How to completely disable gesture control on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 3 working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9 with factory settings uses gesture navigation instead of the classic Back, Home and Recent buttons. For many users, this interface seems uncomfortable - especially for those who are used to a traditional three-button panel. In this article, we will discuss all ways to disable gestures on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models), taking into account the features of different versions of MIUI (from 12 to 14).

Important: the procedure differs depending on the firmware version and regional build. For example, in the global version of MIUI 14, the path to gesture settings has changed compared to MIUI 12. We will look at universal methods, as well as solutions for cases where the standard method does not work (for example, after updating or resetting).

If you’re faced with a problem that the option to disable gestures is gray and unavailable for change, there’s a section in the article with workarounds – including using ADB and hidden menus of the engineering mode.

Why users want to turn off gestures on Redmi 9

According to surveys of Xiaomi owners, about 40% prefer classic navigation buttons.

  • 🔄 Habit: Switching from buttons to gestures requires retraining, especially for users over 40.
  • 🎯 Accuracy: gestures are often triggered by accident (for example, when scrolling through the tape in social networks).
  • ⚡ Performance: on weak smartphones (like the Redmi 9 with a Helio processor) G80) Sign animations can slow down.
  • 🔧 Compatibility: Some games and applications (e.g. emulators) do not work properly with gesture navigation.

In MIUI, gesture implementation also has specific bugs, such as Redmi 9 with V12.5.3.0.RJCMIXM, users complain of unintentional folding of apps when swiping from the bottom edge, which resolves this problem.

📊 What type of navigation do you prefer?
Classic buttons
Default gestures
Gestures from iPhone (swipe on the bottom panel)
I don't care.

Method 1: Standard Disconnection through MIUI settings

This is the easiest method that works on most versions of MIUI 12-14. Instructions are relevant for Redmi 9 with global, European and Russian firmware.

Check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version

Close all applications (gestures may not turn off if background processes block changes)

Connect your phone to charge (recommended for stability)

-->

Steps:

  1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
  2. Go to the Display section.
  3. Select Full-screen Display (in some versions – Navigation Panel).
  4. Slip it on the navigation type.
  5. Select the Navigation Button option (or the Three buttons in the older versions).
  6. Confirm the changes by clicking Ready or Apply.

If the navigation button is inactive (grey), this means that:

  • 📱 Chinese firmware is installed on the phone (you need to unlock the bootloader).
  • 🔒 Active function Protection against accidental pressing (disable it in Special features).
  • 🛠️ Firmware modified (for example, custom Recovery).

💡

If the navigation type changes, no buttons appear, restart the phone. In rare cases, you need to reset the display settings to Settings → System → Resetting → Reset display settings.

Method 2: Disable gestures via ADB (for power users)

If the standard method doesn’t work, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) command, which is suitable for all versions of MIUI, including Chinese builds, where the option is hidden.

Warning: use ADB requires the inclusion of debugging USB And it can cause failures if you type in the wrong commands. MIUI 14 after application ADB-Commands may need to be rebooted to apply changes.

What is ADB and why is it needed?
ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a tool for debugging Android devices through a computer, and it allows you to execute commands that are not available in the standard interface. ADB You can: Manage hidden system settings; install applications without user confirmation; modify system files (root rights required); ADB You need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and Google’s Platform Tools package.

Instructions:

  1. Download and install Platform Tools on your computer.
  2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version to activate Developer Mode. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Redmi 9

Platform Tools

adb devices

The name of your device should appear.

adb shell settings put global force_fullscreen_output 0

Reboot the phone.

If you have left gestures after the reboot, try an alternative command:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.trheebutton

💡

After application ADB-Check if other display settings (such as font scale or color scheme) have been lost.

Method 3: Using Hidden Menus of Engineering Mode

On Xiaomi Redmi 9 there are hidden menus that allow you to change system settings without ADB. This method works even on Chinese firmware, but requires caution - incorrect changes can lead to failures.

Warning: Don't change settings you don't know what you're doing. For example, the engineering menu has options for calibrating the sensor and setting up the NFC module, which, if the values are wrong, can cause the device to fail.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Enter the code: ##4636### The Testing menu will open.
  3. Select the MTK Engineering Menu (for Redmi 9 with Helio G80 processor).
  4. Go to the Hardware Testing → Touch Screen section.
  5. Find the Navigation Bar Mode (or similar) setting.
  6. Set the value of 1 (buttons) instead of 0 (gestures).
  7. Save the changes and restart the phone.
  8. Clear the system application cache: Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. Find Launcher (or System Launcher). Select Storage → Clear cache.
Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting display settings

💡

On some Redmi 9 firmware, navigation buttons may disappear due to a bug with transition animation. Temporarily, disabling animation in Settings → For developers → The scale of the window animation (off).

Additional navigation settings on Redmi 9

After disabling gestures, you can adjust the appearance and behavior of the navigation buttons:

  • 🎨 Change the order of the buttons: Go to Settings → Display. → Full-screen display → Type of navigation → Select the order: Standard (Back-Home-Recent) or Reverse (Recent-Home-Back).
  • 🖱️ Set up sensitivity: In Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Touch and hold can be changed by press delay.
  • 🌗 Hide the panel in full-screen applications: Activate the option to Hide the navigation bar in Settings → Display. → Full-screen display.

Redmi 9 also has Landscape Gestures, which allows swipes to be used only when the screen is horizontally oriented, and it's convenient for gaming and watching videos.

  1. Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
  2. Activate the Gesture switch in landscape mode.
  3. Select the apps you want to use gestures for (like YouTube or PUBG Mobile).

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off gestures on Redmi 9

Can I turn off gestures on Redmi 9 without a computer?
Yes, if you have global or European firmware, use Method 1 (standard settings). If you have the option blocked, try the engineering menu (Method 3). ADB (Method 2).
When you turn off your gestures, the buttons don't appear.
Reboot your phone first. If it didn't work: Set a standard theme. Clear the system app cache (see section above). Reset the display settings. If the problem persists, check if a third-party launcher (like Nova or Apex) is installed - it can block the system panel.
How do I get my gestures back if I change my mind?
Repeat the steps from the Method 1, But in the final step, choose Gesture navigation instead of buttons. ADB, Adb shell settings put global settings force_fullscreen_output 1
My Redmi 9 doesn't have a full screen display. What do I do?
In some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12.5 for India), this item is called Navigation Bar or System Navigation. Also check: Update the firmware to the latest version. Make sure you don't have Chinese firmware (the option may be hidden in it). Try searching by settings (the magnifier icon at the top of the screen), type "navigation."
Can I turn off gestures only for individual applications?
Yes, but not through the standard settings. Options: Use the Fluid Navigation Gestures app (requires ADB). Enable Landscape Gestures (see section above) and add the right apps to exceptions. For games: activate Game Space Mode in Settings → Special Features → Playspace.