How to permanently disable swipe search up on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Why Swipe Up on Xiaomi annoys users and how to fix it

The swipe gesture up from the bottom edge of the screen on Xiaomi smartphones has been introduced as a convenient way to quickly access Google search or built-in search. MIUI. However, for many users, this gesture has become a source of constant irritation: accidental triggers while scrolling through the tape in social networks, interruption of games or inconvenience when using one hand.+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5, where the gesture is easily touched.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to disable swipe up on Xiaomi devices running MIUI 12-15 (including global and Chinese firmware) You will learn how to remove this gesture through standard settings, using the help of the app. ADB-What to do if the option is hidden in your version MIUI. Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or developer rights – we’ll explain in detail how to activate them without risking the device.

Before you start settings, check your firmware version in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI version. This will help you avoid errors: for example, in MIUI 14 for the European region, the path to disabling the gesture is different from the Chinese version.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (the easiest)

If your smartphone is running MIUI 13/14/15 (global or European), the most reliable way is to use the built-in system settings.This method does not require root rights and is suitable for most models, including the Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 12T.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings and go to the Home Screen section.
  2. Select Home Screen Settings (or Additional Settings in some firmware).
  3. Find the option to swipe up (can be called Search Gesture or Quick Search).
  4. Turn the slider to the off position. or uncheck the tick.

If you don't have one on your menu, you've modified the firmware (e.g., the Chinese version of MIUI without Google services), and then try method 2 or 3.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for deactivation of the gesture

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Use of the ADB-commands (for hidden options)

On some firmware (especially Chinese or custom), the option to turn off swipe up is hidden, in which case ADB (Android Debug Bridge) – a tool for debugging Android devices – will help, the method works on all Xiaomi models, but requires a connection to a computer.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. Activate Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings β†’ About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
  3. Return to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ For developers and enable USB debugging.
  4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac) and type:
adb shell settings put secure swipe_up_to_search_enabled 0

Once you've done the command, restart the device. The swipe gesture will be turned off. To return it, use the same command, replacing 0 with 1.

πŸ’‘

If the command fails, try the alternative: adb shell settings put global. swipe_up_to_search_enabled 0. In some firmware, the setting is stored in global parameters.

Method 3: Disconnect via launcher settings (for POCO Launcher)

POCO line devices (such as the POCO X4 Pro or POCO F4 GT) often use the proprietary launcher POCO Launcher, where the swipe setting is placed on a separate menu. This method does not require ADB and works even on locked downloaders.

How to turn it off:

  • πŸ“± Press the free space on the home screen and select the Home Screen Settings.
  • πŸ” Go to the Gestures or Additional Gestures section.
  • βš™οΈ Find the Swipe Search up and deactivate it.
  • πŸ”„ Restart the launcher (or phone) to make changes effective.

If you use a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion), the swipe up is managed directly in its settings, in which case the problem is solved without interfering with the system settings of the MIUI.

πŸ“Š What kind of launcher are you using on Xiaomi?
Standard MIUI Launcher
POCO Launcher
Nova Launcher
Other third-party
I don't know.

Method 4: Editing system files (for advanced users)

This method is only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP or Magisk installed. It allows you to permanently remove the swipe function upwards by editing system files, but requires caution - incorrect actions can lead to a bootloop ( looped boot).

Instructions:

  1. Install a file manager with root access (such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer).
  2. Go to /system/usr/keylayout and find the Generic.kl file.
  3. Open the file in the text editor and find the string with the key 158 (responsible for swipe processing).
  4. Comment on the line by adding # to the beginning or delete it completely.
  5. Save the changes, set the rights 644 and restart the device.
What if the phone doesn’t turn on after editing?
If the device does not boot after changes to system files, try to go to TWRP and restore a backup of the /system partition. If there is no backup, reflash the phone via Fastboot using the official firmware from Xiaomi.

Note: editing system files without backup can lead to data loss, a method only recommended for advanced users.

Method 5: Using third-party applications (without root)

If you don’t want to dig into settings or connect ADB, you can use third-party gesture-blocking utilities, such as Fluid Navigation Gestures or Edge Gestures, which lets you override a swipe upwards to another action or disable it completely.

