Nokia 7.1 and Nokia 8.1 are two recent smartphones from Nokia which feature a cutout display, often referred to as “notch”. For unknown reasons, only some regions have the ability to enable or disable the “full bezel” mode. This builds up a virtual dark bezel (status bar) and the phone appears to be without any cutout.
For example, the variants sold in Europe have the full bezel (or hide notch) already enabled. That stops all apps from extending to the uppermost part of the display. Similarly, some regions (like India) have notch visible with no way to hide it. Luckily, the setting is in the smartphone, just not made available to the end users. Here’s how you can access the hidden setting.
Tip: Nokia Mobile has enabled the option to hide or unhide the notch on the Nokia 6.1 Plus and Nokia 5.1 Plus with the Android Pie update. So, you need not follow this guide on those phones.
Option 1: Developer Options
In some regions (like India and other Asian countries), Nokia has hidden the setting inside the developer options. A lot of OEMs use developer options to include settings which are not entirely stable or not suited for all users.
- Open Settings > System > About phone.
- Tap 7-times constantly on Build Number. Doing this will enable the Developer Options.
- Now open Settings > System > Developer Options.
- Look for an entry named “Full Bezel: Set the background color of status bar in black“. Enable the toggle in front of it.
Developer options (Nokia 8.1)
You will notice that the status bar converts entirely into a black bar and aligns with the notched area. This gives an illusion that there’s no notch and none of the apps try to extend all the way to the notched area.
Similarly, you can turn it off to probably make a better use of the available screen.
Option 2: Use the hidden “Status bar style” setting
If you are from a region (especially Europe) where the setting is not in the developer options, then you can launch the hidden setting to enable or disable the “full bezel” mode. Tested on a Nokia 8.1 and Nokia 7.1.
- Download Shortcut Creator app (1.3MB) from the Play Store. Click the image below or scan the QR code on your phone.
- Open the app and tap on Settings (in the left sidebar)
- Tap on Observe activities under Settings Activities.
- Use the search button to search for Notch.
- Now simply tap on the filtered activity – Status bar style. Then tap on the Play icon at the top-right to launch it. You know what to do after that 😉
Simply select the style of status bar as per your preference. If you want to hide the notch, then select Full bezel. On the other hand, to make it visible, select Default.
You can also go back to Shortcut Creator and press the Plus () button to add a shortcut to your home screen. Then you can use the shortcut to launch the hidden setting whenever needed.
So, that’s how you can enable the hidden notch hide setting on your Nokia smartphone. This might work on some other Android One smartphones which have the setting hidden (not sure why they do that).
Do let us know (in comments) if you were able to modify the status bar style on your Nokia.
I found anther way. Install SetEdit from playstore. Look for Notch full bezel. Edit value from 1 to 0.
No save, no restart of phone. Works in NL.
This works with a dutch nokia 5.1 plus
Yep…this way is quick and easy…thanks Nollie for the post
Its work in Android 10 too. Not work Shortcut Creator anymore (Status bar style)
Thank you so much for recommending this app. Shortcut Creator no longer has the option to change the status bar style with the new Android update, but this app worked a treat. Thank you!
Worked for my Dutch Nokia 8.1. Thnxs
Worked for my Dutch Nokia 8.1. Thnxs👍🏻
Thanks so much for your help
thanx Nollie, worx perfectly for my newly refurbed Nokia 8.1. Feb.2023 as we speak!
Australian variants are often lame phones. Nokia 8.1 Au/NZ version has single SIM only, 4Gb, (and costs more) whereas the HK variant has dual SIMs, 6Gb, and is cheaper. I don’t buy Australian variants anymore for expensive phones or nice phones that I have high expectation on (like the 8.1). In fact i bought an official 8.1 at a large Australian local store which has only one IMEI (and Nokia’s website doesn’t have clear info about single SIM or dual SIM). The next day I just took it back to the store and swapped for a Moto G7 plus (dual SIMs dual standby, and it has a third slot for microSD) which was prices A$200 lower.
Nokia 8.1, Belgium, No “Full bezel” option in developer options.
I was able to unhide the notch with “shortcut creator”
Thanks.
Nokia 8.1, works the way with the application for shortcuts. There are no settings in the developer options. Telephone from Poland.
Can verify this does not work for the nokia 5.1plus
Thank you for the feedback. Have you also checked for the option at other places such as the Developer Options? Also, does the relevant settings activity not exist on the Nokia 5.1 Plus?
Some variants (Australia)come without the setting for full bezel in both display and developers settings,the notch setting activity does exist but the app crashes when trying to launch(nokia 5.1 plus)
I have noticed in this article it says Nokia has given the option to hide/unhide the notch with the pie update for the 6.1 plus and the 5.1 plus,i can assure you this is not the case with the Australian 5.1 plus variant i’ve been on pie since i purchased this phone two months ago
Alright, that’s certainly annoying. They did enable it on the Nokia 5.1 Plus and 6.1 Plus sold in India and I probably expected too much and assumed it to be global. Looks like nothing can be done in your case other than waiting for a future OS update 🙁
Hopefully we will get the update soon,it’s a hindrance for me as i run kustom live wallpaper homescreens and it means i have to reposition every preset to fit my screen😒
Hi! This isn’t workong on nokia 5.1 plus. I can’t use full bezel cause the application crashes when i try to unhide a hidden notch.
Thanks a lot
They moved it to display options
Sittings>>Display>>Advanced>>Full bezel
24 July 2019 Nokia 8.1 after all updates