Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which use MIUI or HyperOS shells, offer users the flexibility to personalize the interface. One of the most popular features is changing the way the device is navigated to suit their personal habits. Many owners are interested in changing buttons to Android xiaomi to make one-handed control more convenient or simply update the appearance of the system. This is especially true for those who are moving from other brands or want to hide the bottom control panel to increase the usable screen area.
The process of reconfiguring navigation elements does not require root rights or installing third-party software. System settings allow you to switch between the classic three buttons, two buttons, or completely switch to gesture control. In this article, we will discuss all the options available in detail, consider hidden features and help you choose the best scenario for using a smartphone.
The main navigation options for MIUI and HyperOS
But Xiaomi's interface allows you to change not only the look, but also the logic of the buttons. You can choose a two-button option, where one of them combines the functions of Home and App Menu. There is also an option to hide the buttons, when navigation is carried out exclusively by swipes around the edges of the screen, the choice of the specific method depends on the diagonal of your device and personal preferences.
It's worth noting that switching to gesture control often requires a period of adaptation, but in the long run it speeds up the work significantly. Android on Redmi and Poco smartphones is optimized so that swipes are read instantly, minimizing delays. If you value maximum screen area and no visual noise, this is the perfect solution.
It is important to consider that in different versions of the firmware, the location of menu items may vary slightly, but the general principle remains the same for the entire brand ecosystem.
Step-by-step instructions for changing buttons
Settings
Additionally.
Inside the section, look for Navigation in the system, and if you click on it, you'll see a graphical display of the available schemas, the system will tell you to choose between buttons and gestures, and if you want to leave buttons, but change the order or number of buttons, select the appropriate subsection.
☑️ Algorithm of button change
After selecting the Button mode, additional options will become available. You can swap the Back and Menu buttons, which are often required by users who are used to left-hand navigation, and there is a switch that allows you to hide the button bar, leaving only a thin bar or removing it completely.
⚠️ Note: When you turn on the button hiding function to call the control panel, you will need to swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen. Make sure you remember this action so that you do not get confused if the panel disappears.
The changes take effect instantly without requiring a reboot of the device, and you will immediately appreciate how the new layout affects the ergonomics of your smartphone.
Set-up of gesture control
Xiaomi
Full-screen control
Gestures
The logic of gestures is intuitive: a swipe from the bottom up returns to the desktop, a swipe with a delay opens the menu of running applications, and a swipe from the left or right edge of the screen acts as a back button, which allows you to control the phone with one hand even on devices with a large diagonal.
Hidden Signatures
And the highlight here is the indicator at the bottom of the screen, which is a thin bar that shows that gesture mode is active, and you can hide it in the settings, but for beginners, it's better to leave it visible so you can navigate the interface space.
| Action. | Gesture. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Home. | Swipe from bottom up. | Transition to the desktop |
| Back up. | Swipe from left/right edge | Cancel action / Step back |
| Task menu | Swipe up and down. | Opening of the list of applications |
| Google Assistant | Swipe from the bottom corner diagonally | Launching the voice assistant |
The use of full screen mode is especially important for AMOLED-screens, as the black background of the interface in combination with the absence of buttons saves battery power.
Solving problems with the disappearance of buttons
immersive
If the buttons are missing in normal usage mode, check if Full Screen is enabled for a particular application. Go to Settings, select Advanced Settings, and find Full Screen Applications, where you can force the UI stretching for each program to be enabled or turned off separately.
⚠️ Note: If the buttons are missing after installing a third-party launcher or theme, try resetting the theme settings to standard. MIUI.
In rare cases, a system failure can be the cause. Rebooting a device usually solves the problem by returning the system UI to normal. If the problem persists, check for system updates, as developers regularly release patches that fix such bugs.
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If the buttons are gone and the phone is not responding to swipes, try pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot.
Hiding the navigation lane and visual settings
This creates a bezel-less display effect, but requires good muscle memory. At first, you may accidentally open an extra menu to try to invoke a non-existent button, but after a couple of days of use, gesture navigation becomes completely natural.
Some firmware versions also offer transparency or button color settings if you’re stuck with the classic diagram, which makes the bottom bar less visible or more contrasting depending on the theme you’re using.
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Hiding the navigation lane does not turn off the gestures themselves, but only removes the visual indicator, making the screen cleaner.