How to remove the Home icon from the Android screen: step-by-step guide for all firmware

Icon "Home" (or «Home») on the screen Android-smartphone can take up precious space, especially if you use gestures instead of the classic navigation bar. In some firmware, this button is duplicated in dock panel (the bottom line of the desktop), and in others it appears as a separate virtual element. Fortunately, it can be removed - and we will tell you how to do this on devices with MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO), One UI (Samsung), ColorOS (Oppo/Realme, as well as on a “clean” Android (for example, Pixel or Motorola).

In this article you will find 5 verified ones. ways —from standard settings to hidden functions for advanced users. We will also explain why the button can to return independently after a reboot and how to fix it. If you want to free up space on the screen or simply do not use this icon, read on.

1. Method for MIUI (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO): disabling through the launcher settings

On smartphones Xiaomi with firmware MIUI button “Home” most often appears in dock panels (the bottom line with frequently used applications). You can remove it directly in the settings of the standard launcher - without installing third-party apps.

Here are step-by-step guide:

• 📱 Open phone settings and go to the section Desktop (or Home in some versions of MIUI).
• ⚙️ Select item Settings dock panels (in MIUI 12–14 it may be called Dock panel).
• 🔄 Find the option Show the Home button and disable the slider.
• 🔄 If there is no option, tap on empty space on the desktop, then select Desktop settings → Dock panel → Edit and delete the icon manually.

⚠️ Attention: In some versions of MIUI (for example, MIUI 13 for Redmi Note 10), the button "Home" can be linked to system gestures. If after disabling it still appears, check the settings in System → Gestures → System navigation.

2. Removing the Home button on Samsung (One UI)

In smartphones Samsung with a shell One UI button "Home" usually built-in in navigation panel (three buttons at the bottom of the screen) or in dock panel. The method of removing it depends on where exactly it is located.

If the button is in dock panel:

1. Press with your finger empty space on the desktop.
2. Select Desktop settings.
3. Go to Dock panel and uncheck the option Show the Home button.

If the button is in navigation panel (three keys at the bottom screen):

• 🔧 Open Settings → Display → Navigation panel.
• 🔄 Select navigation type: Gestures (full screen) or Buttons (but with the ability to hide unnecessary ones).
• 🔄 If you use buttons, tap on Advanced → Button order and uncheck from the button "Home".

💡 Useful advice: On Samsung Galaxy S22/S23 and new models, the "Home" button may be part of Bixby Routines (automation). Check Settings → Additional features → Routinesif the button appears by itself.

3. Hiding the icon on Oppo, Realme, OnePlus (ColorOS/OxygenOS)

In firmware ColorOS (Oppo/Realme) and OxygenOS (OnePlus) the button "Home" is usually located in dock panel or integrated into gesture panel. To remove it:

• 📱 Press your finger empty space on the desktop → Desktop Settings.
• 🔧 Go to Dock Panel i disable the option Show button Home data-i="155">On.
• 🔄 If there is no option, tap on Home icon in the dock panel and drag it up (to the inscription Delete).

On OnePlus s OxygenOS 13+ the button can be part of Zen Mode or Game Space. Check:

1. Settings → Utilities → Game Space → Interface settings.
2. Disable the option Show home button in games.

⚠️ Attention: On some models Realme (for example, Realme GT Neo 3) button "Home" may blocked by the manufacturer. In this case, only installing a third-party launcher will help (about it in the next section).

4. (universal method)

If the standard settings do not allow you to remove the button "Home", the most reliable way is install an alternative one. launcher. Popular options:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher — flexible settings, support for gestures, the ability to hide the dock panel.
• 🔧 Lawnchair —lightweight open-source launcher optimized for gestures.
• 🎨 Apex Launcher —allows you to completely customize the bottom panel.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install the launcher from Google Play.
2. Click home button and select Nova Launcher as the default launcher.
3. Press your finger on the desktop → Settings → Dock panel.
4. Disable the option Show dock panel or remove the button from it "Home".

Important: On some smartphones (for example Huawei with EMUI), third-party launchers may not work correctly due to manufacturer restrictions. In this case, only root access will help (see section 6).

