The navbar is currently hidden in Android 7.0

Aug 25, 2016 08:45 GMT  ·  By

Google released the stable version of Android 7.0 Nougat at the start of the week, but it seems that the company has left some interesting features out, like the Nexus Launcher or Google Assistant. Android Police found that Google is working on a customizable navbar that's hidden in Nougat.

The new feature could help users customize the navbar in multiple ways. The navbar is hidden in Nougat's code and a tipster has managed to enable it by modding SystemUI. It seems that all standard buttons on the navbar will be removable and new ones can be added.

Google would provide users with the option to add a clipboard button, a button for assigning keyboard functions, as well as a spacer. Users could also add menu and keyboard switchers if they wished. In addition, there will be icons at the right-hand side of the display, which would allow users to control and move buttons around.

The navbar will come with the option to remove and resize icons

One option would be for resizing icons, the other for removing buttons and the third one for moving the icon right or left on the navbar. Aside from this, users will have multiple options for the keycode and clipboard.

It seems that a flashable ZIP was posted on XDA Developers, but it will only work on Nexus 6P devices and it could cause other smartphones serious issues. Users would need a custom recovery like TWRP to flash the ZIP and backup their phones before attempting to perform the process.

Google announced a few days ago that Android 7.0 Nougat will be receiving quarterly maintenance updates, similar to developer previews when Android N beta. Rumors say that Android 7.0 Nougat will be coming this fall and it will include the Nexus Launcher and Google Assistant. It is also said that the two upcoming Nexus smartphones, the Marlin and Sailfish will come with Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box.

Customizable navbar in Android Nougat (8 Images)

Navigation bar in Nougat
SystemUI Tuner menuNavigation bar options
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