Ubuntu’s default GNOME desktop environment doesn’t have a built-in option to auto-hide the top bar (also known as the “GNOME Shell” or “Top Panel”). However, you can achieve this functionality by using GNOME Shell extensions. Here’s how to auto-hide the top bar in Ubuntu using an extension:
Install GNOME Tweaks:
- If you don’t already have GNOME Tweaks installed, you can get it from the Software Center or install it via the terminal with the following command:
code
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks
Install the “Hide Top Bar” Extension:
- You’ll need to use a GNOME Shell extension called “Hide Top Bar” to achieve the auto-hide functionality. To install it, follow these steps:
- Open your web browser and go to the GNOME Extensions website: https://extensions.gnome.org/
- Search for “Hide Top Bar” using the search bar on the website.
- Click on the button “On/Off” toggle switch to turn it on.
- You will be prompted to install the “GNOME Shell integration” browser extension.
- Once the browser extension is installed, you should see a pop-up asking you to install the GNOME Shell extension. Click “Install.”
- Enable and Configure the Extension:
- After installation, you can enable and configure the “Hide Top Bar” extension using GNOME Tweaks:
- Open GNOME Tweaks from your applications or by running gnome-tweaks in the terminal.
- In GNOME Tweaks, click on the “Extensions” section in the left sidebar.
- Locate the “Hide Top Bar” extension in the list and enable it by toggling the switch to the “ON” position.
- You can further configure the extension’s behavior by clicking on the gearwheel icon next to it. This will allow you to set options such as auto-hiding delay, sensitivity, and more.
- Test the Auto-Hide Feature:
- Once the extension is enabled and configured, you should be able to experience the auto-hide functionality of the top bar. Move your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, and the top bar should slide down. It will reappear when you move the cursor away from the top.
GNOME Shell extensions can change with updates, so the steps provided here are based on the state of GNOME Shell as of my last update in January 2022. If you’re using a newer version of GNOME Shell or Ubuntu, the process may differ slightly.
