Budget smartphone owners often face a desire to personalize the interface to make the use of the gadget as comfortable as possible. Xiaomi Redmi 9 can initially install modern but unusual navigation gestures, which many users want to replace with classic buttons. The process of changing the type of navigation takes only a few seconds and does not require obtaining superuser rights or complex manipulation of system files.
Changing the way you control a device directly affects the ergonomics of your device, especially if you are used to a particular arrangement of interface elements. The Android system in the MIUI shell provides flexible tools for setting up, allowing you to choose between three dots at the bottom of the screen or swipes. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available configuration options, including hidden button position settings.
Before you make any changes, make sure your screen is unlocked and you’re on the desktop. On Redmi 9 with global firmware, the settings menu may be slightly different from the Chinese version of MIUI. We’ll look at universal pathways relevant to most regions so you can quickly adapt your smartphone to your habits.
Differences between gestures and navigation buttons
Modern interfaces tend to be minimalist, removing unnecessary elements from the screen to increase the useful area of the display. Navigation gestures allows you to hide the bottom panel, freeing up space for content, but requires getting used to new finger movements. Classic buttons, on the contrary, provide a visual guide and tactile confidence in actions, which is especially important for users who are moving from older models.
Technically, switching between these modes only changes the programming layer of the interface display, without affecting processor performance or battery consumption. Full-screen gesture mode is often perceived as more modern, but it deprives the user of the ability to quickly see which applications are running in the background with one glance at the bottom panel. Buttons always show active tasks and allow you to instantly curl the current window.
The choice of control method is a matter of personal taste, but it is worth considering the diagonal of the screen of your device. On the 6.53-inch display of the Redmi 9, reaching the corners for swipe can be uncomfortable with one hand, while the buttons are located in the reach of the thumb. Below is a comparison of the main characteristics of both methods for ease of choice.
| Characteristics | Navigation buttons | Control gestures |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied seat | The strip at the bottom of the screen | Just a thin strip. |
| Adjustment rate | Instant. | It takes time. |
| Convenience with one hand | High. | Average. |
| Visual style | Classical. | Modern. |
Step-by-step instructions for changing the type of navigation
To change the way you manage, you'll need access to the main operating system settings menu. The MIUI 12 or more newer version installed on Redmi 9 is logically structured, so finding the right item will not take much time, even for beginners. The main thing is to consistently navigate through sections without skipping the nested menus.
Open the Settings app and find the section that displays and operates the system. Depending on the version of the interface language, this item may be called differently, but its location remains standard. Once you log in, you will see an option that allows you to choose your preferred navigation method.
☑️ Algorithm of action
Follow this algorithm further:
- 🔘 Click on the gear icon to enter your smartphone settings.
- 📱 In the list that opens, find and select the Screen section (sometimes it may be called Display»).
- ⚙️ Scroll down to the navigation system or screen navigation block».
- ✅ Set the switch to the button or gesture position depending on your preferences.
Once selected, the system will instantly apply the changes, and you will see the result on the desktop. If you select buttons, a panel with three or two controls will appear at the bottom of the screen. Some firmware versions also suggest that you adjust the concealment of the panel when reading or in games for maximum immersion.
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If you can’t find the screen, search by settings: type the word “navigation” into the search bar at the top of the settings menu.
Setting the position and number of buttons
Once the button mode is activated, Xiaomi users often want to change the order of the items. The standard Android scheme involves placing the back button on the left, the home button on the center and the app menu on the right, but for those who have previously used devices from other manufacturers or are just used to the reverse order, there is an inversion feature.
The navigation type selection menu often has a Hide the prompts or Show the buttons option, and you can find a button switch here, which is especially true if you've moved from a device where the Back button was on the right side of the screen, and muscle memory requires you to keep that habit.
⚠️ Note: When changing button position, make sure you don’t accidentally activate the panel hide mode, otherwise the buttons may disappear when watching videos or reading books.
Additionally, you can adjust the sensitivity of the screen edges in this section if you are using hybrid mode or plan to return to gestures. The sidebar and other controls may also depend on the navigation settings you choose, so it is recommended to check all features after making changes.
- 🔄 Use the “change buttons” option if you are uncomfortable with the standard location.
- 👁️ Turn off Hide Tips to see button names when you first press.
- 📏 Set up indentations if buttons overlap content in certain apps.
Using accelerated application launches
One of the useful features available in the button mode on Redmi 9 is the ability to quickly launch applications with double-press or long-hold.This feature is built into the MIUI shell and allows you to turn the Home or Menu button into a convenient shortcut for frequently used programs such as instant messengers or the camera.
To activate this feature, you need to go to advanced navigation settings, where you will find a list of actions that can be assigned to various interactions with the buttons, which allows you to significantly speed up access to the desired functions without unlocking the phone completely and not having an icon on the desktop.
Hidden button capabilities
The adjustment is performed as follows:
- In the navigation section, select “Advanced” or “Advanced Settings”.
- Find the option “Accelerated Startup” or “Quick Startup”.
- Select an action (like “Double tap”) and assign an app from the list.
This functionality makes smartphone use more efficient, especially in situations where you need to take a quick picture or respond to a message, but it is worth remembering that activating too many hotkeys can lead to accidental running of programs in your pocket.
Solution with navigation on Redmi 9
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the buttons stop responding to presses or work incorrectly, this can be caused by a temporary failure in the system process SystemUI, which is responsible for rendering the interface, in most cases, the problem is solved by simply restarting the device, which clears the RAM and restarts all services.
If the reboot didn’t work, it’s worth checking whether Handle mode or other features that can block standard button behavior are enabled, and a conflict with a third-party launcher installed that intercepts navigation control may also be the cause.
⚠️ Note: If the buttons are gone completely and do not appear even after the reboot, check if full immersion mode is activated in the settings of a particular application or game.
In rare cases, you need to reset the interface settings to factory values, you can use Safe Mode or clear the cache of system applications through the recovery menu, but this is recommended only for advanced users.
- 🔄 Perform a full reboot of the smartphone by clamping the power button.
- 🛡️ Check the list of apps with permissions on top of other windows and disable suspicious ones.
- 🧹 Clear the Settings and System Interface app cache in the Applications section».
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Most navigation problems are solved by restarting or updating the system to the latest version of MIUI.
Impact of MIUI Updates on the Interface
Xiaomi regularly releases updates for its devices that can change the look and feel of the interface. In new versions of MIUI based on Android 11, 12 and above, the navigation settings menu has been unified, but some options may have been moved or renamed to meet the new Google standards.
Redmi 9 users need to keep an eye on updates, as they often contain bug fixes related to sensor responsiveness and system buttons, and sometimes after a major update, navigation settings may be reset to standard ones, so they will have to be configured again.
In addition, newer firmware versions offer more customization options, such as changing the transparency of the navigation bar or adding additional gestures, and it is recommended to periodically check the update section to stay updated with new features.