Modern smartphones, especially Xiaomi models, offer users a flexible navigation system that allows you to adapt control to personal preferences. Many device owners are accustomed to the classic layout of the control elements, where the back button is on the right, but by default in the MIUI shell it is often located on the left. This creates some discomfort when switching from devices from other manufacturers or simply interferes with the ergonomics of using one hand. Change this setting is quite simple, but the process can differ depending on the version of the Android operating system and the version of the MIUI firmware or the new HyperOS.
In this article, we will explore all the ways to change the location of navigation buttons, and consider the alternative of full-screen gestures, which are becoming the industry standard. You will learn not only to change the controls, but also to adjust their sensitivity, hide the prompts and optimize the screen for comfortable operation. Understanding these settings will allow you to personalize the interface of your gadget, making interaction with it more intuitive and faster. Let’s start with the basic principles of navigation system.
It is worth noting that the Xiaomi shell interface is constantly updated, and the location of menu items may change slightly. However, the logic of the system remains the same: all the management settings are concentrated in one section. If you recently updated your phone or purchased a new model, finding the right item can take time. We will look at the current ways for the latest versions of the software so that you can quickly find the necessary options.
Differences between buttons and gestures
Before you start reconfiguring, it’s important to understand the fundamental difference between the two main ways of navigation that Android offers. The classic method involves having three virtual or touch buttons at the bottom of the display: Menu (or Recent Apps), Home and Back. This scheme is familiar to users since early Android smartphones and provides a clear visual understanding of the actions available. Virtual buttons occupy a certain part of the screen, but ensure that you can turn the app down at any time or back with a single tap.
On the other hand, gesture management is a more modern approach, where physical or screen buttons are not available as a class, instead swipes from the edges of the screen are used: swipe from the side edge replaces the back button, swipe from the bottom up returns to the desktop, and finger retention at the bottom edge opens up the list of running programs. This method allows you to maximize the useful area of the display, which is especially true for devices with extended screens. However, it needs to be used, especially if you have long periods of use of buttons.
⚠️ Note: When switching to gesture control, the back button’s range may overlap with some application interface elements, which requires getting used to the new geometry of finger movements.
Choosing between buttons and gestures is a matter of personal preference and habit. Some users value tactile return and visual clarity of buttons, others prefer a clean screen and gesture speed. MIUI makes it easy to switch between these modes at any time so you can test both options and choose the most convenient one for yourself. Below we will look at exactly how this switching process happens.
Step-by-step instructions for changing buttons in MIUI and HyperOS
The process of changing the location of the navigation buttons in the shells from Xiaomi is standardized and takes no more than a minute. You do not need superuser rights or install third-party software. All the necessary tools are already built into the system and are available through the standard settings menu. First, make sure that your smartphone is unlocked and you are on the desktop.
The first step is to open the main settings menu of the device. Find the gear icon, which is usually located in the Tools folder or directly on the desktop, and click on it. In the list of options that opens, you need to find the section responsible for screen operation and system interactions. Different versions of the firmware may call it differently, but most often the item you are looking for is in the category “Additional” or “Extended settings”.
☑️ Algorithm of button change
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 In the Settings menu, scroll down and find the option Additional (or Advanced Settings).
- 🔘 Inside the section, select the button management option (in some versions of HyperOS, this may be called Navigation»).
- 🔄 You'll see a screen with two main options: "Buttons" and "Fullscreen control." Select "Buttons" mode».
- 🔽 Immediately below the mode selection, a preview with two layout options will appear. Click on the icon where the Back button (triangle) is on the right if you want a classic Android schema.
Once you select a new button location, the changes are applied instantly, and you'll see how the bottom control panel has changed. If you choose the home button in the center, the side buttons will perform the back and menu functions, respectively. The system will also offer you a brief training video or animation showing how the new controls work.
⚠️ Note: Some global versions of the firmware MIUI The button management option can be hidden under the language and input submenu or system settings if the standard path does not work.
Set up full-screen gesture management
If you've decided to give up buttons in favor of gestures, you'll also need to do a few simple things on the same menu. Full-screen control makes the interface more modern and visually pleasing, removing unnecessary elements from the screen. This is especially useful for those who watch videos or play games where every strip of pixel counts.
To activate gestures, go back to Settings → Additional → Button Management. Here, select Full-screen Control. The system will automatically hide the bottom bar with the buttons. Now the navigation will be carried out by the following movements:
- ↩️ Swipe from left or right edge of the screen to center – action “Back».
- 🏠 Swipe from the bottom edge of the screen up - return to the desktop.
- 📋 Swipe from the bottom edge up with a finger delay - opening the menu of running applications.
An important feature of MIUI is the ability to select the direction of gestures. You can configure the swipe to return back only on one side (for example, only on the left) or on both sides of the screen. This is configured in the same menu where the Settings button or gear often appears next to the choice of navigation type, and you can find the item "Order of buttons" or "Gesting direction".
Hidden Signatures
When you use gestures, look for the special cues that you see when you swipe, which help you navigate when you start using the function, but over time, these cues can become annoying. Fortunately, you can turn them off. In the gesture settings menu, find the Hide the prompts switch and activate it. Now the bottom of the screen will be completely clean.
Compatibility issues and features of different versions of Android
The setup process can vary depending on which version of Android is installed on your device. Xiaomi uses different system modifications for budget, mid-range and flagship models. For example, on devices with Android 10 and MIUI 11, the menu could look different than on fresh Android 14 with HyperOS.
In older versions of the shell, the path to settings could look like Settings → Advanced Settings → Full-screen Mode. In newer versions of HyperOS, the company's engineers decided to simplify the structure by moving navigation control closer to the main parameters of the system. If you can't find the right item on the standard path, use the search by settings.
For this:
- Open "Settings."
- At the top of the screen, click on the magnifying glass (search).
- Enter the “button” or “navigation” request.
- The system will suggest going to the desired menu section.
It is also worth mentioning that on some custom firmware or Chinese versions of software without a global localization, menu items may be called differently. For example, instead of “Button Management” there may be “Method of Navigation”.
| Firmware region | Title of section | Location of item | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global (Global) | Additionally. | Button management | Full localization, there is Russian language |
| China (China) | Additional settings | Full screen mode | You may need an interpreter |
| EEA (Europe) | Additionally. | System navigation | Strict compliance with Google standards |
| India (India) | Advanced settings | Button management | Similar to Global, but with local services |
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Use a Settings Search (a magnifier at the top of the settings screen) if you can’t find the item you want manually – this is the fastest way to get to hidden menus on Xiaomi smartphones.
Third-party applications for customization of navigation
Built-in tools are sometimes not enough, especially if you want to change the look of the buttons, their transparency or add new features, in which cases come to the rescue applications from the Google Play Store, which allows you to create a completely unique interface of the navigation bar.
One of the popular solutions is the Navigation Bar app, which allows you to:
- 🎨 Change the color and transparency of the buttons.
- ➕ Add additional buttons (for example, to screenshot or launch a specific application).
- 📐 Change the size and indentation of the navigation panel.
Another powerful tool is Fluid Navigation Gestures, which completely replaces system navigation with more advanced one, offers the finest customization of gesture sensitivity, the ability to draw gestures anywhere on the screen, and even create your own combinations of actions. However, it is worth remembering that using such applications can consume additional battery power, since they work in the background and require special permissions through ADB or Root rights.
⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party launchers or navigators can lead to shell conflicts MIUI, Especially after you update your firmware. Use them with caution.
To set the advanced rights, some applications may need to connect to a computer and enter commands through ADB. This is already a level for advanced users. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to standard system tools that work stable and do not affect the autonomy of the device.
Frequent questions and troubleshooting
Even with a simple instruction, users may encounter nuances, such as buttons that disappear by themselves after a system update, often when the Hide Tips option has been activated in the settings, which in new versions of the software may not work correctly or hide the entire panel, in which case a simple restart of the device or reset navigation settings helps.
Another common problem is the rattling of buttons or their insensitivity, which can be due to contamination of the bottom of the screen or the adhesion of a case that covers the touch zone. Wipe the screen and remove the case for inspection. If the problem persists, you may need to calibrate the sensor through the engineering menu (code # #6484#), but this should only be done by experienced users.
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If the buttons are missing after the update, try temporarily switching to gestures and back, or reset the interface settings through the Advanced Settings menu.
Users are also often wondering if you can remove the bottom bar completely, leaving only gestures, but retaining visual cues. In standard MIUI settings, there is no such option: either there is an indicator bar or there is no one. However, in some themes of the design from the Theme store, you can find solutions that visually mask this strip, making it almost invisible.