You can hide the Pixel 3 XL notch, but Google makes it tricky – Here’s how

• You can hide the extremely controversial Google Pixel 3 XL notch.
• Google doesn’t make the option easy-to-find, but it is possible to do without third-party software.
• Hopefully, Google will make access to a notch-hiding toggle more obvious in the future, as other OEMs have already done.

---

If you’re excited to buy the Google Pixel 3 XL (or if you’ve already pre-ordered yours), you probably don’t mind the enormous display notch on the device. But if you’re on the fence about buying the latest Google smartphone because of the giant cutout, we have good news: you can hide the Google Pixel 3 XL notch.

Unfortunately, though, Google doesn’t make the option to hide the notch very obvious.

Other OEMs who have released notched phones — such as OnePlus, Xiaomi, Huawei, etc. — put options right in Android settings where you can easily toggle the notch “on” or “off”. Granted, the notch doesn’t disappear; the software simply blacks out the sides of the notch to make it appear as if the top of the phone is one uniform bezel. But hey, it’s better than nothing.

Editor's Pick

Missed the Pixel 3 event? Catch up in four minutes with this video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dufxpHm4bg Google introduced its new Pixel 3 smartphones yesterday alongside a host of other hardware and software products. We've been covering all of them on the website, but if you’re looking for a quick roundup, here’s one …

The Google Pixel 3 XL doesn’t have a toggle in Android settings, though. Google instead hid the notch toggle in Developer Options.

Those of you who are familiar with rooting, custom ROMs, and other advanced procedures within Android will be very familiar with Developer Options. However, if you are a casual Android user you may need some assistance.

For you, we’ve listed out the steps below for how to hide the Google Pixel 3 XL notch:

1. Use your preferred method to navigate to Android settings on your Google Pixel 3 XL.
2. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the list and tap on System.
3. Within System, tap the first option — About Phone.
4. Within About Phone, scroll all the way to the bottom where you’ll see your device’s build number.
5. Repeatedly tap on your build number about six or seven times.
6. Eventually, you’ll be asked to re-enter your PIN. Enter it.
7. You’ll see a notification that says, “You are now a developer!”
8. Head back now to the System page where you should see Developer Options (if you don’t, tap the Advanced toggle).
9. Within Developer Options, you’ll see a ton of settings. You’re looking for the one that says Device Cutout.
10. Tap on Device Cutout, and then tap Hide.

That’s it! You have now hidden the display notch on your Google Pixel 3 XL. It’s certainly a lot trickier than it is on the OnePlus 6 (navigate to Settings > Display > Notch Display and then turn it off), but hey, at least the option is there.

Hopefully, Google will make it easier to hide the notch in future updates to Pixel software.

NEXT: Pixel 3 series to get guaranteed feature, security updates until October 2021

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2QGlC39