How to remove the status bar on Android Xiaomi: hide the notification panel forever

The status bar on Xiaomi smartphones is the top bar with notification icons, time, charge level and network signal. It's useful for most users, but some want to hide it, to increase the usable screen area, get rid of distractions or just for the sake of experiment. In this article, we'll look at all the possible ways, from standard MIUI settings to deep system changes through ADB.

It’s important to understand that completely removing the firmware status bar requires super-user rights (root) or special commands. On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Poco F5), this can cause gestural malfunctions. We’ll look at both secure methods for beginners and advanced solutions for power users.

Why you can’t just turn off the status bar in the settings

Unlike the bottom navigation bar, which can be hidden in Settings → Display → Full-screen mode, the top status bar is hard-wired into the Android system. Its display is regulated by SystemUI, and manufacturers (including Xiaomi) do not provide a standard way to completely disable.

• 🔒 System security: The notification panel contains critical indicators (charge, network, time) without which the user can miss important signals.
• 📱 Navigation gestures: on Xiaomi with MIUI 12+ Top-down swipes are used to call the notification bar and quick settings. Disabling them breaks the logic of management.
• 🛠️ Google Limitations: Standard Android does not allow you to remove the status bar without firmware modifications, as this violates the compatibility guidelines.

However, there are workarounds, such as temporarily hiding a panel in full-screen applications (games, videos) or using it. ADB-commands to disable system elements.

Method 1: Temporary concealment in full screen mode

The easiest and safest method is to activate full-screen mode for individual applications. This won't remove the status bar completely, but will hide it for the duration of the program. It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models with MIUI 11 and later.

Instructions:

1. Open the app where you want to hide the panel (such as a game or video player).
2. Swipe from the bottom up and hold (to call the menu of recent apps).
3. Click on the app icon at the top of the card and select Full-screen mode (or Immersive mode in English firmware).
4. Confirm the action. The status string will disappear, but it will return with a top-down swipe.

⚠️ Note: In some applications (e.g. YouTube), full screen mode may conflict with navigation gestures. If swipes stop working to return to the back after activation, turn off mode in the display settings.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

For users willing to work with the command line, there is a way to hide the status bar through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer and a developer mode enabled.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version until the notification "You've become a developer" appears.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

ADB-driver

adb shell


settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

Once you run the status bar, the bottom navigation bar will disappear in all applications, but the top-down swipe will still call the notification bar. To get it back, use the command:

settings put global policy_control null

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If so, ADB-If you have a command that your gestures stop working, reboot your phone, 90 percent of the time, it solves the problem.

Method 3: Using hide applications (requires root)

If you have root rights, you can use specialized utilities.

• 🔧 Nacho Notch – allows you to hide the cutouts and status bar, but does not work on all Xiaomi models (checked on Mi 11 and Redmi) K40).
• 📱 SystemUI Tuner – Advanced SystemUI Customization Tool, Including Disabling Individual Panel Elements.
• 🛠️ LSPosed + Hide Status Bar – requires installation of Magisk and LSPosed frameworks.

⚠️ Note: the use of root applications can lead to:

• Misfunctions in MIUI (for example, missing notifications).
• Blocking of banking applications (due to the SafetyNet trigger).
• Loss of warranty (if the phone is warranty).

Before installing modules, backup via TWRP or Xiaomi Cloud. On models with Dynamic RAM (such as Xiaomi 13T), such manipulations can cause overheating.

Method 4: Edit the build.prop file (for experienced)

This method involves changing the system file build.prop, which can lead to bootloop (locked phone on) if you make an error. Use only if you are confident in your actions and there is a backup.

Instructions:

1. Get root access and install a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop and open the file in the text editor.
3. Add a line to the end of the file: qemu.hw.mainkeys=1 This command makes the system “think” that there are physical buttons on the device, and hides the virtual navigation bar along with the status bar.
4. Save the changes, set the 644 license and restart the phone.

🔹 Important: on Xiaomi with MIUI 14 this method may not work because of the protection of the dm-verity system partition, in which case you will need to disable the Magisk check.

Method 5: Installation of custom firmware

The radical but most effective way is to flash an alternative firmware where the status bar can be turned off in the settings.

Before the firmware:

• 🔋 Charge your phone to 100%.
• 📱 Unlock bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (can take up to 72 hours).
• 💾 Install. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
• 📦 Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).

⚠️ Note: custom software firmware voids warranty and may lead to data loss.On new Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra), unlocking bootloader can be blocked at hardware level.

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Custom firmware gives you maximum customization freedom, but requires technical knowledge. For beginners, it is better to start with methods 1-2.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When trying to hide the status bar, Xiaomi users encounter common errors.

• 🔄 The scalings stopped working: If ADB-commands or build.prop editing don't work gestures, reset gesture settings in Settings → Display. → Full screen mode → Gestures.
• 📵 Missing network or mobile internet: This can happen when you delete system files through root. APN In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
• 🔋 Battery goes down quickly: Some state bar hiding modules (e.g. via LSPosed) increase power consumption. → Battery → Battery utilization.
• 🔒 Banking apps don't work: Linked to SafetyNet trigger. Check status through SafetyNet Test app and use MagiskHide Props Config module to disguise root.

If none of these methods helped, return the standard settings:

• For ADB: Execute settings put global policy_control null.
• For root applications: remove modules through Magisk Manager.
• For custom firmware: Sweeve the original MIUI through Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions