Navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide to setup and use

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones offer users flexible control options, from classic virtual navigation buttons to modern gestures. However, many owners do not fully understand how to properly configure these elements, why they disappear or how to return to normal control. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances, from basic functions to hidden features that the manufacturer does not advertise.

Navigation buttons are not just interface elements, but the key to the convenience of interacting with a smartphone. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Default gestures may conflict with some games, but on Redmi 10A We'll show you how to avoid typical problems and adapt the control to your needs, whether it's the simultaneous use of gestures and buttons or completely disabling the navigation bar for immersive mode.

Particular attention will be paid to hidden button combinations that work even on a locked screen (for example, calling a voice assistant or quickly starting the camera), these chips are often ignored in official instructions, but they can significantly simplify the daily use of the device.

What are navigation buttons and why do they need them?

Navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi are virtual or physical controls that allow you to move between screens, go back and open a list of recent apps. MIUI They might look like:

• 📱 Three classic buttons (back, home, recent) are the standard for older versions of Android.
• 👆 Gestures (swipes from the bottom edge of the screen) – a modern approach that saves space.
• 🔄 Hybrid mode – combination of gestures and buttons (not available on all models).

For example, on Redmi. 9T Classic buttons are installed by default, while Redmi is installed K60 Pro out of the box offers only gestures. It's important to understand that the type of navigation you choose affects not only your appearance, but also your speed of switching between tasks and ease of use with one hand.

In addition to the basic functions, navigation buttons can perform additional actions for long retention:

• 🔍 Home button – call the voice assistant Google Assistant or Xiao AI.
• 📋 Recent button – quick transition to split screen mode (on supported models).
• ↩️ Back button – Closing the current application (if you hold it) 1-2 seconds).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) A1+) Long-holding back buttons can accidentally activate the mode for people with disabilities. To turn this off, go to Settings → Special facilities → Gesture management.

How to turn on or off navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi

Changing the navigation type takes less than a minute, but many users get lost in the menu. MIUI. Here is a step-by-step guide for all firmware versions:

1. Open Settings and go to the Display section.

2. Select Full-screen display (on some models – Navigation buttons).

3. Here you'll see three options:

- Buttons (classic three buttons at the bottom of the screen).

- Gestures (swipes instead of buttons).

Full-screen gestures (extended gestures that hide the navigation panel completely).

Redmi Note 11 Pro and newer may also have Gesture option MIUI — This is a proprietary implementation from Xiaomi, which is different from standard Android gestures. For example, swipe from the bottom up and hold opens Google Assistant, rather than a list of recent apps.

To return the buttons if they are Suddenly disappeared (disappeared after the update), reset the screen settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset Display Settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: If the navigation buttons are missing after installing custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), their return may require manual editing of the build.prop file.

Hidden functions of navigation buttons: what gestures can do MIUI

Branding gestures MIUI They offer more features than standard Android swipes. Here's what you can do with Xiaomi Redmi:

On the Redmi. K50 Gaming and other game models can customize gestures separately for horizontal mode. For example, swiping from the right edge of the screen in the game will be perceived as a Back button, not as a return to the menu.

Another little-known feature is the quick launch of the camera from a locked screen:

• 📸 Twice press Volume Down button (configured in Settings) → Screen locking → Quick camera launch).
• 🔒 On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) a gesture works: swipe down the camera icon on a locked screen.

Problems with navigation buttons and their solutions

Even on the new Xiaomi Redmi, users are experiencing navigation button bugs, and here are some of the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1. buttons do not respond to presses

• 🔄 Restart the device – often helps with temporary crashes.
• 🛠️ Check the sensitivity of the screen in Settings → Display. → Touch sensitivity (on some models, this item is hidden in Additional settings).
• 📥 Update the firmware: button bugs are often fixed in patches (e.g., in the MIUI 14.0.3. the bug with the "sticking" of the back button was corrected).

2. buttons disappear after update

This is a typical problem when moving from MIUI 12 on MIUI 13/14. Decision:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher (or) MIUI Launcher) and clear his cache.
3. Reboot your smartphone.

3. Gestures are not working correctly (for example, swipe back is triggered by accident)

On Redmi 10 and Redmi 9, this is often due to incorrect screen calibration.

1. Go to Settings. → System system → The phone.
2. Click 5 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
4. Find the Minimum Swipe Wide and increase the value to 10-15.

Check for updates to MIUI|

Clear Launcher cache|

Recalibrate the screen (in the settings for developers)|

Check the work in safe mode (exclude the fault of third-party applications)-->

⚠️ Note: If the navigation buttons are completely gone and not returned after resetting, this may indicate file corruption. framework-res.apk. In this case, only flashing through Fastboot or contacting the service center will help.

How to set the navigation buttons for yourself: advanced tricks

Standard settings MIUI They limit users to basic options, but there are ways to customize the buttons deeper:

1. Change of button order

By default, the buttons are arranged in the order: Back – Home – Recent. To swap them (like on an iPhone):

1. Install the Button Mapper app from Google Play.
2. Give him special opportunities.
3. Select the Navigation Bar and drag the buttons in the right order.

On the Redmi Note 11 and later, this functionality is also available through Settings. → Display. → Full-screen display → Tune buttons.

Addition of a fourth button

Using the same Button Mapper or Tasker, you can add an additional button, for example, to:

• 🔒 Quick lock-in screen.
• 📁 Open your favorite app (for example, Telegram).
• 🔊 Switching sound profiles.

3. Customize gestures for specific applications

For example, you can make YouTube swipe from the bottom up to open comments, and Chrome tabs.

1. Install Fluid Navigation Gestures (required) ADB).
2. Activate the developer mode and connect to the PC.
3. Follow the command: adb shell pm grant com.fb.fluid android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
4. In the app, set up gestures for each app separately.

💡

If you use a split screen frequently, double-click on the Recent button to automatically split the screen. This will save time when multitasking.

Navigation buttons vs gestures: what’s best for Xiaomi Redmi

The choice between classic buttons and gestures depends on the user's habits and the smartphone model.

On the Redmi 12 and other budget models, gestures may not work smoothly because of a weak processor, so classic buttons will be more reliable. K70 The difference in performance between buttons and gestures is almost invisible.

If you are undecided, try both options for a week. MIUI It allows you to switch between modes quickly without losing data.

💡

In the models with AMOLED-screen (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) gestures are preferred – they save space and reduce pixel burnout in the navigation bar area.

How to return navigation buttons after resetting or firmware

After resetting to factory settings or installing custom firmware (such as LineageOS), the navigation buttons may disappear or not work correctly.

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
2. Choose buttons instead of gestures.
3. If there is no item, update. MIUI Launcher via Google Play.

Method 2: Through ADB (custom-fix)

If you are using Pixel Experience or Havoc OS, execute:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and activate Debugging via USB.
2. Open the command line and type: adb shell settings put global force_fsg_navbar 1 (This will force the navigation bar to be turned on).
3. Reset the device.

Method 3: Editing build.prop

For experienced users:

1. Download Root Explorer or any file manager with root rights.
2. Open the file /system/build.prop.
3. Add a line: qemu.hw.mainkeys=0
4. Save the changes and reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Editing build.prop without backup could lead to loss IMEI or download error. Before making changes, back up through TWRP Or OrangeFox.

FAQ: Frequent questions about navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi