How to remove Xiaomi monobrow: the complete guide

Owners of smartphones with AMOLED-The screens often encounter what is known as a β€œmonobre” β€” a black bar at the top of the display that hides the front camera and sensors β€” and on Xiaomi devices, this feature can be annoying, especially if you’re used to the classic look of a status bar. Fortunately, modern shells MIUI HyperOS provides flexible tools for customizing the appearance.

There are several effective ways to solve this problem, ranging from standard system settings to more advanced methods through the engineering menu. The choice of a particular method depends on the model of your gadget, the version of the operating system and the type of screen installed. In some cases, you need not just hide the cutout, but reassign the operation of the sensors so that the functionality of the device does not interfere.

In this article, we will take a look at all the options available to eliminate black bars, how to activate hidden developer functions and what risks can arise when you interfere with system settings, and carefully following the instructions will allow you to make the interface as clean and convenient for daily use without losing important notifications.

Standard display settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The safest and most recommended way to change the look of the top of the screen is to use built-in features. Xiaomi engineers have designed the ability to hide the cutout under the camera software method, darkening the area around it or changing the color of the status bar. This method does not require root rights and is completely reversible at any time.

You need to go to the settings menu and find the section that controls the screen, and the path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same, and you need to find the option option for Additional or Advanced Settings, where you often hide the options for controlling the cutout.

  • πŸ“± Go to the settings of your smartphone.
  • πŸ” Find the Screen or Display section.
  • πŸ›  Go to the subsection Additional (may be called "MoreΒ»).
  • πŸ‘ Select the Notch in the Screen or Hiding the Notch.

The menu that opens will offer you a few options for design. You can choose full cover, where the area around the camera will turn black, merging with the frames, or partial dimming. MIUI 12, 13, 14 and the new HyperOS usually offer the option β€œHide the cutout”, which visually removes the monobrow, making the status bar whole.

⚠️ Note: After turning on the cutout hide function, the screen usable area can be visually reduced as the system reserves the area under the camera, even if it is not used by active applications.

If the standard menu does not contain the necessary options, this may mean that the manufacturer of software for a particular model has blocked this feature, in which case it is worth checking for system updates, since new firmware versions often bring additional features for customizing the interface.

Using the Developer Mode to Enhance Opportunities

When standard settings aren't enough, developer mode comes to the rescue, which is a hidden part of the system designed to test applications and deep-tube Android settings, and this is often where the keys to managing interface elements that aren't displayed in the regular menu are found.

To activate this mode, you need to quickly click seven times on the build number in the About section, and then a new option will appear in the settings menu "Additional" or "Extended settings", and inside it - "For developers", and here we are interested in the option associated with the display of the cutout.

πŸ“Š What's your version? MIUI?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
HyperOS

You can find the Display cutout option in the developer's list of settings, and if you click on it, you'll see a list of apps or system settings that you can force to change the behavior of content display in the monobrow area, and if you force it to change that, it causes the system to ignore the physical cutout and stretch the image over the entire matrix area.

  • πŸ”§ Find the Display cutout item in the developer menu.
  • βš™οΈ Select the desired application or system interface.
  • βœ… Set the value of Hide or Double Height.
  • πŸ”„ Restart the device to apply changes.

It is worth noting that this method may not work smoothly on some models, for example, on the Xiaomi Redmi Note series, changes can be reset after a reboot, requiring reconfiguration, and it is possible to shift interface elements in some applications that are not optimized to work with the changed area of the safe zone.

Engineering menu and codes for deep customization

For advanced users who are not afraid to experiment, there is access to the engineering menu through special devices. USSD-This method allows you to control the hardware display parameters and calibration of sensors, which is sometimes necessary to correctly remove the artifacts of the interface.

In the dialer, you need to enter a special code, such as ##6484## or #4636##. The test menu will open, where you can find settings in the Common or Display section related to pixel density (DPI) or screen calibration. Changing the DPI can visually stretch the interface by hiding the black bar, but this will affect the size of all elements of the system.

adb shell wm density 400

Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands is a safer alternative to directly tampering with the engineering menu. By connecting the phone to a computer, you can send a command to change the screen density, which often helps remove the monobrow on models where it is implemented software. However, changing the DPI below 360 can make the text unreadable, so act carefully.

