[Bug]: SystemBars - Bottom tab bar has additional 'space'

[rossholdway]

Capacitor Version

I'm running the latest version of Capacitor, specifically 8.3.0. Pretty sure this also happens on 8.2.0 as well.

Other API Details

Platforms Affected

• iOS
• Android
• Web

Current Behavior

I have noticed additional 'space' under my tab bar on SDK < 35, matching the height of the swipe gesture / Android navigation space. The webview ends at the bottom of my tab bar, so it's something additional that's being set by Capacitor - as though the webview does not extend fully to the end of the screen.

SDK 35+ edge-to-edge works perfectly!

I am only using the new SystemBars. I don't have the StatusBar plugin installed.

SDK 31 ❌ (unexpected space)

SDK 34 ❌ (unexpected space)

SDK 35 ✅ (works as expected)

Expected Behavior

I'd expect the tab bar to finish just above the gesture / Android navigation area, like it used to for Capacitor 7.

Capacitor 7 example (SDK 31)

Project Reproduction

https://github.com/rossholdway/capacitor-8-system-bars-bug

Additional Information

No response

[ionitron-bot]

This issue needs more information before it can be addressed. In particular, the reporter needs to provide a minimal sample app that demonstrates the issue. If no sample app is provided within 7 days, the issue will be closed.
Please see the Contributing Guide for how to create a Sample App.
Thanks! Ionitron 💙

[rossholdway]

Hi. I've added a reproduction in an Ionic tabs starter template - https://github.com/rossholdway/capacitor-8-system-bars-bug