Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users a wide range of personalization options that go far beyond simply changing wallpaper. One of the most sought-after interface elements that many are eager to adapt to their habits is the navigation zone. The question of how to change the style of control buttons on Xiaomi worries both newcomers from other brands and experienced enthusiasts looking for maximum visual minimalism. The standard set of elements often seems bulky or simply not aesthetic against a bright screen.
Android has a few screen interactions in it, with MIUI or the new HyperOS, so you can use the classic three buttons at the bottom of the display, switch to modern gesture control, or even completely hide the navigation bar for immersion in content, and understanding these differences not only improves ergonomics, but also visually increases the useful area of the screen, eliminating unnecessary graphic elements.
In this detailed guide, we will look at all the ways to transform the navigation zone, we will look at the standard system settings, hidden features through the engineering menu and advanced methods of customization using third-party tools, you no longer have to put up with the awkward arrangement of elements or their appearance, as you will have full control over the interface of your device.
Basic navigation settings in MIUI and HyperOS
The first and most logical step for any Xiaomi smartphone owner is to learn the standard settings menu. This is where the switch allows you to choose between the outdated, but familiar to many button controls and modern swipes. To get to the desired section, you need to follow the Settings → Additional settings → System navigation. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be called simply “Navigation” and be located in the main menu of parameters.
The window that opens will offer you two basic options: the first is the classic buttons that can be placed in both the usual order (Back, Home, Menu) and inverted, which is convenient for left-handers. The second option is full-screen gesture control, which hides the bottom panel and frees up space. Switching between modes is instantaneous and does not require rebooting the device, which allows you to immediately assess the convenience of the new method.
It's worth noting that navigation choices affect sidebars and some game modes. If you choose gestures, the menu of running apps will be swiped from the bottom up with a delay, not a single tap, a fundamental change in interface logic that you need to get used to, especially if you've used devices with a physical home button before.
For those who are just moving to Android with iOS, gesture mode seems the most natural. The logic of moving completely copies the behavior of iPhones: swipe from the bottom to the main screen, swipe from the sides to go back. However, if you are critically important to preserve the visual style of the buttons, but you want to change their appearance, standard means of the system will not work, and you will have to resort to more complex methods, which will be discussed below.
Change of location and type of buttons
If you're not willing to give up the buttons, but you want to change the order or type of buttons, MIUI provides this. The navigation type selection menu often has the option "Order of the buttons." The default is a scheme where the Back button is on the left and the App Menu is on the right, but inversion is available in Asian versions of firmware and for users who are used to the old Android school.
Changing the order of the buttons is not just cosmetic editing, it's ergonomics. For right-handers, the Back button on the right might be more convenient for quick thumb access. To change that, you just need to select the appropriate item in the navigation menu, and you can also activate the vibration when you press it, which gives a tactile response that reminds you of the physical buttons of old smartphones.
Special attention should be paid to the function "Hide keyboard" or similar settings in the "Advanced" section. In some use cases, for example, when watching video or reading, the lower bar may interfere. The system allows you to temporarily hide the navigation bar, although this does not change its style dramatically.
☑️ Checking the navigation settings
It is important to understand that the type of buttons (square, circle, line) is strictly tied to the shell version and the theme. The basic theme "Standard" dictates its style. To change the graphical execution of elements, you either need to change the theme of the design in the "Themes" application or use third-party launchers that completely redraw the system interface, ignoring the system settings Xiaomi.
Using design themes to change style
The safest and easiest way to change the visual style of the control buttons without having to use complex code manipulation is to use the Themes app. The Xiaomi Theme Store contains thousands of designs, many of which include unique sets of system navigation icons. When you install such a theme, not only the appearance of the applications changes, but also the style of the Back, Home and Menu buttons.
To find the right style, open the Themes app and search for queries like "Buttons", "Navigation", "Minimal" or "iOS style." Note the preview of themes: often developers demonstrate how system elements will look. Once you install the theme and apply it to the system, the button style will change globally. Not all themes support changing the system navigation on global firmware versions (Global ROM), this feature is more often available in Chinese versions (China ROM).
