Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS offer users a wide range of options for personalizing the interface. One of the first steps owners take after buying a device is to adjust the way they control the screen. Standard navigation with three buttons at the bottom of the display is familiar to many, but it takes up useful space and visually reduces the area of the displayed content. Changing these parameters allows not only to free up space for applications, but also to make interaction with the gadget more intuitive and faster.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to change the navigation bar Xiaomi, switch to gesture control or return the classic buttons. We will touch not only on the basic settings, but also advanced methods, including the use of engineering menus and third-party utilities for those who want to gain full control over the appearance of the bottom of the screen. Understanding these mechanisms will help you adapt Xiaomi to your style of use, making the device as comfortable as possible.
It is worth noting that the location of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system and the specific modification of the shell. However, the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for most current models, whether it is a budget Redmi or a flagship Mi. The correct navigation setting is the foundation of convenient use of the smartphone, which affects the speed of daily tasks.
Main types of navigation MIUI and HyperOS
Before we make any changes, we need to figure out what the system offers, and by default, most Xiaomi devices have three buttons activated: Back, Home, and App Menu, a classic approach that has been used in Android for years, providing clear visual indications of what actions are available and not requiring you to remember complex combinations of finger movements.
The alternative is gesture control, where the buttons disappear, freeing up space for app content, and navigation is done by swipes from the edges of the screen: from the bottom up to return to the home screen, from the side for a “back” action, and by pressing or swiping with pause to call the menu of running apps, a method that is considered more modern and ergonomic, especially on large screens.
The third option that is often overlooked is the one-hand mode. It doesn't completely replace basic methods, but adds a special floating button or reduces the screen workspace for easy thumb control. The choice of the specific method depends on your habits: if you move from an iPhone, you'll be closer to hidden navigation, and users of older Android smartphones may prefer to leave buttons. It's important to adjust the sensitivity and gesture direction correctly to avoid accidental clicks.
⚠️ Note: When switching to gesture control in some older versions MIUI The bar at the bottom of the screen may temporarily disappear, which is normal behavior in the system that is treated by restarting the interface or the device itself.
System settings allow for flexible combination of these elements, such as using gestures but allowing quick swipe-to-swipe between applications on the bottom of the line, and understanding the differences between system navigation and third-party launchers is critical, as the latter can overlap with standard functions.
How to turn on or off navigation buttons
The process of changing the way you control on Xiaomi smartphones is standardized and takes only a few seconds. All the necessary switches are in the system settings menu. To access them, you do not need superuser rights or a connection to a computer.
First, open the Settings app and find the "Advanced" or "Advanced Settings" section. In some firmware versions, this item may be simply called "System." Inside, you need to find the "Fullscreen" subsection, and that's where the key switches that control the bottom of the display look and feel are hidden.
☑️ Navigation switching algorithm
In the menu that opens, you'll see two main options: "Buttons" and "Gesturals." Selecting "Buttons" will return three virtual keys to the screen. If you select "Gesters", the buttons will disappear, and the control will go to swipes. The system will immediately show a preview of what the interface will look like, and offer a brief training animation.
If you want to completely hide the navigation bar, but leave it to a quick return, use the "Hide gesture prompts" option, which will make the bottom bar invisible, leaving only the swipe functionality. For users who are disturbed by visual elements, this is ideal. Remember, changing these settings is instantaneous, without the need to reboot.
| Parameter | Description of function | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Displays 3 virtual keys | For the classics. |
| Gestures | Managing swipes without buttons | For maximum screening |
| Hide the clues | Removes the indicator strip | For a clean visual. |
| Order of buttons | Changes the location of "Back" | For iOS users |
Customization of button location and sensitivity
One of the most useful features in MIUI is the ability to change the order of the navigation buttons. The default back button is on the left, which is typical for Android. However, users who have switched from iOS are often used to the return being on the right, the system allows you to swap them in places in one click, which makes it much easier to adapt.
In the same menu, Full Screen Mode or Navigation, you have the button order switch, and when you activate it, you mirror the panel, and the return button moves to the bottom right corner, and the app menu moves to the left, and this change only affects the visual location, without affecting the logic of other gestures.
You also need to pay attention to the sensitivity of the edges of the screen. If you use gestures, but swipes don't work the first time or, conversely, they happen too often, you can try calibration. Although there may not be a separate sensitivity slider in the standard menu, resetting navigation settings to factory values often solves the response problems.
Hidden navigation settings through ADB
Remember that in some design themes, third-party skins can change the appearance of buttons, making them transparent or changing their shape. If standard settings do not give the desired visual effect, try changing the theme in the Themes app. Customization of the interface is a powerful tool that should not be ignored.
Use of sidebar and one-hand mode
In addition to lower navigation, Xiaomi offers handy one-handed tools. The OneHandedMode allows you to quickly call frequently used apps or tools without interrupting your current task. This is especially true for owners of phablets with screens larger than 6.5 inches.
To activate this one, go to the settings and look for Sidebar (often under Additional Features or Special Features) and you can turn on a floating shortcut at the edge of the screen and click on it to open a list of favorite apps, a calculator, a screenshot, and other utilities.
One-hand mode can also be activated by triple-clicking the home button or swiping in a certain direction if this feature is supported by your firmware version. In this mode, the active area of the screen is compressed and shifted to the bottom corner, allowing you to reach the top of the display with your thumb.
- 📱 Sidebar speeds up access to messengers.
- 🖐️ One-handed mode prevents accidental palm pressing.
- ⚙️ Trigger setting is available in the special features menu.
Using these tools makes navigation more flexible, you can combine gestures for basic actions and a sidebar for quick application launches, creating a personalized environment where everything you need is at hand, regardless of the size of the device.
Hiding Navigation with Engineering Menu
For users who want to maximize minimalism and hide even the gesture bar where standard settings do not allow, there is access to the engineering menu, which requires caution, as it affects the system parameters of the display.
To get into the CIT menu, open the Phone app and type the combination ##6484##. In the test list that opens, find the item associated with the display or software versions (often called Version or Display). However, a more direct path to hiding interface elements often lies through the developer's settings.
adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*Executing this command through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to put the system into full immersion mode, hiding all system bars. But beware: this can make it impossible to leave applications in standard ways.
⚠️ Note: Making changes through the engineering menu or ADB Before experimenting, make sure to back up your data. Incorrect settings may require resetting your device to factory settings.
Standard methods MIUI usually do not allow to completely remove the lower strip without loss of functionality, so the use of third-party launchers or ADB-Teams are still the domain of experienced users, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you'd better limit yourself to the standard hidden tips in the settings menu.
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If your navigation settings are gone after the firmware update, check for updates for the Security and Themes app. Often, system components are updated regardless of the main Android version.
Solution: buttons are missing or not working
Users often experience a situation where the navigation bar disappears spontaneously or stops responding to presses, which can be caused by a failure in the system process SystemUI or conflict with the installed third-party launcher.
If the reboot didn’t work, check to see if Full Screen mode is on for a particular application. MIUI has a setting to hide the cutout and navigation in selected games and videos. Go to the settings -> Display -> Full-screen applications and make sure the desired software is not on the exception list.
Also, a crowded system services cache can be a problem. Cleaning the Settings and Security cache often returns the controls to work. To do this, go to Apps -> All Apps, find system services, and select Clear Cache.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to reset processes.
- 🎮 Check out the list of full-screen apps.
- 🧹 Clear the cache of system services.
In rare cases, the problem is that system files are damaged after a failed update. If nothing helps, you may need to reset to factory settings or flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool. However, in 95% of cases, simple checking of the display settings helps.
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In most cases, navigation problems are solved by rebooting or checking the full-screen settings for specific applications.