Download the launcher from the official one. store|Make a backup copy of your current desktop settings|Select the default launcher in system settings|Check compatibility with your version of Android-->

5. Disabling via ADB (for advanced users)

If the button "Home" appears due to system restrictions (for example, on Huawei or some models Lenovo), it can be disabled via ADB commands. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed drivers ADB (Android SDK Platform Tools).
• 📱 Enabled debug by USB on the smartphone (Settings → About phone → Build number — tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers → USB debugging).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to the PC and open command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   (the serial number of your device should appear).

3. Run the command to disable the button "Home" (does not work on all firmware):

   adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

4. Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of ADB can lead to interface malfunctions. If after executing the commands the button "Home" disappeared along with other controls (for example, the notification panel), return the settings with the command:

adb shell settings put global policy_control null

What to do if ADB does not recognize the device?

If the command adb devices does not show your smartphone:

1. Check if USB debugging is enabled on your phone.

2 Install drivers for your model. (for example Samsung USB Driver or Xiaomi ADB Driver).

3. Try another USB cable (preferably original).

4. Restart your computer and smartphone.

If the problem persists, use wireless debugging (adb connect IP address).

6. Removing the "Home" button using root access

If none of the previous methods worked, it remains the last option is root accessIt allows you to edit system files, but it requires unlocking the bootloader and can void the warranty.

Instructions for devices with **root:

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

   /system/usr/keylayout/

   and find the file Generic.kl (or similar for your model).

3. Open the file in a text editor and find the line with KEY_HOME. Replace it with #KEY_HOME (comment out).
4. Save the changes, set the rights 644 and reboot the smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to "briku" (breakage) device. Before making changes, make full backup via TWRP or another backup utility.

Method	Difficulty	Requires root?	Works on all firmware?
Launcher settings	⭐ (simple)	❌ No	⚠️ Partially (depending on the firmware)
Third-party launcher	⭐⭐ (average)	❌ No	✅ Yes (except Huawei/EMUI)
ADB commands	⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)	❌ No	⚠️ No (does not work everywhere)
Root access	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (very difficult)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (but risky)

Frequently asked questions

❓ Why does the Home button appear again after a reboot?

This is due to the fact that some firmware (for example, MIUI or ColorOS) reset the launcher settings on reboot. Solutions:

• Use third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher).
• Disable launcher optimization in Settings → Applications → Launcher → Battery → Unlimited.
• Try ADB command to permanently disable (section 5).

❓ Is it possible to remove the Home button on Huawei or Honor?

On devices with EMUI/HarmonyOS standard methods often do not work due to manufacturer restrictions. Possible options:

• Install third-party launcher (but some functions may be available). blocked).
• Use gesture mode (Settings → System → Gestures and buttons → Full screen gestures).
• If yes root — edit system files (section 6).

⚠️ On new models (Huawei P60, Mate 50) these methods may not work due to the closed architecture HarmonyOS.

❓ How to return the Home button if it disappeared along with the panel navigation?

If, after experimenting with the settings, the entire navigation panel (including the “Back” and “Recent” buttons) has disappeared, do the following:

1. Connect your smartphone to the PC and execute the ADB command:

   adb shell settings put global policy_control null

2. Reboot your device.
3. If that doesn't help, reset the launcher settings in Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear data.

❓ Why is there a Home button on some smartphones? is not deleted?

Manufacturers (especially Samsung, Huawei, Lenovosometimes block changes to system elements to:

• Compliance with interface standards (for example, Google Mobile Services requires a Home button for certification).
• Proprietary functions (for example, DeX Mode on Samsung or Game Turbo on Xiaomi).
• Security (on some devices the Home button is used for unlock).

In such cases, only root access or custom firmware will help.

❓ Is there a risk of damaging the smartphone when removing the button “Home”?

Removing the icon itself does not harm device if you:

• Do not edit system files without backup.
• Do not use unverified ADB commands.
• Do not install pirated launchers.

⚠️ Danger: Removing a button via root or changing files in /system can lead to:

• Loss of warranty.
• "Brick" (if you edit critical files incorrectly).
• Problems with OTA updates.