How to remove or hide the notch on Google Pixel 3 XL

Opinions from a lot of users vary as regards the notch on the Google Pixel 3 XL. The notch we are talking about here is the black box on top of the screen that houses the front camera and other sensors. Some sees the notch as a good break from traditional Android devices design while others view it as unnecessary design flaw. Whichever opinion prevails or becomes majority, the fact remains that it’s part of the hardware and software experience. If you are distracted by it and wants to see if there’s a way to hide or remove it, we suggest that you continue reading below.

Solution 1: Hide the notch on Pixel 3 XL using developer option

There is a built in option that you can use under Settings to get rid of the notch. The problem is that you’ll be sacrificing even more space on your screen. This option will artificially remove the notch by featuring a black bar at the top. While it is convincing enough in hiding the notch, the status bar is actually just changed to look bigger. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on System.
3. Tap About Phone.
4. Scroll down and tap Build number seven times until you get a message saying that “you are now a developer.”
5. Go back to the main Settings page and type “notch” in the search bar.
6. Tap on the result called Display cutout. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > System > Developer options > and scroll down until you see Display cutout.
7. Select Hide.

Solution 2: Hide the notch on Pixel 3 XL using third party apps

If you don’t want to use Android’s built-in feature to hide the notch, you can opt for third party apps. There are a few apps that you can choose from but a good alternative that we suggest is the one called Nacho Notch — Notch Hider. This app is free and is available in Google Play Store.

Unlike the Google built-in option to hide the notch, Nacho Notch will not make the spaces around the notch useless. It leaves the status bar around it usable, allowing notifications and icons to continue showing up at the top. To make it easier to use, you can put a Nacho Notch quick settings tile in the notification drawer. This allows you to quickly enable or disable it.

Nacho Notch doesn’t work on the lock screen so the notch should still be visible there.

Solution 3: Get rid of the notch by using a Google Pixel 3

If you are still trying to decide whether or not to get a Google Pixel 3 XL and you don’t like having the notch, we suggest that you opt for a Google Pixel 3 instead. While sporting a smaller screen, it doesn’t feature the notch but still gives you the same overall experience as the bigger Google Pixel 3 XL. The Pixel 3 has the same hardware, software, and camera as the Pixel 3 XL. The former does have a smaller battery but since it also has a smaller screen (5.5 inches as opposed to the XL’s 6.3-inch screen), it should have more or less the same staying power. It’s also $100 cheaper.

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