How to turn off navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi: from gestures to ADB

The Xiaomi Redmi navigation buttons are a classic MIUI feature, but many users are hampered by the use of precious display space. This is especially true on smaller-screen models (such as the Redmi 9A or Redmi Note 10), where every millimeter is important. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to disable them, from standard gesture controls to hidden commands for power users.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current methods (including ADB and system file editing) that work on MIUI 12-14. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights — we’ll separately specify the risks and alternatives. If you’re a beginner, start with the first section on gestures; if you’re looking for a radical solution, go to ADB or build.prop.

1. Standard shutdown via gesture control

The easiest and safest way to do this is to switch to full-screen gestures, which works on all Redmi models with MIUI 10 and later (including Redmi Note 12, Redmi 11 Prime, etc.), does not require administrator rights and is reversible in one click.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Display.
• 👆 Scroll down to Full Screen Mode (or Navigation Type in Newer Versions).
• 🔄 Choose Gesture buttons or Full-screen gestures MIUI (depending on the firmware version).
• 🔧 If necessary, adjust the sensitivity of swipes in the submenu of gesture settings.

Once switched, the classic Back/Home/Recent buttons will disappear and their functions will be accessed via swipes from the bottom edge of the screen.

• 🔙 Back: swipe from right to left on the bottom edge.
• 🏠 Home: Swipe up from the center.
• 📄 Recent: Swipe up with a delay or diagonal swipe.

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If gestures are not working smoothly, try calibrating the sensor in the Settings menu → Additional → Screen calibration (not available on all models).

2. disable buttons through "Developer Mode"

If standard gestures don't work, you can hide the navigation buttons through the developer's hidden settings, which doesn't remove the buttons completely, but makes them transparent, freeing up the screen space, and is suitable for MIUI 11-14.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate the Developer Mode: 🔧 Go to Settings. → The phone. 🔄 7 times press the version MIUI, until you have been notified you have become a developer!.

Settings

Additional → For Developers

USB debugging

Drawing

Minimum width

Minimum height

0.1dp

Developer mode activated | USB |Debugging enabled Checked current version of MIUI|A backup of screen settings-->

Important: this method does not physically disable the buttons, they will remain active but will become transparent. ADB-Teams (see next section).

3. Complete button removal via ADB (for experienced)

If you need to completely remove the system-level navigation bar, you will need to connect to your computer and ADB commands. This method works on all Redmis with the bootloader unlocked, but requires caution - the wrong commands can disrupt the interface.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi smartphone with debugging enabled USB.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux).
2. Check the connection command: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
3. Enter the command to disable the navigation bar: adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

To return the buttons back, use the command:

adb shell settings put global policy_control null

Standard gestures |Developer Mode |ADB-team |Edit build.prop |Not tried-->

4.Edit build.prop (root only)

This is the most radical method that physically removes the navigation bar from system files, only suitable for users with root rights and firmware backup. Not recommended for beginners!

Algorithm of action:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop and open the file in the text editor.
3. Add a line to the end of the file: qemu.hw.mainkeys=1 This command tells the system that the device has physical buttons (even if there are none).
4. Save the changes, restart the phone.

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Editing build.prop can lead to loss of warranty and unstable system operation. Always create a backup before changes!

If you have problems after editing (for example, a touchscreen is missing), return the original build.prop file from the backup or reflash the device.

5. disable buttons on specific Redmi models

Some Xiaomi Redmi models have unique navigation features, and the table below shows current data for popular devices (based on MIUI 14):

For Redmi models based on Android Go (such as Redmi A1 or Redmi 10A), gesture controls may not be available, in which case the only option is ADB or editing system files.

6. Frequent problems and solutions

When you turn off navigation buttons, users experience common errors, and here's how to fix them:

• 🔄 Buttons return after rebooting: Reason: MIUI Optimization resets settings. Solution: Turn it off in developer mode (Settings) → For developers → Shut down. MIUI Optimization).
• 🎮 Gestures don’t work in games: Enable Full-screen mode in the game settings or use third-party utilities like Game Tools.
• ⚠️ ADB Error "device unauthorized": Delete all previously confirmed RSA-Keys on the phone (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Access to USB) And reconnect.

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If after disabling the buttons, access to the notification panel disappeared, swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen - this is an alternative gesture in MIUI.

7. Alternative methods: third-party launchers and shells

If system methods are not suitable, you can use third-party launchers with gesture support.

• 🌈 Nova Launcher: allows you to hide the navigation bar and customize your own gestures.
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher: Supports full-screen mode without buttons.
• 📱 Smart Launcher 6: Automatically Hiding Navigation Panel.

How to set up:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Set it with the default launcher (Settings → Applications → Default).
3. In the launcher settings, find the Gestures section or Full-screen mode.
4. Activate the option to hide the navigation bar.

The advantage of this method is that root or ADB is not required, but some features (such as swipe back) may work differently than in standard MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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Before experimenting with navigation settings, create a backup through Settings → System → Backup. This will quickly restore efficiency when errors occur.