How to set up:

  • πŸ“² Install Edge Gestures from Google Play.
  • 🎯 Launch the application and grant permission for Special Features.
  • πŸ–₯️ Create a new gesture by selecting the area at the bottom of the screen.
  • ❌ As an action, choose Do Nothing or Block a gesture.

The advantage of this method is flexibility: you can not only turn off the swipe up, but also reassign it to run another application (for example, opening Google Assistant or Yandex.Search).

πŸ’‘

The side of the gesture blocking app may conflict with MIUI system processes. If lags appear after installation, try disabling battery optimization for the utility in the settings.

What to do if the swipe up does not turn off?

Sometimes, even after all the methods are used, the gesture continues to work, and this may be due to:

  • πŸ”„ Cached settings - try clearing the launcher cache in Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management β†’ Launcher β†’ Warehouse β†’ Clear the cache.
  • πŸ“± Update MIUI β€” After the firmware update, the settings may reset.
  • πŸ› οΈ Conflict with other gestures – for example, if you have Full-screen control enabled in Settings β†’ Screen.

If the problem persists, reset the launcher settings:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Find the MIUI Launcher (or POCO Launcher).
  3. Click Warehouse β†’ Reset settings.

This will return the launcher to factory settings, but will not affect your data or installed applications.

Comparison of methods of disabling swipe up on Xiaomi

MethodDifficultyRequired. root/ADBSupported firmwareRisk to the system
Through MIUI settings⭐❌ No.MIUI 12-15 (Global)Absent.
ADB-teamβ­β­βœ… ADBAny (including Chinese)Minimum
POCO Launcher⭐❌ No.Only POCO-deviceAbsent.
Editing system filesβ­β­β­β­βœ… Root + TWRPAny (with unlocked bootloader)High (bootloop risk)
Party of annex⭐⭐❌ No.Any (Android 8+)Low (possible lags)

For most users, the best solution is method 1 or 2. If you do not want to take risks, start with the MIUI settings, and if the option is not available, use ADB. Methods with root access are recommended only in case of emergency.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off swipe up on Xiaomi

❓ After the swipe was turned off, Google Assistant stopped working?
Google Assistant is the default swipe gesture from the corners of the screen. To return it: Open Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Default β†’ Assistant and Voice Input. Select Google as the default app. Activate Google Assistant in the gesture settings (System gesture section). If the gesture still doesn't work, install Google App from Play Market and update Google services.
❓ Can you turn off the swipe up only on a locked screen?
Yes, in some firmware (e.g., in some firmware, MIUI 14 Xiaomi 13) There's a separate setting for gestures on the locked screen. To find it, go to Settings. β†’ Lock screen. Select Additional settings. Find Gestures on locked screen and turn off Swipe Search up. If you don't have that option, use the method. 2 (ADB) Adb shell settings put secure swipe_up_to_search_lockscreen_enabled 0
❓ Why After Updating MIUI swipe up again?
Large updates (e.g. with the MIUI 13 on MIUI 14) some settings are reset to factory settings, which is because Xiaomi is reallocating system settings to avoid the gesture being re-enacted: πŸ“Œ After the update, immediately check the launcher settings and gestures. πŸ”§ If you use ADB, repeat the shutdown command. πŸ“± Install MacroDroid app to automatically disable gesture after updates.
❓ Is there a way to turn off swipe up only in certain applications?
Yes, but it will require third-party software. Tasker or MacroDroid lets you create rules to block gestures in selected programs, such as to make sure that swipe up does not work on Instagram or TikTok: Install MacroDroid and grant permissions for Special features. Create a new macro command with the condition Launched application β†’ Instagram.Add the action Block gestures β†’ Swipe up. Save and activate macros. Limit: This method may not work in overlay-protected games (e.g., overlay-protection games, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
❓ How to Remove Search Strips from Home Screen?
Google search bar or MIUI Search on the home screen is a separate widget. To remove it: Press the search bar with your finger and drag it up to Remove. If the widget doesn't get deleted, go to Launcher Settings. β†’ Widgets and disable Google Search or MIUI Search. To completely remove system search MIUI use ADB-Command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.search Attention: This command will remove search MIUI Only for your user profile. System files will remain intact.