Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi offer users a wide range of options for customization of the interface, allowing you to turn a standard device into a personalized gadget. One of the most frequently modified areas is the lower part of the screen, where the navigation buttons or gesture control area are located. MIUI or hyperos.
Many owners are wondering how to change the bottom panel on the android xiomy redmi to remove unnecessary elements or move the buttons to a more convenient place. This is especially true for those who are used to a certain arrangement of controls or use a smartphone with one hand. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available regular and advanced ways to modify navigation that do not require superuser rights.
To begin with, Xiaomi’s shell navigation can work in two main modes: classic button and modern gesture. Switching between them is the first step to changing the appearance of the bottom panel. However, the possibilities are not limited to simply choosing the type of control; users can change the order of the buttons, their appearance, and hide the panel completely in certain applications or on the entire screen.
Basic navigation settings in MIUI and HyperOS
Before you start making any radical changes, you need to master the standard functionality that the manufacturer provides. In modern versions of Xiaomi firmware, the navigation settings are put into a separate, easily accessible menu, where you can choose whether the bar with three buttons will be displayed at the bottom of the screen or swipes will be controlled.
To get to these settings, you need to open the main settings menu and find the partition that controls the screen. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system, but the logic remains the same. Usually just go to Settings → Screen → Navigation on the screen. This is where the key switch changes the behavior of the lower area of the display.
Choosing between buttons and gestures changes not only the look and feel, but also the logic of how you interact with the device. The button mode is common for many users who move from old smartphones, whereas gestures allow you to use the entire screen area without diverting space to virtual keys. It is worth noting that when choosing gestures, the bottom bar is often hidden, appearing only as a thin bar-indicator when swiping from the bottom up.
It is important to understand that changing the type of navigation affects system processes, so after switching it can take a couple of seconds to apply the changes. If you choose buttons, the system will offer additional options, such as hiding the panel when inactivity. This is a useful feature for those who want to maximize the useful screen space when watching videos or reading.
Change the location of the navigation buttons
One of the most common problems for new Android users is the unusual location of the Back and Menu buttons. Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi can default to an order you're not used to, and fortunately, you can change this in a couple of taps without installing third-party software.
The same navigation settings menu that I mentioned above has a button order option, and you click on it and you'll see a preview of the bottom bar where you can invert the position of the keys, which instantly changes the return button and the application menu button, making the control more comfortable for your motor skills.
☑️ Setting up navigation
Why is this so important? Smartphone ergonomics are key to long-term use. If the back button is far from your thumb, you'll be constantly reaching or intercepting the device. The right interface configuration reduces fatigue and speeds up work.
In addition, some versions of MIUI offer a feature to hide hints or change the transparency of buttons, which makes the bottom panel less visible visually by merging it with the background of desktops or applications. However, remember that excessive reduction of contrast can make it difficult to use the phone in bright sunlight.
Using Full Screen Mode and Hiding the Panel
Full screen mode is a feature that allows you to temporarily hide the bottom navigation bar so that the content occupies 100% of the display area, especially for watching videos, playing games or reading documents, where any distracting elements of the interface are undesirable.
Navigation settings often have a "Hide hints" or "Hide the panel" option, and activating this setting causes the buttons to disappear when you're not interacting directly with them. To call the panel, you just need to swipe a little bit from the bottom of the screen, which creates an immersive effect and visually expands the boundaries of the device.
Why can't the panel hide in games?
And you can also think of bangs or camera cutouts, and Xiaomi allows you to adjust the behavior of the status bar and the bottom bar depending on the notches in the screen, so you can choose whether to hide the area around the cutout with a black bar or allow the content to go under it, and this affects the perception of the bottom of the screen as a whole.
⚠️ Warning: When actively hiding the navigation bar, make sure you remember the gesture to call it (usually swipe from the bottom up). Otherwise, you may temporarily lose the ability to control your smartphone until you get used to the new logic.
It also allows you to hide the panel in specific applications through the settings of "Game Acceleration" or special profiles, which allows you to flexibly manage the interface: in instant messengers, buttons remain for quick access, and in the video player disappear for comfort.
Advanced Customization through Third-Party Launchers
If you don't have enough regular funds, third-party launchers come to the rescue, programs that completely replace the desktop and often offer their own navigation bars or controls. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher give you huge control over the look and feel.
By installing an alternative launcher, you get access to thousands of themes and icons that can dramatically change the view of the bottom panel if the launcher supports its controls. However, more often than not, launchers allow you to customize the dock bar (the bottom line with favorite apps), making it transparent, floating or resizing icons.
To install such software you will need to download APK-file or find the application in Google Play Market. Once installed, the system will ask you to confirm the default permission to use this launcher. MIUI customized.
| Parameter | Standard launcher | Third-party launcher |
|---|---|---|
| Depth of setting | Basic | Maximum |
| Stability | Tall. | Depends on the version. |
| Resource consumption | Optimized. | Maybe higher. |
| Integration with the system | Complete. | Partial |
Using third-party solutions is a great way to breathe new life into the device, especially on older Redmi models where the interface design may have become outdated.You can create a unique theme where the bottom panel will look like a widget or completely dissolve into wallpaper.
Floating navigation and special features
Android and MIUI have a feature known as the Floating Button or the Balloon, which is not technically a replacement for the bottom panel, but is often used as an alternative to it, and can move around the screen and act as home, back and menu buttons.
You can activate this feature via the Settings menu → Additional Settings → Floating Button. Here you can adjust transparency, size and actions with single or double pressing. This is especially convenient for devices with damaged physical buttons or for those who prefer control at the top of the screen.
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Use a floating button with the “One Touch” function to quickly take screenshots or switch between apps without taking your finger off the center of the screen.
In addition, the Accessibility section provides voice or gesture management tools that eliminate the need for the bottom panel altogether, such as shaking your phone or Google Assistant voice commands that allow you to navigate without touching the bottom of the screen.
For people with disabilities or just for those who like custom solutions, touch sensitivity is available, which allows you to ignore random taps on the bottom panel, which often happens when watching videos in a horizontal position.
Solving and resetting interface settings
Sometimes, after updating the system or installing new applications, the bottom panel may start to work incorrectly: buttons may disappear, freeze or overlap with other elements.
The first thing you should do is try to just reboot the device. It's a standard but effective procedure that restarts the SystemUI process, which is responsible for rendering the interface, status bar, and navigation bar. If that doesn't work, check for updates for the system itself.
⚠️ Warning: If the bottom panel stopped responding after installing a particular app, try removing it or running your phone in Safe Mode to identify conflicting software.
As a last resort, you can reset the interface settings. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, search the System Interface (or System UI) list and select Clear Cache or Reset, which will return the panel to its factory state without losing any personal data.
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SystemUI reset is a secure operation that doesn’t delete your photos or contacts, but returns the standard look of Xiaomi’s interface.
It’s also worth checking if Do Not Disturb mode or special profiles are enabled that can block the display of system elements.A careful examination of all active settings in the Screen and Notifications section often helps to find the cause of the strange behavior of the interface.