How to Remove Navigation Buttons on Tecno Phones
Many Android users are familiar with the traditional button-based navigation system, which features three buttons at the bottom of the screen.
These buttons allow you to open recent apps, return to the home screen, or go back to the previous page. However, there’s an alternative navigation method available on Android devices, including Tecno phones—Gesture Navigation.
With Gesture Navigation, the three navigation buttons disappear, creating a cleaner, wider screen. It also offers a more dynamic navigation experience that can allow you to use gestures instead of being restricted to the on-screen buttons.
If you’re a Tecno user and want to switch to Gesture Navigation but aren’t sure how, don’t worry! We’ve put together a simple guide to help you remove the navigation buttons on your Tecno mobile phone.
How to Remove Navigation Buttons
Switching to Gesture Navigation on your Tecno phone is easy. Just follow these steps:
- Open Settings from the status bar or the app drawer.
- Tap on Display & Brightness.
- Scroll down to the bottom and select System Navigation (highlighted in blue).
- To switch from the button-based system to gesture navigation, tap on the Gesture Navigation option at the top.
How to Use Gesture Navigation
Gesture navigation offers a way to navigate your phone without the traditional on-screen buttons. Instead of relying on the recent, home, and back buttons, you can use simple gestures to operate your phone.
If you’ve been using button navigation, it might take some time to get used to the gestures. To help you adapt, here’s a guide to the main gestures used in the gesture navigation system:
- Back to the Previous Level
This gesture functions just like the back button. To go back to the previous page or window, swipe inward from either the left or right edge of the screen. You can swipe from the top left or right corner downwards to achieve this.
- Open the recent apps screen
This gesture replaces the recent apps button, typically represented by a square or three stacked lines. To open the recent apps screen, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold it in the middle. After a moment, a list of previously opened apps will appear, and you can select any app you’d like to switch to.
- Return to home
Similar to the home button on the navigation bar, this gesture allows you to return to your home screen. It’s similar to the gesture for opening recent apps, but for the home screen, you simply swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen without holding it, and a bit faster.
- Switch apps
This gesture works when you want to quickly switch between two open apps. To switch, swipe right or left at the bottom edge of the screen. This is an efficient way to toggle between apps that are next to each other.
- Active voice assistant
To open Google Assistant or Gemini, swipe up from either the left or right corner of the screen. Once activated, you can ask questions or give voice commands as usual.
These gestures are relatively easy to use, but it may take some time to get used to, especially if you're more accustomed to button navigation.
You might find yourself instinctively looking for the three buttons at the bottom of the screen at first, but with some practice, gesture navigation can offer a smoother and more dynamic experience.
However, not everyone prefers gesture navigation. Some users, including Tecno phone owners, may find the gestures harder to master or simply prefer the button layout.
If you decide that button navigation suits you better, you can easily switch back by following the steps above and selecting Button Navigation or Three-Button Navigation.
For reference, the images shown are from the Tecno Spark 30 Pro, but the steps remain consistent across other Tecno phones, especially those with the HiOS interface. Hope this helps!