The interface of modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, has undergone significant changes in recent years. One of the first elements that a user encounters when changing a device or updating the system is the appearance of the lower part of the screen. The standard three control buttons — “Back”, “Home” and “Application Menu” — are familiar to many, but they occupy useful display space and can interfere with viewing games or watching videos.
Fortunately, developers have provided flexible tools for personalization. Not only can you change the look of the buttons, but you can also completely replace them with modern gestures, hide the navigation bar, or even flip the order of the buttons if you are used to the logic of iOS. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to control navigation so that you can customize your smartphone as conveniently as possible.
Before you make any changes, it's worth noting that the layout of items may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware, but the general principle of access to settings remains the same across the brand ecosystem. Let's look at the step-by-step algorithm of actions.
Where to find navigation settings in MIUI and HyperOS
Finding the right menu is the first step to success. In recent firmware versions, Xiaomi engineers have slightly changed the structure of system parameters, moving some items to logical grouping. You need to open the main menu of device settings, which is usually indicated by the gear ikon, and then the path goes through the Additional section, where the advanced system parameters are hidden.
And that's where you're looking for System Navigation, and you click on it, and you're going to go to the control menu, and you're going to have two options: you're going to use classic buttons or you're going to use gestures, and you're going to change the interface at the bottom of the screen instantly.
It’s important to understand that switching to gestures can take a short period of getting used to, especially if you’ve used other devices before, but after adapting, many users notice an increase in speed and a sense of seamless interface.
⚠️ Note: If you can’t find System Navigation along the path, search by settings. Type the word “navigation” or “gestures” into the search bar and the system will open the menu itself.
Some users prefer to use third-party launchers that can intercept navigation control. In this case, system settings may not be available or work incorrectly. POCO Launcher or system interface MIUI.
How to switch to gesture management
Gesture control is a modern standard that allows you to free the screen from unnecessary elements. To activate this mode, select the appropriate item from the System Navigation menu. The screen will instantly change: instead of three buttons, thin stripes will appear or disappear altogether, leaving only the possibility of a swipe.
The basic gesture logic is based on swipes from the edges of the screen. Swipe on the left or right takes a step back, swipe from the bottom up in the center returns to the desktop, and swipe from the bottom up with a delay opens the menu of running applications, which allows you to hold the phone with one hand without reaching the bottom corners of the display.
☑️ Checking for gesture readiness
It's worth noting that in some applications, especially games or video players, random swipes may not be desirable, and the system automatically recognizes such situations and temporarily blocks gestures or suggests hiding the indicator, making gestures safe and unobtrusive.
If you're new to this, the system can offer a short tutorial tour, and don't ignore it, because it shows you exactly where to swipe to do things, and it will save you time to find solutions in the future.
Customization of the appearance of navigation buttons
For those who are not yet ready to give up the buttons, flexible configuration of their appearance is available. In the same System Navigation menu, if the button mode is selected, there is often an additional link or Settings button (sometimes looks like a gear next to the mode selection), clicking on it, you will open a personalization window.
You can change not only the order of the buttons, but also their style. For example, in some versions of MIUI, the option “Order of the buttons” is available, where you can choose the Android scheme (three bars for the menu) or iOS (square for the menu), which is a trifle, but for many it matters when switching from one platform to another.
| Parameter | Description | Impact on experience |
|---|---|---|
| Order of buttons | Changes the location of "Back" and "Menu" | High (habit) |
| Hiding the lane | Removes the lower line when gestures | Medium (aesthetics) |
| Vibrant response | Tactile recoil when pressed | High (feelings) |
| Duration of pressing | Long-clamp setting | Low (functional) |
This section also often has a switch that allows you to hide the hints or the bar itself at the bottom of the screen when using gestures, which makes the screen cleaner and visually increases its area, which is especially true for models with a small diagonal.
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If you play mobile games frequently, turn on Game Mode in your security settings, which allows you to block random navigation button clicks and gestures while playing.
Hiding the navigation lane and additional functions
One of the most popular features is the ability to hide the navigation bar, which, even when using gestures, often leaves a thin gray or white strip at the bottom of the screen indicating the presence of a swipe, which annoys many users because it takes up space and breaks the symmetry of the image.
To remove this bar, look for a Hide hints or Hide the indicator in the navigation menu. Once activated, the screen will turn completely black at the bottom. However, remember that the lack of a visual landmark can be disorienting at first, and you will forget how to call the menu of recent apps.
⚠️ Warning: When hiding the navigation bar, make sure you remember the gestures firmly. Otherwise, you may be stuck in the app without being able to go back or to the desktop without restarting the device.
You can also find the option “Closing random taps” in the settings, which is useful if you carry your phone in your pocket without a cover or if you have a case with protruding edges that can touch the touchpad.
Button problems: why they are missing or not working
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the navigation buttons disappear on their own or stop responding to clicks, this can be caused by a malfunction in the system process SystemUI or conflict with a newly installed application.
If the reboot didn't work, check to see if Full Screen mode is on for a particular application. Each app's settings in the Additional section have Full Screen Mode. If it has a "Hide Notch" checkbox or similar, the system can forcefully hide navigation.
Also, the cause may be activated mode "One hand", when it is turned on, the screen is reduced, and the buttons may move or disappear outside the visible area. → One-handed mode.
What to do if the home button is missing?
In rare cases, cleaning the Settings app cache helps. Go to Apps → All Apps → Settings → Memory → Clean. This won’t delete your data, but will reset possible interface configuration errors.
Use of the Assistive Touch (Assistive Touch) menu
For those who are physically buttons or even ecan swipes uncomfortable, MIUI There's a "Assistive Touch" feature, which is a floating button that you can move around the screen and customize to suit your needs. → Support menu.
When you activate this feature, you get a translucent sphere on the screen, and you click on it, you open a menu with quick commands: screenshot, lock screen, launch voice assistant or simulate the press of the home button. This is a great alternative if the hardware buttons of the smartphone are faulty.
You can adjust the duration of the press and the action for the double tap, for example, double tap can start the camera, and long press can turn on the flashlight, which allows you to create a unique scenario for using the device that is not available in standard navigation.
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The auxiliary menu is not only a replacement for buttons, but also a powerful automation tool that allows you to start complex actions with a single touch.
However, it is worth remembering that the floating button can overlap the contents of other applications, in the settings of the auxiliary menu, you can change its transparency or adjust automatic hiding after use, so as not to interfere with the review.