Hide Display Notch and Cutouts on Pixel

You can hide the display notch and cutouts on a Pixel phone by enabling the “Display cutout” developer option and setting it to “Hide,” which adds black bars above and below the camera area. This works on Pixel models with a punch-hole or notch, such as the Pixel 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 series, and it makes the screen behave like a traditional rectangular display. Here’s everything you need to know about why you’d want to do this, how it works, and what to expect.

Why Hide the Notch or Cutout?

Most Pixel phones use a punch-hole camera cutout in the top center of the display. While it’s small, some users find it distracting when watching videos, playing games, or reading text that wraps around it. Hiding the cutout forces the system to treat the entire top area as a black bar, so no content ever overlaps the camera hole. This is especially useful for apps that haven’t been updated to handle cutouts properly, where UI elements can get hidden behind the hole.

Another reason is screen burn-in. If you keep the status bar visible with the cutout, the pixels around it may wear unevenly over time. By blacking out the area, you reduce the chance of visible burn-in patterns, though the effect is minor on modern OLED panels.

How the Display Cutout Setting Works

The setting is part of Android’s developer options, not the main display settings menu. When you set “Display cutout” to “Hide,” Android adds a black bar across the top of the screen that’s tall enough to cover the cutout area. The status bar (clock, battery, signal icons) stays visible in that black bar, and the rest of the screen below it works as a normal rectangular display.

This is a system-level change, so it affects all apps and the home screen. You don’t need to root the phone or install any third-party software. The option is available on all Pixel phones running Android 9 or later, though the exact menu path varies slightly by version.

Step-by-Step Guide to Hide the Cutout

1. Open the Settings app on your Pixel.
2. Scroll down and tap About phone.
3. Find Build number and tap it seven times. You’ll see a message saying “You are now a developer!”
4. Go back to the main Settings menu and tap System.
5. Tap Developer options.
6. Scroll down to the Drawing section and find Display cutout.
7. Tap it and select Hide.

After selecting Hide, the black bar appears immediately. To revert, follow the same steps and choose “Default” or “Always show” depending on your Android version.

What Changes Visually When You Hide It

When the cutout is hidden, the screen area above the cutout becomes permanently black. This means:

• The status bar background is always black, even on light-themed apps.
• Videos and games will not extend into the top black bar; they’ll be letterboxed to fit below it.
• The home screen wallpaper will not appear behind the status bar area.
• You lose some vertical screen space – roughly 30-50 pixels depending on the model.

For example, on a Pixel 7 with a 2400×1080 display, hiding the cutout reduces the usable height to about 2350 pixels. The difference is noticeable but not huge, and many users prefer the cleaner look.

Common Problems and Fixes

One common issue is that the setting doesn’t stick after a system update. If that happens, you’ll need to re-enable developer options and set it again. Another issue is that some apps still draw behind the black bar because they use edge-to-edge display modes that ignore the cutout setting. In that case, you can try forcing the app to not use the full screen by going to Settings > Display > Full screen apps and setting the specific app to “Standard” instead of “Full screen.”

If you see a black bar but the cutout is still visible as a shadow, it’s likely because the screen brightness is high and the OLED panel is showing a slight gray tint. This is normal and not a defect.

Comparison with Other Methods

There are third-party apps that claim to hide the notch, but most just add a black wallpaper or overlay, which doesn’t work system-wide. The built-in developer option is the only reliable method that works across all apps without root. Some custom launchers offer similar features, but they only affect the home screen, not apps or games.

On other Android phones, the setting may be called “Display cutout” or “Notch display” and might be in the main display settings. On Pixel, it’s only in developer options, which is why many users don’t find it.

Does It Affect Battery or Performance?

Hiding the cutout does not affect battery life or performance. The black bar is simply a rendering boundary; the pixels are turned off, which on OLED screens actually saves a tiny amount of power because black pixels are off. There’s no additional processing involved. Some users worry that the black bar will cause burn-in, but since the bar is static and the pixels are off, it’s not a concern.

Alternatives to Hiding the Cutout

If you don’t want to hide the cutout entirely, you can:

• Use a dark wallpaper and dark theme to make the cutout less noticeable.
• Use a third-party app that adds a black status bar without changing the whole display.
• Rotate your phone to landscape – the cutout is on the side, and most apps will letterbox it automatically.
• Use a case or screen protector with a painted top edge (though this is rare for Pixel phones).

None of these are as clean as the built-in hide option, but they’re worth trying if you want to keep the full screen area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will hiding the cutout work on all Pixel models?

Yes, the developer option is available on all Pixel phones with a notch or punch-hole, including Pixel 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 series. On older Pixels like the Pixel 3 XL, the option is also present. If you don’t see it, make sure you’ve enabled developer options.

Does hiding the cutout affect the camera or sensors?

No, the camera and sensors still work normally. The black bar is purely a display overlay; it doesn’t block the camera or affect its function. The front camera still captures photos as usual.

Can I hide the cutout on a Pixel without developer options?

No, the only system-level way is through developer options. There’s no toggle in the main display settings. Some third-party apps claim to do it, but they only add a black wallpaper or overlay, which doesn’t work in all apps.

Will hiding the cutout cause burn-in?

No, it actually reduces the risk of burn-in because the top area is black (pixels off). The status bar icons are still visible, but they’re the same as before. The black bar itself won’t burn in because it’s off.

Does the black bar go away in full-screen apps like YouTube?

No, the black bar remains persistent. When you watch a video in full screen, the video will be letterboxed to fit below the black bar, so you’ll see black bars on the top and possibly the sides. This is expected behavior.

How do I undo the hide setting?

Go back to Settings > System > Developer options > Display cutout and select “Default” (or “Always show” on some versions). The screen will return to normal immediately.

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