If a standard theme store doesn’t work, you can use third-party resources such as 4PDA or specialized forums, where enthusiasts post modified themes that change system resources, and installing themes may require a Mi Account with a certain level of access or the use of special patchers in what is a more advanced level of system intervention.
⚠️ Attention: Installing themes from unverified sources can lead to unstable interface work or the appearance of banner ads. Always check the author's rating of the topic and reviews before installing.
In addition to changing the theme completely, some graphic elements can be edited through the built-in theme editor if it is available in your version. MIUI. This allows you to replace it. PNG-Images of buttons on your own, creating a unique style. However, the functionality of the editor is limited and requires initial skills in working with graphic files and the structure of the archives of topics.
Advanced customization through ADB and hidden settings
For users who want to gain full control over the appearance of buttons, including resizing, transparency, or forced inclusion of hidden styles, there is a method using the use of the buttons. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, which allows you to send commands directly to Android without the standard interface constraints. USB.
The first step is to activate the developer mode. → About the phone and press 7 times in a row on the line "Version" MIUI". After the notification “You became a developer” return to the settings menu, find the “More” section" →"For developers" and enable debugging by USB. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute a command to check the connection:
adb devicesOnce you've successfully connected, you can have commands to change navigation settings, for example, some hidden flags can be activated through settings. The commands can vary depending on the Android version, but the principle remains the same. You can change the density of the interface (DPI) to visually resize the buttons, or try to activate experimental navigation features.
Example of a command to change the DPI
Using ADB requires caution. An incorrect command can cause control buttons to disappear completely or become invisible, making navigation impossible without connecting a keyboard or mouse. Backing up important data before such experiments is a must. This method is only suitable for confident users who understand the risks of tampering with system files.
Third-party applications for navigation management
If you don't like the built-in capabilities of Xiaomi, Google Play apps come to the rescue to create an overhead layer of control. The most popular solution is the "Assistive Touch" or various variations of the "Virtual Assistant," which create a floating button on the screen that mimics or even extends the functionality of the system buttons.
Such utilities allow:
- 📱 Create a floating button in any part of the screen with a customizable design.
- ⚙️ Assign your actions to single, double pressing or long retention.
- 🎨 Change the transparency, size and icon of the control button.
- 🚀 Add quick access to frequently used apps or features.
However, this method has its drawbacks: a floating button overrides application content, which can interfere with reading or watching videos. In addition, such applications consume additional battery power and RAM resources, since they are constantly active in the background. The MIUI system can aggressively unload such applications from memory, requiring constant manual autostart configuration and energy savings.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Flexibility of setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard settings | Low. | Tall. | Low. |
| Design topics | Medium | Tall. | Medium |
| ADB team | Tall. | Medium | Tall. |
| Third-party annexes | Low. | Low. | Medium |
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If you use a third-party navigation app, be sure to add it to the “Start” list and turn off battery savings for that application in the MIUI settings.
Problem Solving and FAQ
Users often face a variety of challenges in changing the style of buttons. The interface can be unpredictable, especially after updating the system or installing a new theme. Below we will discuss the most common questions and problems that you can encounter when customizing navigation on Xiaomi smartphones.
One common problem is that buttons disappear after installing the theme. If this happens, try restarting the device in Safe Mode or resetting the theme to standard ones through the recovery menu (if the phone responds to gestures), and the problem can be in the version conflict: the theme created for MIUI 12 may not work correctly on MIUI 14 or HyperOS.
Another common question is performance: Does the phone's performance change when you use complex animated buttons? Theoretically, there's minimal load on the GPU, but on modern Snapdragon or Dimensity processors, it's invisible. Problems can only arise on low-cost models with low RAM, where every pixel and process counts.
⚠️ Note: If after changing the navigation settings, the phone stopped responding to touches at the bottom of the screen, try clearing the cache of the System Interface application. UI) via the application menu or reset settings to factory.
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The most stable way to change style is to use official themes from the Xiaomi store, as they are tested for compatibility with your firmware version.
Keep in mind that constant experimentation with system files and settings can lead to the need to reset your device. Always have an up-to-date backup of data on your Mi Cloud or computer at hand, which will allow you to quickly restore your smartphone to work in the event of a critical error.