Modern Android smartphones, including popular Xiaomi models, offer users the flexibility to customize the interface. One of the first settings that owners of new devices change is the way they control the screen. In Redmi 10, which runs the MIUI shell (or the new HyperOS), the system partition is responsible for this, hidden in the depths of the menu.
Many users are switching to Xiaomi from other brands and are used to a certain location of the buttons or, conversely, want to abandon them in favor of modern swipes. The standard three buttons at the bottom of the screen (Back, Home, Menu) is familiar to everyone, but it occupies a useful display area. Changing this parameter does not require superuser rights or complex manipulation.
In this guide, we will go into detail about the process of switching between classic navigation and gesture control, where to find the right switches, how to adjust sensitivity and what to do if the control panel suddenly disappears.
Where to find navigation settings in MIUI and HyperOS
The MIUI shell interface may seem overloaded with a lot of promotional offers and unnecessary apps, but the system settings are logical. To get to navigation control, you don't need to be an engineer. All the necessary switches are in the standard Settings menu, which is always available on the desktop or in the notification curtain.
The main path is through the section responsible for additional system functions. Depending on the version of your operating system (Android 11, 12 or 13) and the version of the shell, the names of the items may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. You need to sequentially move along the path: Settings → Additional settings → Full-screen mode.
That's where the switch is hiding, which drastically changes the look of the bottom of the screen. If you're using Redmi 10 with an updated shell, the path can be slightly changed by the developers to unify, but a search for the word "navigation" or "gestures" at the top of the settings search bar will instantly take you to the right screen.
- 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- 🔍 Find the “Additional Settings” section (usually at the bottom of the list).
- 🖱️ Select the item "Full screen mode».
⚠️ Note: In some regions or on global firmware versions, the item may be simply called “Navigation” and may be in the “Screen” or “Desktop” section».
Difference Between Buttons and Gesture Control
Before you make changes, you need to understand the fundamental difference between the two modes of operation: Classic button navigation is a legacy of early Android versions that ensures maximum clarity of actions. On the screen, you always see three virtual keys: Back (left), Home (center) and Task Menu (right), which can be inverted in settings, which is convenient for left-handers.
Gesture controls, by contrast, free the lower part of the screen from graphic elements, allowing content to occupy the entire area of the Redmi 10 matrix. In this mode, you control the smartphone with swipes: a short swipe from the bottom returns to the desktop, a latency swipe opens the menu of running applications, and a swipe from the side of the screen simulates the Back button.
The transition to gestures requires a period of adjustment, usually taking two to five days, the brain has to rebuild muscle memory, but after getting used to it, many users note that one-handedness is much more convenient, since you don't have to reach the bottom of the screen if it's large.
Step-by-step instructions: how to switch the mode
The switching process takes seconds, and once you're in Full Screen mode, you'll see two main radio boxes or switches, the first one is usually called Buttons, the second one is Gestures, and you can choose from either one instantly, without having to reboot the device.
If you've chosen button mode, the system will suggest you to further adjust the order of the buttons, so you can leave the standard layout or choose the option where the back button is on the right and the task menu is on the left, and this is true for those who have the phone in their right hand and it's easier to press the left side of the screen with their thumb.
When choosing gestures, it's important to remember the basic movements. A swipe from the bottom up in the center is "Home." A swipe from the bottom up with a finger held to call the multitasking menu. A swipe from the left or right edge of the screen to the center is "Back." These movements should become automatic.
Suggestions of sensitivity and additional parameters
Navigation control menus often contain subtle settings that affect comfort of use, particularly gesture mode can allow for adjustment of the sensitivity of the edges of the screen, especially if you use a protective glass with thick edges or a case that partially overlaps the sidewalls of the Redmi 10.
If swipes from the edge of the screen don't work the first time or are called too often by accident, try changing this setting. Sensitivity increases the touchscreen to respond to lighter touches near the frame of the case. This can solve the problem of "dead zones" on the sides of the display.
Also worth paying attention to is vibration response. In the sound and vibration settings, you can turn on or off the tactile recoil when you press virtual buttons. For many users, light vibration is an important confirmation of successful command input, making smartphone use more tangible.
| Parameter | Button mode | Sign mode |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied seat | Approximately 40-50 pixels high | 0 pixels (full screen) |
| Speed of access | Instant (visual) | Requires finger movement |
| Risk of accidental pressing | Low. | Medium (needs habit) |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum consumption | A little less. |
The problem with the disappearance of navigation buttons
Often users are faced with a situation where the navigation bar disappeared suddenly and they can not go back or exit the menu. It is not always a system bug. In MIUI there is a feature to hide the navigation button-indicator, which is activated by a special gesture.
If you accidentally swipe a little bar at the bottom of the screen (the gesture indicator) up and hold your finger, the buttons could disappear so as not to interfere with watching videos or reading. To return them, you need to repeat the action: swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold your finger for a split second. The panel should appear again.
Another reason for the loss of controls can be a failure of the system process SystemUI. In this case, a simple reboot of the smartphone helps. If the problem persists after the reboot, it may conflict with a third-party application running with rights on top of other windows, for example, a blue filter or a memory cleaner.
⚠️ Warning: If buttons are missing in only one particular app (like YouTube or a game), this is normal behavior.
Use of a floating button (Assistive Touch)
For those who don’t like either the classic or the gesture version, Xiaomi has an alternative – a floating button, similar to the Assistive Touch in iOS. It is a virtual ball that can be moved around the screen and adjusted its actions: single press, long press or double tap.
You can activate this feature by Settings → Additional Settings → Floating Button. Here you can select the appearance of the button and assign it functions: backtrack, screenshot, start the voice assistant or open the notification curtain. This is a great way to unload the bottom of the screen if the physical buttons on the body of your Redmi 10 are damaged.
The floating button is always on top of all windows, which allows quick access to basic functions in any situation, but it is worth remembering that it takes up a small space on the display, which can interfere with games or when viewing photos.