Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users a high degree of customization, allowing them to adapt the device to their individual usage habits. One of the key elements of interaction with the gadget is the navigation system, which by default can be represented by either classic screen buttons or modern gestures. Many device owners are faced with the desire to change this setting immediately after buying or after updating the operating system, since the ergonomics of the control directly affects the comfort of operation.
With Android, which underpins the MIUI shells and the new HyperOS, the navigation is managed by a system component, but the visual representation and options available can vary significantly depending on the firmware version and region. Understanding how system navigation works allows not only changing the order of the buttons, but also completely abandoning them in favor of swipes, which frees up useful screen space and makes using a smartphone with one hand more convenient.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for changing the type of navigation, settings for hiding the indicator band, and solving common problems when the interface stops responding to commands. You will learn where the advanced settings are hidden, which are not available in all regions, and how to use the engineering menu correctly to fine-tune the behavior of the touch layer without risking the stability of the device.
Main types of navigation in MIUI and HyperOS
Before making any changes, you need to understand the differences between the available control methods. Xiaomi smartphones have historically developed three main approaches to navigation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of a particular type depends on the device model, screen diagonal and personal preferences of the user regarding tactile return and visual minimalism.
The first and most traditional option is to use three on-screen buttons, which mimics the physical navigation of older Android smartphones and includes the Back, Home and App Menu buttons, which are the most predictable buttons, since the clicking areas are clearly marked and always located at the bottom of the display, which is especially important for users with large smartphones who are used to a certain algorithm of thumb movements.
The second option that has become standard in modern versions of Android 10 and higher is gesture control. In this mode, the lower bar with buttons disappears, freeing up to 10-15% of the screen area for content. Navigation is performed by swipes from the edges of the screen: left or right to go back, bottom up to go to the desktop and bottom up with a delay to view open applications. Gesture control requires addiction, but significantly speeds up interaction with the interface after muscle memory is developed.
A third, less well-known type is the two-button control, often referred to as “one-hand mode,” and it is a hybrid where the Home button is paired with the Back button via a long press or swipe, and the third button is removed, a format that was popular on small-screen devices, but in modern flagships Xiaomi is rare and often hidden in standard settings, requiring activation through special codes or third-party utilities.
Step-by-step instructions for changing the type of navigation
The process of changing the way you control the current versions of Xiaomi firmware is as simple as possible by developers, but the path to the desired menu can vary depending on the version of Android and the regional binding of the device. The standard algorithm of actions is universal for most models, from budget Redmi to the flagship Mi and Xiaomi series.
To start, you need to open the main settings menu of the device, which can be done by finding the corresponding icon in the notification curtain or in the list of all applications. Next, you should go to the Additional settings section (in some builds it may be simply called "Advanced Settings"), This is where the parameters affecting system behavior, language, date and time, and navigation are concentrated.
In the list that opens, you'll find a item that might be called "Gestural Navigation" or "Fullscreen Control." In older versions of MIUI, this item could be inside the Screen menu. After you go, you'll see a switch or a choice of two options: "Buttons" and "Gesturals." If you switch the switch, the system will instantly apply changes, and you'll see how the interface at the bottom of the screen has changed.
☑️ Algorithm of Navigation Change
And it's important to note that when you switch to gestures, the system can offer a short tutorial tour showing you the basic swipes, and you shouldn't ignore that information, especially if you're moving from button control, because the logic is fundamentally different, and if you go back to the buttons, the system will automatically hide the gesture indicator, returning the usual look of the bottom panel.
⚠️ Warning: When switching to gestures, make sure the protective glass or film does not have strong roundings at the edges, which can interfere with the reading of swipes from the screen boundary.In some cases, this can lead to false positives or ignoring commands.
Setting the order and type of navigation buttons
If you prefer the classic three-button management method, Xiaomi’s system allows you to flexibly adjust their appearance and order of location, which is especially true for users who are switching from devices from other manufacturers (for example, Samsung or Huawei), where the “Back” button is by default located on the right, not on the left, as in pure Android.
To change the order of the buttons, you need to be in the navigation type selection menu, where you previously switched between gestures and buttons. The button image preview usually contains a link or button "Settings" (the gear icon). Going there, you will see the option "Order of buttons" or "Applause." There are two main options available here: the standard (Back button on the left) and the mirror (Back button on the right).
