Google’s new Pixel 3 XL is an excellent phone with lots of features to love, but the notch at the top of the screen isn’t one of them. Here’s how to hide the notch on your Pixel 3 XL.
For those unaware, the “notch” is the black thing at the top of the Pixel 3 XL’s screen. This accommodates the sensor, speaker, cameras and more while maximizing screen space. While you’re waiting for real edge-to-edge displays, this is the next best thing.
In fact, the company received a lot of criticism for the large face-like notch that opens up to the screen. Some go as far as calling the phone the “notch city” and others silly jokes or Humor over excitement. That said, there are several ways to get around the notch on the Pixel 3 XL, and here they are.
How to Hide Pixel 3 XL Notch
For whatever reason, Google has hidden this setting in Developer Options. Also a special settings menu hidden from users. Therefore, you must enable it first. It only takes a minute, so follow our steps exactly as outlined below.
Now your Pixel 3 XL will hide the notch and will look more like traditional phones of the past few years. So there will be a bezel on top and it will look almost like a Pixel 2 XL from 2017. It’s worth noting that this works extremely well and you might not realize that this is a software trick that hides the notch. You lose some screen real estate which is a bummer.
Another option
If you don’t like losing that screen space but also hate the notch, you have one more option. Download the Nacho Notch app From Google Play Store.
Unlike Google’s method, Nacho Notch places the status bar (time, clock, date, battery, and notifications) inside the notch. It’s closed to the left and right sides, but still darkens the notch. That way, you actually keep using the entire screen, but that hides the glaring thing.
We’ve seen a similar option from LG and OnePlus and hopefully Google adds it to the Pixel 3 XL settings menu in the near future.
For now you can enable and hide developer options yourself or use third party apps like Nacho Notch. Before we go, take a look at our guide to 15 common Pixel 3 problems and how to fix them. Otherwise, hide that notch and enjoy your phone.
