# prefersStatusBarHidden Specifies whether the view controller prefers the status bar to be hidden or shown. ``` var prefersStatusBarHidden: Bool { get } ``` ## Return Value if the status bar should be hidden or if it should be shown. ## Discussion If you change the return value for this method, call the [`setNeedsStatusBarAppearanceUpdate()`](/documentation/UIKit/UIViewController/setNeedsStatusBarAppearanceUpdate()) method. To specify that a child view controller should control preferred status bar hidden/unhidden state, implement the [`childForStatusBarHidden`](/documentation/UIKit/UIViewController/childForStatusBarHidden) method. By default, this method returns with one exception. For apps linked against iOS 8 or later, this method returns if the view controller is in a vertically compact environment. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)