Hide header in stack navigator React navigation

Controlling Header Visibility in Your Application

In a multi-screen React Navigation application, there may be numerous instances where you need to manage the visibility of the navigation header. The library offers various ways to accomplish this on a global or individual screen basis.

Make the Header Disappear Globally

If your design calls for a header-free navigation across all screens, headerShown: false tucked inside screenOptions is your magic trick. This method applies to React Navigation v5 and onwards.

<Stack.Navigator screenOptions={{ headerShown: false }}>
  {/* Screens go here and enjoy their header-free existence */}
</Stack.Navigator>


Header Visibility Control on Specific Screens

For instances when you only need to hide the header on a particular screen, you use the options prop directly on the Stack.Screen.

<Stack.Screen
  name="Profile"
  component={ProfileScreen}
  options={{ headerShown: false }} // Don't worry, Profile. You're free of headers now.
/>


Navigating Header Options in Earlier Versions

Using versions 2 to 4 of React Navigation? No problem. You just have to use header: null in navigationOptions to achieve a similar outcome:

<Stack.Screen
  name="Settings"
  component={SettingsScreen}
  navigationOptions={{ header: null }} // Hide-and-seek champion, right here!
/>


Definitely an elder, but matched in effectiveness, headerMode: 'none' removes headers globally in the earliest releases:

<Stack.Navigator headerMode="none">
  {/* "I see no headers!", said every screen here */}
</Stack.Navigator>


Dynamic Header Visibility with Conditional Rendering

A dynamic app may require you to toggle header visibility based on certain conditions or states. setOptions from React Navigation steps in here:

navigation.setOptions({ headerShown: userLikesHeader });
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Activate the function with user actions, API calls, or application state changes to provide a responsive UI.

Troubleshooting Navigation Setting Conflicts

While applying these patterns, make sure there are no conflicts between class-level (global) and instance-level (screen-specific) navigation settings. If you've defined global screenOptions and overridden them for individual Stack.Screen elements, ensure the correct options take precedence. Rest easy after thoroughly testing your navigation layout for potential errors or unexpected behaviors.

Staying Updated on React Navigation Features

To avoid potential navigation gotchas and streamline your UI, make a habit of checking out the React Navigation blog and GitHub commits. Get acquainted with the whys and hows of features like headerShown. Properties, methods, and components don't evolve in a vacuum, so adding documentation reading to your daily or weekly routine will pay off in the long run.