If you have a terminal with a keypad or with a navigation bar on the screen and you want to be able to hide this horrible android bar to Use and enjoy the on-screen gesture navigation systemSo, using a television simile, I would tell you not to change the channel since you have come to the right place.
And it is that in this complete Android practical video tutorial, I am going to teach you step by step how to enjoy navigation gestures on any type of terminal, at the same time that we are also going to hide those horrible Android navigation bars to enjoy the screens of our devices in all their splendor.
The navigation bar is one of the most frequently used elements on your Android phone or tablet, as its buttons allow you to perform essential actions such as opening the app menu, going to the home screen, going back to the previous page, or opening the list of recently used apps. However, for many users, these buttons represent a waste of valuable screen space, especially on devices with narrow bezels.
To begin tell them that we will achieve this with a free application for Android, which, as is usual, also has a PRO or paid version with which in addition to being able to Enjoy gestures on any Android device and be able to hide the navigation bar.We're going to remove those on-screen buttons that just take up space, allowing us to also take greater control over gesture settings and action bar customization.
The application in question, which is fully functional in its free version, can be downloaded directly from the Google Play Store under the name of Fluid Navigation GesturesRight below these lines I've included the direct link for downloading it.
Download Fluid Navigation Gestures for free from the Google Play Store
Everything that Fluid Navigation Gestures offers us in its free version
Even the free version of the app will allow you to access the full functionality of the on-screen navigation gestures. navigation gestures even better than the native ones Since from the application's internal settings we will be able to configure interesting aspects such as the sensitivity and position of the activation zones from the call to the gestures.
If we add to this that we can configure the action to be carried out for each of the access points or launchersBoth the swipe action and the swipe and hold action, we can say that this tool offers superior flexibility to most customization layers.
One of the most remarkable things this application offers is the possibility of to hide the original Android bar of our terminal, the navigation bar or on-screen buttons no need to have a rooted terminal to achieve this, which is a critical advantage for those who do not want to compromise their equipment warranty.
In the video that I have left you right at the beginning of this post I explain in great detail, in addition to everything that the application offers us in terms of navigation by gestures on the screen and its configuration, the method to follow via PC, in order to, in a very simple way, hide the original navigation bar of our Android.
Native alternatives to hide or modify the navigation bar
Before resorting to external tools, it's important to know that many manufacturers already include options for managing the navigation bar. While Android doesn't offer extensive button customization, it does allow for some flexibility. reverse the position of the buttons or activate full gesture mode.
This feature is especially useful on phones where the buttons are arranged in a different order than the user prefers, preventing common mistakes when trying to go back or open recent apps. To modify or hide the bar using the built-in function, the process is generally as follows:
- Access the menu Settings Of the device.
- Enter the section Screen.
- Select the option Navigation bar (or Navigation Bar).
- Choose the order of the buttons or uncheck the box to remove the bar and activate gesture navigation.
Depending on the manufacturer, the route may vary slightly. On devices SamsungThe path is usually Settings > Display, and there you select the option to Full screen gesturesIn the case of mobile phones XiaomiThe path is similar: Settings > Display > Full screen gestures to make the virtual buttons disappear.
Other third-party applications for personalization
Besides Fluid Navigation Gestures, there are other tools on the Play Store that allow you to manage the navigation bar. Apps like NavigationBar – Assistive Touch Bar, Simple Control or Custom Navigation Bar They offer similar functions, such as changing colors, intensity, and icons.
For example, the app Navigation Bar It allows you to adjust the bar width, background color, and button appearance using themes. It even lets you assign specific actions to long-pressing each button. However, it's important to note that some of these free apps contain a significant number of ads, which can negatively impact the user experience.
Steps to follow to give the application the necessary permissions so that it can hide the original Android bar
Then I leave you as a summary, the Steps to follow both on our Android device and on the Windows PCso that you can give the app the necessary permissions to do the job of hiding the navigation bar.
Download ADB and steps to follow to grant the app permission to hide the Android bar
To enable Fluid Navigation Gestures to manipulate the system interface and hide the navigation bar, we need to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB). Follow these steps carefully:
- The first will be enable developer optionsTo do this, go to System > System Information and look for the build numberby clicking on it seven times in a row until developer mode is activated.
- Enter the newly enabled developer options and turn on USB Debugging.
- From your Windows PC, download the tools ADB Android.
- Unzip the file and Copy the Platform-tools folder inside the C: drive from your computer
- Open the Platform-tools folder, right-click in an empty space while holding down the key SHIFT and select Open the PowerShell window here.
- Connect your Android smartphone with the Fluid Navigation Gestures app already installed using a USB cable.
- In the PowerShell window, type the following command:
adb shell pm grant com.fb.fluid android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
If this command gives an error, try:./adb shell pm grant com.fb.fluid android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS - Accept the USB debugging notification that will appear on your mobile screen by checking the box. never ask again.
- Finally, open the app and select the option to Hide navigation bar within the settings menu.
Advanced solutions for recent Android versions
As the system has evolved, Google has restricted applications' ability to overlay the navigation bar. In more recent versions, some users have reported that the bar doesn't disappear completely, even with ADB.
For those seeking a deeper solution and who are not afraid to use advanced customization tools, there is a method through Substratum LiteThis process requires the installation of a specific theme called nonavbar.apkThis works on the Android system to force the removal of the status bar. The process involves installing Substratum Lite, applying the no-status-bar theme to the Android system, restarting the device, and enabling the overlay from the app manager.
For users of Samsung GalaxyThere is an official and very powerful alternative called Good LockThrough the Galaxy Store, you can download Good Lock and then install the module NavStarwhich allows you to hide gesture suggestions and customize the navigation bar in a way that is much more integrated with the system.
Technical considerations regarding the visibility of the user interface (UI)
From a technical standpoint, hiding the navigation bar involves interacting with the system's visibility settings. It's important to know that in many applications, tapping anywhere on the screen will temporarily make the navigation and status bars reappear.
For developers or advanced users, it is essential to understand that the use of flags such as SYSTEM_UI_FLAG_LAYOUT_HIDE_NAVIGATION It allows an app's content to appear behind the navigation bar. This prevents the app from resizing or "jumping" when the bar hides and reappears, providing a much smoother and more stable viewing experience.
Image gallery
Implementing gesture navigation allows for a much more immersive user experience, eliminating the visual distraction of permanent buttons. Whether through the simplicity of native options, the power of Fluid Navigation Gestures supported by ADB, or the integration of modules like NavStar on Samsung devices, today any user can adapt their device's interface to their exact workflow and ergonomic preferences.
