How to change the bottom panel on Xiaomi Android smartphones: from gestures to hiding buttons

The bottom panel on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most controversial elements of the MIUI interface. Some are used to the classic Back, Home and Recent buttons, others prefer full-screen gestures, and others want to completely remove the panel for maximum immersion in content. The problem is that the manufacturer regularly changes the location of settings: what worked in MIUI 12 can disappear in MIUI 14, and new features (for example, dynamic change of the panel) appear only on flagships.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to customize the bottom panel on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO Black Shark – from standard settings to hidden features ADB And third-party utilities, and we'll focus on models with AMOLED-screens where incorrect settings can cause pixels to burn out, and devices with a camera cutout, where the panel often conflicts with the display of content. MIUI 13–15 (including global and Chinese versions).

1. Standard settings of the bottom panel in MIUI

Starting with the basic features that are available without root rights or additional software, depending on the version of MIUI, the path to settings may differ, but the general logic remains. Most devices (Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 12T, POCO X5, etc.) need to:

1. Open Settings → Display.
2. Select Full-screen mode or System navigation (in new versions).
3. Slip on the navigation type.

Here you will be offered three options:

• 📱 Navigation buttons – classic three buttons (works on all devices, including the budget Redmi A-series).
• 👆 Gestures MIUI — Swipes from the bottom for navigation (recommended for screens with a ratio of 20:9 and above).
• 🔄 Android Gestures – a standard implementation from Google (suitable for users accustomed to “pure” Android).

Important: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Black Shark 5 Pro), an additional option appears in this menu Adaptive gestures, which automatically adjusts the panel to the running application. However, this feature often works unstable - for example, in games it can accidentally call the system menu.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a front camera cutout (for example, POCO F4 Or Redmi Note 10 Pro, when you select gestures, you might see a black bar on the left or right of the cutout. MIUI, which is corrected only by disabling the function Hide the cutout in the display settings.

2. How to remove the bottom panel completely (immersive mode)

If you're in the way of a transparent gesture bar, you can hide it in immersive mode, which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and newer, but has limitations:

• ✅ Completely hides the panel in apps (for example, in YouTube or TikTok).
• ❌ Does not work on the main screen and in the application menu.
• ⚠️ It may conflict with certain games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).

Activates like this:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
2. Select Immersive Mode (or Full Screen gestures in newer versions).
3. Enable the option to Hide the navigation bar.

To temporarily hide the panel in a particular application, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds. The panel will disappear, but will appear again when swiping from the bottom up.

3. Changes in button layout and style

If you have chosen the classic navigation buttons, you can customize them:

On devices with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K50) It is recommended to set transparency at least 30% to avoid pixel burnout (POCO F3, Black Shark 4) when changing the color of the buttons can be confused calibration of the display – in this case, the reboot will help.

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If you’re short on customization options in standard settings, try installing the “MIUI+ for Android” theme from the official theme store.It adds additional styles for the navigation bar, including gradients and dynamic effects.

4. Additional gestures for the lower panel

In addition to standard swipes, MIUI has hidden gestures that can be activated:

• 🔄 Double-touch – a quick two-click on the panel returns to the previous screen (analogue of the Back button). → Additionally. → Gestures → Double touch.
• 📱 Long-term retention – if you pinch the panel for 1-2 seconds, Google Assistant will open (configures in Settings) → Annexes → Assistant and voice input).
• ➡️ Side swipes - on some models (Xiaomi Mix 4, Redmi) K40) Swipe from the edge of the screen to the center causes notification panel or quick settings.

The double-touch gesture is especially useful for devices with large screens (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO M4 Pro 5G), where it is difficult to reach the top notification bar with one hand, but on some firmware, this gesture conflicts with the functions of applications (for example, on Instagram, double-touching likes a post).

To disable conflicting gestures:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Special Access → Do not intercept gestures.
2. Select a problem app (like TikTok or Instagram).
3. Turn off the permission to intercept gestures.

Make sure the swipe up opens "Recent"

Double-touch works like "back"

Long-term retention is caused by Google Assistant

Side swipes do not conflict with applications-->

5. Advanced customization via ADB (for experienced)

If standard settings are not enough, you can use ADB-This is a deep customization team:

• 🔧 Forced concealment of the panel in any applications.
• 🎨 Changes in color and transparency beyond standard options.
• 🔄 Sensitivity settings (for example, reducing swipe area).

First, turn on the USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Turn on USB debugging.

Now connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*


adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.status=*




adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.navigation=*

These commands completely hide the bottom and top bars in all applications, including the system. To return the panel, swipe from the bottom edge of the screen up and hold 2 seconds.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ If the screen becomes unstable after execution (shimmers, does not respond to touch), follow the command adb shell settings put global settings policy_control null and reboot the phone.

6. Third-party applications for panel customization

If you want more flexibility than MIUI offers, you can use third-party utilities.

• 🎨 Nacho Notch — allows you to hide the cutout and bottom panel, adds color customization and transparency, works without root, but requires permission to overlay.
• 🔧 Fluid Navigation Gestures - replaces standard gestures with smoother and more customizable ones. supports Xiaomi, but may conflict with some games.
• 📱 Edge Gestures – adds side gestures and customizable touch zones. Useful for devices with curved screens (Xiaomi Mix Fold 2).

Before installing, check compatibility with your model on the app page on Google Play. For example, Fluid Navigation Gestures does not work on the POCO X3 Pro with MIUI 13 due to manufacturer restrictions.

To avoid problems:

1. Make a backup of the settings in Settings → Additional → Backup.
2. Turn off battery optimization for a third-party application (in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Battery Optimization).
3. Reboot the phone after installation.

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Apps may conflict with system updates. After installing the new version of MIUI, check the functionality of gestures and reinstall the utilities if necessary.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the bottom panel on Xiaomi