You've probably noticed that line at the bottom of your phone screen, but what does it do? We have the answers.
Almost every piece of tech has a touchscreen today, from cellphones and computers to cars and smart home devices. And while hardware increasingly revolves around touchscreen interfaces, touchscreen technology itself has also evolved. When it comes to phones, that means bigger, brighter and more beautiful displays. But it also means that some old features have been replaced. One big example is the little line at the bottom of your screen replacing the button on almost all new phones.
You’ve probably noticed this little line on your phone’s display. But what is that little line, why is it there and what can you actually do with it? We talked to Ljubomir Bardzic, a professional user interface (UI) designer and user experience (UX) expert, to bring you these answers, along with some handy tech tips on how to get the most out of this phone display feature.
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Do all cellphones have a line at the bottom of the screen?
Almost all modern smartphones now have that little line at the bottom of the screen. All iPhones do, and virtually all Android devices do too. You’ll definitely find it on brand-name Androids from makers like Google and Samsung. In fact, if your device is still rocking a home button, that’s probably a sign that it’s time for a new phone.
The little line is more consistent across iOS devices, as only one brand makes iPhones (that would be Apple, of course). However, while virtually all Android phones have the line at the bottom of the screen, it may behave a bit differently depending on which make, model and Android version you have.
What is the purpose of this line?
It’s a navigation tool. As smartphone displays have grown larger, the protective borders, called bezels, surrounding the screens have shrunk. As a result, the physical home button that used to be located below the screen was replaced. The line at the bottom of your phone’s screen is what replaced it, and it now serves largely the same purpose: to minimize apps and get back to the home screen on your device.
Apple innovated this feature, and it actually goes back a few years. “The home indicator, as it’s called on iOS, was introduced in 2017 when the iPhone X launched,” Bardzic says. “Since that phone had slimmer bezels and thus no physical home button, there was a need for a UI element that would replace it.”
That little line has been the standard on every iPhone since 2017, and it didn’t take long for Android brands to also ditch physical home buttons for gesture-based navigation. “Google introduced a similar gesture navigation bar option in 2019 with Android 10,” Bardzic notes.
Along with replacing the home button, the little line allows for extra screen real estate, as the front of the phone doesn’t have to make room for any physical controls. This allows for larger displays and phones with a better screen-to-body ratio.
What are you supposed to do with it?
The home indicator bar (sometimes referred to as the navigation bar or gesture bar on Android phones) allows for gesture controls. Rather than pressing a button, you swipe upward from the bottom edge of the display to minimize open apps and return to the home screen. You can also swipe up and hold (don’t lift your finger off the screen) to preview your open apps and cycle through them. This basic function is the same on both iPhone and Android.
Like Face ID, its purpose is to make using your device a bit faster and more intuitive. There are some differences in gesture controls between iOS and Android, however.
“The biggest difference is back navigation,” says Bardzic. “Android will let you swipe from either edge, while in iOS you need to swipe right from the left edge in order to go back.”
Both iPhone and Android users can also use the home indicator bar to switch between apps. When you have multiple apps open, simply swipe right or left across the little bar, and you can cycle between them. It’s an especially useful iPhone hack if you’re a regular multitasker. Try it next time you’re juggling between apps!
Can you get rid of the line?
It depends. Admittedly, getting rid of the home button wasn’t a popular design decision with everyone, but big changes always bring out the skeptics. Some people may simply prefer the tactile feel of the good old home button. Unfortunately for iPhone users, there’s no way to get rid of the home indicator bar. It will automatically hide itself in most apps (as of iOS 26), but you’re otherwise stuck with it if you’re on iOS.
Android allows for a little more customization. “On most Android devices, you can still choose between gesture navigation and three-button navigation, with buttons for back, home, and overview of open apps,” Bardzic says. “On some devices, you even have an option for two-button navigation, combining a back button with a smaller bar.”
That means that if you’re an Android user, you can get rid of the little line if you want. This replaces the little gesture control bar with two or three buttons at the bottom of your touchscreen for navigating apps. Next, we’ll show you how to do it.
How to get rid of the line on Android devices
Not a fan of the line? Here are general instructions for how to get rid of it on Android devices. Because Androids have several manufacturers, your version may be slightly different.
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to System.
- Open Gestures, then select System Navigation.
- Select which navigation method you want to use.
Removing the gesture control bar could be useful for people who don’t find the swipe controls intuitive, or for those who simply prefer the older method of app navigation.
You may have additional options depending on which brand of Android phone you have. Some makers, like Samsung, put their own “skin” over the stock Android operating system. These custom interfaces often offer extra settings for customizing or hiding the home indicator bar for users who like to tinker.
And that’s all you need to know about that handy little bar at the bottom of your phone screen. Now, you’ll be swiping through apps and multitasking like a seasoned pro!
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece, Lucas Coll tapped his experience as a seasoned technology writer to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Ljubomir Bardzic, developer and UI/UX designer; interviewed, September 2025
- Apple: “Apple elevates the iPhone experience with iOS 26”
- Android Developers: “Android System Bars”
- Android Help: “Get around on your Android phone”
- Samsung: “Adjust the Home button settings on your phone”
