Finally I solved the problem with the bars. Although I called the Java method to hide the bars they seemed to ignore the command. The problem was that I must call the hide() method after the application signaled that it is active. Every time the application becomes active the hide() method must be called. Additionally in the Android resource tree the file themes.xml must not contain any control statements for the system bars. My new themes.xml looks like this now: <resources> <!-- base set of styles that apply to all versions --> <style name="TPanelAppTheme" parent="@android:style/Theme.DeviceDefault"> </style> <!-- declare the theme name that's actually applied in the manifest file --> <style name="TPanelAppTheme.NoActionBar"> </style> <style name="Tpanel_settings" parent="Theme.AppCompat"> </style> </resources> Everything else is controlled by code. Hope this helps someone. A.T.