In addition, the button bar hide feature is often available in the same menu. Activating the option to hide the navigation bar allows the buttons to disappear when they are not in use and only appear when you lightly touch the bottom edge of the screen or swipe from the bottom up. This is a compromise option for those who want to see more content but are not ready to fully switch to gestures.
| Parameter | Description of function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Order of buttons | Changes the location of "Back" and "Menu." | Choose the usual option for speed |
| Hiding the panel | The panel disappears when inactivity is not | Useful for watching videos and reading |
| Tactical response | Vibration when you press the buttons | Include to confirm actions |
| Duration of concealment | Time before the buttons disappear | Customized individually |
You should also pay attention to tactile response settings. In the Sound and Vibration menu -> Tactile response, you can find the option responsible for vibration when you touch the system buttons. Enabling this feature adds a physical sensation of pressing, which increases usability, especially in conditions where visual control is difficult.
Hidden settings for advanced users
Control of the gesture indicator band
When using full screen, many users notice a thin horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen, which is a gesture indicator that tells them where to swipe to access the desktop, but this element can be annoying, overlapping content in applications or simply breaking the interface symmetry.
In gesture navigation settings, there is often a "Hide the indicator" switch, which removes the visual cue, making navigation completely hidden. Swipes continue to work in the same zone (bottom bar), but nothing visually indicates their presence, which creates a frameless display effect and increases the aesthetic appeal of the interface.
However, it is worth considering that completely hiding the indicator can lead to accidental activation of the multitasking menu if you often browse through content at the bottom of the screen.In addition, in some applications, especially games and video players, the system automatically hides any navigation elements, regardless of your settings, to ensure full immersion.
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If you have hidden the gesture indicator and forgotten how to go back, remember: a swipe from the left or right edge of the screen (approximately from the middle of the height) always works as a “back” button, even if the strip is not visible.
It's important to understand the difference between hiding the indicator and turning off the gesture area. You can remove the strip software, but you can turn off the swipe in this area without root rights or deep modification of the system. You can only completely disable the gesture area by returning to the button control.
Advanced settings via engineering menu and ADB
For users who lack standard shell capabilities, there are methods for deep navigation customization, which require caution, as interference with system parameters can lead to unstable interface operation. One way is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands from a computer.
By connecting the smartphone to a PC with USB debugging enabled, you can enter commands that change the pixel density (DPI) or force certain navigation flags to be activated. For example, a command to reset navigation settings to factory values may look like this:
adb shell settings put secure sysui_nav_bar defaultThere is also an engineering menu available through a set of special code in the "caller." Code can vary depending on the processor of the device (MediaTek or Qualcomm). Qualcomm often runs code ##6484#, and MediaTek - ##4636#. In the engineering menu, you can check the operation of the touch screen, which is useful if the buttons stopped responding to clicks due to calibration.
Using third-party apps from Google Play, such as Navigation Bar or Fluid Navigation Gestures, allows you to completely replace system navigation with custom navigation, which requires special permissions issued through ADB, but allows you to change the color, transparency, size and behavior of buttons beyond recognition, adding features that are not available in stock MIUI.
⚠️ Note: Making changes through ADB or installation of modified system APK-Files can disrupt the work SafetyNet/Play Integrity, which will block banking applications and Google Pay. Be extremely careful when experimenting with system partitions.
Solution: buttons are missing or not working
Often, users experience a situation where navigation buttons disappear, freeze, or stop responding to touch, which can be caused by a system process failure, a cache overflow, or a conflict with a newly installed application, the first step in such a situation should be a simple reboot of the device that solves 90% of software errors.
If the reboot didn’t work, try clearing the Settings app cache and the system interface. To do this, go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps, search the System UI list and select Clear Cache. Don’t confuse it with Clear All Data, as this can reset widget settings and the layout of icons on the desktop.
In cases where buttons are missing due to the activation of Full Screen mode in a particular application, check the settings of this application. MIUI has a screen extension function for individual programs, which can hide controls. Also make sure that do not activate Do Not Disturb mode or specific profiles that can block navigation.
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If the navigation buttons stop working after installing the update, try resetting the special features settings in the settings menu, as new permissions often conflict with older access profiles.
In extreme cases, if the problem is hardware (for example, the lower part of the touchscreen does not work), it will help to calibrate the screen through the engineering menu or contact the service center. Software methods are powerless if the digitizer of the screen in the area of the buttons is damaged.