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices (Huawei, Honor) after hiding the buttons, it may stop working Huawei Mobile Services. In this case, return the standard navigation or use ADB to rollback the changes.

8. Alternative methods: launchers and shells

If you don’t like the standard navigation, but you’re not happy with the gestures, you can try alternative launchersThey offer their own control systems and often allow you to completely hide the system buttons.

The best launchers with support for hiding navigation:

  • 🌐 Nova Launcher — allows you to hide the navigation bar in the settings Settings → Gestures and buttons.
  • 🎨 Lawnchair —supports full-screen mode and customization of gestures.
  • 🔧 Microsoft Launcher —has a built-in mode "Full-screen desktop".
  • 📱 Smart Launcher 6 —automatically hides buttons when gestures are activated.

Example of settings in Nova Launcher:

  1. Install the launcher and make its main one.
  2. Go to Nova Settings → Gestures and buttons → Hide navigation bar.
  3. Activate the option and set up alternative gestures (for example, swipe up to open applications).

The advantage of this method — no need to edit system files or use ADB. However, launchers may conflict with some shells (for example, One UI or MIUI), so check compatibility before installation.

💡

Alternative launchers are the safest way to change navigation without risking the system. They work on top of the standard interface and can be easily removed.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to remove buttons on Android 8.0 and below?

On Android 8.0 Oreo and older versions there are no standard ways to hide buttons. Options:

  • Use ADB (command adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*).
  • Install custom firmware with gesture support (for example, LineageOS 16+).
  • Use applications like GMD Full Screen Immersive (works on Android 5.0+).

On Android 7.0 Nougat and below, even these methods may not work due to system limitations.

Why do the swipes at the bottom of the screen not work after hiding the buttons?

This is a typical problem on smartphones with AMOLED screens and aggressive gesture optimization. Solutions:

  • Increase touch sensitivity in the screen settings.
  • Disable "Smart lock" or "Protection against accidental taps".
  • Check if yours does not conflict launcher with system gestures (try resetting its settings). data-i="327">Settings → Accessibility
  • On Xiaomi And Redmi turn off "Optimization for games" V Settings → Accessibility.

If all else fails, return the standard navigation and use ADB to fine-tune:

adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.status=*
How to get the buttons back if they disappeared after experiments?

Recovery methods depend on which method you used:

  • If you changed the settings in the menu: Go back to Settings → System → Gestures and select "Buttons".
  • If you used ADB: Run the command: 
    adb shell settings put global policy_control null
  • If you edited build.prop: Delete the line qemu.hw.mainkeys=1 or flash the original file via TWRP.
  • If the phone does not respond: Hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot.

If the screen is completely black, connect the phone to the PC and try the command:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings

This will open the settings where you can return the standard navigation.

Will hiding buttons work on Android tablets?

Yes, but with caveats:

  • On Samsung Galaxy Tab (One UI) way to the settings are the same as on smartphones.
  • On Lenovo Tab i Xiaomi Pad may be required ADBas gesture navigation is often unstable.
  • On tablets with Android 12L/13 buttons can automatically appear in multitasking mode.

For tablets it is better to use Nova Launcher or Taskbar - they are optimized for large screens and allow you to flexibly customize navigation.

Is it possible to remove buttons only in certain applications?

Yes, they are suitable for this:

  • GMD Full Screen Immersive — allows you to hide navigation selectively for each application.
  • Nacho Notch — supports per-app settings.
  • Built-in options (for example, in YouTube Premium or VLC there is a mode "Hide navigation").

For games you can use Game Tools (on Xiaomi) or Game Launcher (on Samsung), which automatically hide the buttons at startup.