How to Turn Off Navigation Buttons on Xiaomi Redmi 7: A Complete Guide to Risks and Alternatives

Xiaomi Redmi 7, with its classic design and touch-sensitive navigation buttons, is still a popular choice among budget smartphones. However, many users face discomfort: random clicks on the physical buttons “Back”, “Home” and “Recent” while playing or watching videos, wear and tear of the sensor over time, or simply the desire to switch to gesture control, as in the new Xiaomi models. In this article, we will examine all the working ways to turn off the navigation buttons on Redmi 7 – from standard settings to technical tricks with ADB.

It’s important to understand that Redmi 7 runs on MIUI (versions 10-12), where customization is limited compared to naked Android. Some methods will require superuser rights (root), others will require computer connections. We will describe each option in detail, its pros and cons, and also warn about possible irreversible changes in system files that can lead to failures. If you are not ready for experiments, consider alternatives like setting up insensitivity zones or using shells like Nova Launcher.

Why users want to turn off navigation buttons on Redmi 7

The reasons range from aesthetic to practical, and here are the most common scenarios:

• 🎮 Players: buttons interfere with dynamic games (e.g., in the game) PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty, where touching the edges of the screen is critical.
• 📺 Video viewers: when viewing in landscape orientation, the fingers constantly touch the sensors, causing random actions.
• 🔄 Gesture habit: users who switched from new smartphones (for example, Redmi Note 10), want to return to the usual management of swipes.
• 🛠️ Physical wear and tear: Over time, sensors start to fire on their own or require a stronger push.

According to surveys on the 4PDA and Mi Community forums, about 30% of Redmi 7 owners have tried to disable navigation buttons at least once, but not everyone knows that a complete shutdown without consequences is possible only on an unlocked bootloader or using ADB. In the following sections, we will discuss all available methods from the simplest to the most risky.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (without root)

The safest, but also the most limited, method: The standard Redmi 7 firmware doesn't have a direct option to turn off buttons, but you can hide them visually and reassign functions to gestures, which doesn't remove the physical response of sensors, but makes them less visible and intrusive.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
2. Select Full-screen gestures (if available) or Full-screen navigation buttons.
3. Activate Hide Navigation Buttons (some versions of MIUI call Auto Hide).
4. Return to Settings → Additional → Gestures and set up swipes for returns, opening menus, etc.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ The buttons will remain active – you can press them by swiping your finger on the bottom edge of the screen.
• ❌ It doesn’t work in some apps (for example, YouTube buttons may reappear).
• ❌ Visually, buttons can appear when scrolling or in landscape mode.

Method 2: Using ADB to turn off sensors (advanced)

If you need to completely deactivate touch buttons, you will need to connect to your computer and command ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require root, but changes the system settings, which can lead to unstable phone operation. Once the commands are executed, the buttons will no longer respond to touch, but their image will remain on the screen.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect Redmi 7 to your computer via USB-Cable (original!) and select File Transfer Mode.
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
5. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and type:

adb devices

(Should show a device with a serial number. If not, check the drivers or cable.)

adb shell


settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space"

To return the buttons, use:

settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "buttons"

Warnings:

⚠️ Warning: After completing the commands, the bottom notification bar may disappear. To return it, restart the phone or enter it:

settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "buttons"

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI This command blocks access to recent apps. To open them, use a swipe up gesture with a delay.

Method 3: Completely disable via build.prop editing (requires root)

This method involves changing the build.prop system file, which is only possible on a phone with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed or other root solution.The risk is high: improper editing can lead to a bootloop.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop and back up the file.
3. Open the file in the text editor and add at the end of the line:

qemu.hw.mainkeys=1

Save the changes, reboot the phone, and the navigation buttons should disappear, and instead, you'll be able to use gestures.

Possible problems and solutions:

💡

Before editing build.prop, check it for strings. ro.miui.has_real_bl=1. If there is one, your bootloader is unlocked and the risk of system damage is lower.

Alternative solutions: if you can not turn off the buttons

If none of these methods worked or you are not willing to risk the stability of your phone, consider the alternatives:

• 🔧 Insensitivity Zones: In some versions MIUI You can set "dead zones" at the edges of the screen through Settings → Special facilities → Touch and retention.
• 🎨 Change Launcher: Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair – these let you hide the navigation bar in some modes.
• 🛡️ Protective film: Sticker matte film with a cutout under the buttons will reduce accidental pressing.
• 🔄 Update MIUI: In the new versions (MIUI 12+) You've got better gesture support. Check the Settings update. → The phone. → Updating the system.

If your goal is gesture control, but you can’t turn off the buttons, try the Fluid Navigation Gestures app (requires you to use it). ADB It emulates swipes on top of standard buttons without physically turning them off.

💡

Before using third-party gesture apps, check their compatibility with MIUI on forums. Some solutions (such as the Xposed Framework) conflict with Xiaomi system services.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users experience typical problems when trying to disable buttons on Redmi 7.

1. ADB doesn't see the device: Most often this is due to the lack of drivers or blocking debugging in MIUI. The solution is to install the Mi PC Suite and manually allow debugging when connected.
2. The buttons are gone, but the gestures don’t work: In MIUI, you need to activate gesture control separately in Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
3. After editing build.prop, the phone freezes: This means the file is saved with an error. Restore it via TWRP or reflash the phone.
4. Sensors continue to work: Some versions of MIUI require a combination of techniques (ADB + build.prop editing).

If you are experiencing bootloop (infinite download), don’t panic:

⚠️ Warning: To exit the bootloop, pinch the power supply + Volume up for 10 seconds to reboot in Fastboot. from there you can flash the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions