Maybe I'm the only one in the world who navigation bar icons Android seems horrible. Every time I try to design a new interface, with new icons and wallpapers, I find that the navigation bar icons don't match at all. SoftKeyZ it is possible to change them.
In case anyone doesn't know, the Android navigation bar icons are the usual three Android icons, which were previously physical buttons on many smartphones, but over time, they've ended up being virtualized on-screen buttons. Until Android 4.4, these buttons were on a black background. With the arrival of KitKat, the buttons now appear on a transparent background, although only on the desktop. However, they're still very unstylish, even though Android has been introducing customizable icons. With SoftKeyZ We can change them. SoftKeyZ is an application found on Google Play and costs 2 euros. It has a series of pre-set icons, although we can also download some icons from an online download database, or even create them ourselves and upload them.
- The triangle is used to Go back.
- The circle opens the starting screen and you can invoke the Assistant with a long press.
- The square shows the recent apps to change quickly.
SoftKeyZ is an app that is only compatible with rooted smartphones. It's clear proof that root the smartphone It is essential for all those users who want to customize their Android smartphone to the maximum, along with The 7 best custom ROMsPerhaps the biggest problem is that it costs €2, but you have to keep in mind that developing apps takes effort and time.
Once we have selected the buttons that we want, we even have the option to save settings, so we can activate it later based on the interface design we've created. The best thing about the app is that it allows us to change icons without having to modify Android system files.
Change the order or hide the navigation bar (without root)
Android allows you to reverse the button order or directly hide the bar to use gesture navigation. On many phones, this is located in Settings > Display > Navigation barFrom there you can reorder the buttons or modify their style if the manufacturer offers it.
Some layers, such as Samsung, include “Full screen gestures” in Settings > Display, and in Xiaomi It's in Settings > Display > Full screen gestures. If your Android doesn't show these options, apps from Google Play like Navigation Bar (Back, Home, Recent Button) o Navigation Bar – Assistive Touch Bar allow you to change the order, size, color and add actions with a long press.
Advanced customization with apps
If you are looking for more visual control, tools like Single Control o Navigation Bar – Back Home Button Add themes for buttons, background colors, transparency, auto-hide after a few seconds and extra actions by long-pressing. Many offer real-time previews, so you can see the changes instantly before applying them.
With Navigation Bar, you can adjust the bar width, icon color, swap back and recents, and define secondary actions for long presses. It's a powerful free option, but with advertising more present than desirable.
Activate gesture navigation
The next step after virtual buttons is to use navigation gestures. In Settings > Accessibility > System Controls > System Navigation you can choose between 3 buttons, 2 buttons, or gestures. Gestures allow you to go home by swiping up from the bottom, go back by swiping up from the bottom, or swipe up from the bottom. any of the edges sidebars and open multitasking with a long swipe up. Gestures and buttons are not supported at the same time.
If you are interested in modifying the design of your Android interface, you may be interested in reading this article in which I explained how I customize the interface of my Android.
Google Play – SoftKeyZ.
If you are bothered by the navigation bar icons, now you know you can change, sort, or hide them: with root and SoftKeyZ for full control, with third-party apps without root to customize colors and actions, or relying on system gestures for a cleaner experience.
