Where to find the menu button on Xiaomi Redmi phone: the complete guide

Users who first switched to Xiaomi or Redmi smartphones from other platforms often face an unexpected lack of familiar controls. In the classic Android scheme, which has been the standard for many years, there were three physical or touch buttons on the screen: Back, Home and App Menu. However, the modern MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS offer a more flexible but sometimes confusing approach to navigation, hiding these elements by default.

The question of where the menu button on the Xiaomi Redmi phone is not just a question, because the lack of a visible switch can be disorienting. In fact, this feature has not disappeared anywhere, it has simply been moved to the deep settings of the system or replaced by gesture controls. Understanding the logic of the interface allows you not only to find the missing button, but also to fully adapt the smartphone to your habits, making use of the gadget as comfortable as possible.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to return classic buttons to the screen, what is the difference between gestures and buttons, and also consider the hidden navigation features that not all owners of Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi know about.

The evolution of navigation in MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi

MIUI

With the release of Android 10 and subsequent versions, Google has urged manufacturers to switch to gesture control, which allowed to increase the usable screen area by removing the lower bar with buttons. In HyperOS, this trend is reinforced: by default, the smartphone offers swipe control, where the functions of the buttons are replaced by finger movements. However, for many users, especially with large smartphones of the Redmi Note series, physical or on-screen buttons remain a more reliable and familiar way of interaction.

It's important to understand that the absence of a visible menu button on the desktop is not a bug, but the result of the default system selection.The application menu button in modern versions of MIUI is often hidden in the center of the bottom navigation bar or replaced by a swipe up from the center of the screen.The system offers alternative ways to access, but the classic button can be easily returned through settings if you prefer the traditional interface.

How to return classic buttons to the screen

If you want to get back to the three- or two-button interface at the bottom of the screen, you need to change the way you navigate the system settings, which takes less than a minute, but it changes the experience of using a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone, and you don't need superuser rights or third-party programs, everything is done by regular means.

To start, open the Settings app and find the screen and control section. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the navigation item associated with the system, and there's a switch between gestures and buttons.

Select the buttons instead of the full screen mode, and then you'll see the same controls at the bottom of the screen instantly, and you'll see the back button, the home button (a circle or square in the center), and the menu button (three dots or stripes), and navigation will become predictable and tangible.

It’s worth noting that in some regions or on certain Redmi models, the path to these settings may be hidden deeper, and if you don’t find the right item in the main settings menu, search by settings by typing the word “navigation” or “buttons,” which is the fastest way to get to the right menu without having to go through the complex structures of the MIUI directories.

Configure the location and functions of the buttons

When you turn on the button navigation, you have the ability to fine-tune their behavior. Xiaomi allows you not only to turn on the buttons, but also to change their order, which is especially true for those who are used to the logic of iOS or older versions of Android. You can decide where the back button will be and where the Menu will be.

In the navigation settings menu, you'll see a schematic picture of the smartphone with three buttons. When you click on the appropriate item, you'll be able to choose from two main layout options. The first option is the Back button on the left and the Menu on the right. The second option is Menu on the left and Back on the right, and the choice depends on your muscle memory and usability with one hand.

• 🔄 Change of layout: Allows you to instantly swap the left and right buttons for maximum comfort.
• ⏱ Long-Tap: In some firmware versions, a long-term click on the Home button can trigger Google Assistant or clear memory.
• 👁 Hiding the panel: There is an option to hide buttons when they are not in use so they don't overlap content in games or videos.

Also available in this section is often sensitivity or vibration settings when pressed. Tactile recoil helps you better feel the interaction with the interface, simulating the physical keystroke. AMOLED-screens where visual response may be less noticeable at low brightness.

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If you often make mistakes when typing, try changing the layout of the navigation buttons – this can improve typing ergonomics with one hand.

Gestures vs. buttons: which to choose?

The eternal debate of Android users: which is more convenient, gestures or buttons? On Xiaomi and Redmi devices, this choice is especially acute, because the shell offers both options on equal terms. Gestures allow you to use the whole screen without restrictions, creating a frameless effect, but they require addiction and precision of movements.

Button control, in turn, provides a clear visual indication of the actions available. You always see where the exit is and where the task list is. For users with large smartphones like the Redmi Note Pro, buttons are often more practical, since full-screen swipes can be uncomfortable with one hand, and buttons eliminate the random triggers that sometimes occur with gestures.

On the other hand, gestures in HyperOS are very smooth and beautiful. Transition animations look spectacular, and control becomes more intuitive after the adaptation period. Swipe from the bottom up opens the app menu, latency swipe multitasking. If you value aesthetics and maximum screen area, gestures may be more appealing.

The final choice depends on your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you play mobile games a lot, buttons can get in the way, taking up useful space, and they are better to hide. If you are an active user of many applications and switch between them often, buttons provide faster and more reliable access to navigation.

Hidden functions of the menu button

Many users are unaware that the menu button (or the area where it is) can perform additional functions in a certain interaction. In standard mode, it opens a list of running applications, but MIUI adds some useful features. For example, in some versions of the system, a swipe up from the Menu button can instantly close all background applications, which is convenient for quickly cleaning RAM.

There is also the option of customizing the action with double-pressing or long-holding. Although standard functionality is limited, using third-party launchers or specialized automation applications allows you to expand these capabilities. You can assign the launch of a specific application, turn on a flashlight or create a screenshot of the action with the navigation button.

⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party launchers to change button functions may lead to unstable system operation or shell conflicts MIUI. Use these methods with caution and only from proven sources.

Another hidden feature is that you activate this mode, and the navigation buttons move to the bottom of the screen, making it accessible to the thumb, and you can switch to this mode through the control panel or by assigning a hot key, which makes using Redmi (big screens) much more comfortable in transport or on the go.

Button problems and their solution

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the navigation buttons disappear, stop responding or work incorrectly, this can be caused by a software failure, a freeze of the SystemUI interface or a conflict of a recently installed application. If the buttons are missing, first try to restart the device. 90% of the time this solves the problem.

If the reboot didn’t work, check to see if Full Screen mode is on for a particular app. There’s a list of apps in the screen settings where buttons are forcibly hidden to improve immersion. You may have accidentally added the messenger or browser you want to use. It’s also worth checking for system updates, as Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix interface bugs.

In more complex cases, when buttons react with a delay or “phantom” presses, it may be necessary to clean the cache of system processes. This can be done through the Recovery menu or using special cleaning utilities built into MIUI. Remember that aggressive cleaning of memory with background processes can sometimes disrupt the work of system navigation.

Comparison of navigation on different Redmi models

As you can see from the table, Xiaomi's approach varies by device class. Budget A-series models or older Redmis often retain default buttons for ease of use, while flagship and mid-budget models offer modern gestures immediately. However, regardless of model, you can always switch to the option that is convenient for you in the settings.

Don't ignore the ability to adapt the interface to your own needs. Getting the navigation right increases smartphone speed and reduces finger fatigue. Experiment with settings, try different layouts to find the perfect combination for your Redmi usage style.

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No matter what your Redmi model is, you can always switch between gestures and buttons in the “Additional Settings” menu -> “Fullscreen menu”.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)