ParameterStandard valueRecommended valueRisk
DPI (Denseness)390-420360-380Small print
Frequency of update60 Hz90/120 HzBattery consumption
PermissionFHD+HD+Fuzziness
Scope of the interface1.00.9Shifting buttons

After making changes through the ADB or engineering menu, be sure to check the touchscreen across the screen area. Sometimes shifting the display area causes the extremes to stop responding to touch, which is critical for navigation.

Application of third-party applications and launchers

If system methods fail, third-party apps from the Google Play Store come to the rescue, and there are many utilities specifically designed to mask cutouts and manage the status bar on Android devices.

One popular solution is the Cutout Masker app, or analogs, which creates an extra layer over the black notch that can be either black (for AMOLED) or colored, mimicking the notification curtain, which allows you to visually integrate the monobrow into the interface design or completely hide it by covering the useful area.

β˜‘οΈ Checking before installing applications

Done: 0 / 4

Custom launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher also work effectively, allowing you to resize your desktop grid and indentations so that icons and widgets can be moved below the notch area. The launcher settings often have an "Allow icon extendeds" or "Hide notch" option that solves the problem at the home screen level.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party notch masking apps consume extra battery power as they are constantly active and draw a graphic layer over the system interface.

When using these utilities, it is important to monitor their compatibility with your version of Android. On new versions of Android 13 and 14, the system tightens access to overlays (overlay layers), so you may need manual permission in special features.

Problems with the proximity sensor and their solution

Often, the desire to remove the monobrow is not only due to aesthetics, but also to the problems of the proximity sensor, which is usually located in this black stripe. If the sensor is closed with a protective glass or is not working correctly, the screen may go out during a conversation or, conversely, not turn off in your pocket.

In some cases, the monobrow is a software artifact that arises from a conflict of sensor drivers. Resetting sensor settings through an engineering menu or a special application (for example, Proximity Sensor Reset) can help. Once calibrated, the need for artificially concealing the sensor zone may disappear, as the system begins to correctly determine its boundaries.

  • πŸ“ž Open the engineering menu through code.
  • πŸ“‘ Select the Proximity Sensor test.
  • πŸ‘ Close the top of the screen with your hand.
  • βœ… Press Calibrate or Pass.

If software calibration doesn't work, it may be physical contamination or misalignment of the plume, and in such cases, software-based monobrow concealment is just a temporary cosmetic solution that doesn't address the root of the sensor problem.

What to do if the sensor is stuck?
If the sensor continues to work incorrectly after calibration, try pasting a thin layer of transparent tape onto the sensor area (on the outside of the screen), or, conversely, gently rubbing alcohol on the area at the top of the display. Sometimes it helps to lightly warm the upper face with a hairdryer (without overheating!) to restore the contact of the plume.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to hide a monobrow through the developer settings?
Yes, it's safe. Changes to the developer menu only affect the software display of the interface and don't affect the hardware. You can always return the default settings.
Will I lose access to the camera if I close my monobrow?
No, the front camera will be accessed, and the system will simply stop displaying black backgrounds around the lens, but the camera module will continue to function normally in calls and applications.
Why did the monobrow appear again after the firmware update?
Updating the system often resets custom settings, including developer settings and screen customization, and you’ll have to repeat the setup procedure after each major MIUI or HyperOS update.
Can I remove the monobrow on Xiaomi with LCD screen?
On LCD screens, there's usually no monobrow per se, it uses either a droplet or a mechanical retractable mechanism. If you see a black bar on an LCD, it's most likely an interface bug or an incorrect resolution that's treated by resetting the screen settings.

πŸ’‘

Unbrow removal is primarily a software setting that should not affect the device warranty unless root rights are used.

To sum up, it is possible to say that to remove monobrow on Xiaomi quite realistically standard means of system. the most stable result is given by the combination of settings in the section "Screen" and correct operation of sensors. Remember that aesthetics of the interface should not go to the detriment of functionality, so carefully check the work of notifications after making changes.