Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer users flexible interface personalization capabilities that go far beyond simply changing wallpaper. One of the most popular features is the ability to change the order of navigation buttons or completely abandon them in favor of gesture control. This is especially true for those who are used to the standard logic of Android, where the Back button is traditionally located on the right, while the Chinese firmware MIUI or HyperOS by default offers the reverse arrangement.
You don't have to have superuser rights or install third-party launchers to make these changes. System settings let you switch to the classic three-button scheme or activate full-screen gestures in just a few touches. Understanding how the navigation bar works will help you significantly improve the usability of the device with one hand.
In this article, we will take a look at the action algorithm for all current versions of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS. You will learn where the switches are hiding, how to fix typical display errors, and what hidden capabilities the developer mode opens. We will also discuss the difference between program buttons and the physical response of the system.
Main types of navigation in MIUI and HyperOS
Before we start reconfiguring, it’s important to understand exactly what control options Android offers in conjunction with the shell Xiaomi. Currently, there are two fundamentally different approaches to interaction with the interface: the classic on-screen button block and modern gesture system.
The classic method involves three virtual keys at the bottom of the screen, usually a Back, Home and App Menu button, which can vary depending on the regional settings and firmware version. For many users who have moved from older versions of Android or other brands, this is the most common and predictable method.
On the other hand, full-screen gesture control allows you to use the entire display area, removing distracting elements of the interface. Swipes from the edges of the screen replace physical taps. Hybrid mode also exists, but it is less common in stock settings without modifications. The choice of the right option depends solely on your muscle memory and personal preferences.
- 🔘 Three buttons: Classic version with clear controls located in the bottom panel.
- 🖐️ Full screen: Manage swipes without visible buttons, maximizing usable space.
- ⚙️ Floating windows: Additional controls available when you activate certain multitasking features.
⚠️ Attention: Switching to gestures may take a short time to get used to, as the sensitivity of the edges of the screen is different from the exact push of the button.
Step-by-step: changing the order of the buttons
The process of changing the location of navigation elements on Xiaomi smartphones is as simplified as possible by developers and takes no more than a minute. You need to get to the corresponding menu of system settings, which can be in different sections depending on the version of MIUI. Most often the item you want is hidden in the "Additional settings" section or directly in the "Desktop" menu.
Open the Settings app and find the Additional Settings section. In some firmware versions, especially those based on Android 11 and later, this item may be simply called System Navigation and be located at the top of the list of basic settings. If you use HyperOS, the search logic remains the same, but the visual design of the menu may be more minimalistic.
Select System Navigation. You will see a window with two main options: "Buttons" and "Fullscreen mode." If you select button mode, below you will see a preview with three layout options. Click on the one that meets your expectations (usually the option with the "Back" button on the right).
☑️ Checking before shift
Once you have chosen a new order of buttons, the changes are instantaneous; you don't need to restart the device or close the applications. However, if you use applications that are running in full screen mode, they may require you to reopen the new navigation bar correctly.
Set up full screen mode and gestures
If you've decided to give up buttons in favor of gestures, it will offer you basic management principles. In MIUI and HyperOS, gesture logic is unified, but has its own features compared to pure Android. For example, a swipe from the bottom up in the center of the screen returns to the desktop, and a swipe from the bottom up with a finger delay opens the multitasking menu.
Special attention should be paid to the sensitivity of the edges. In navigation settings, the option "Side swipe area" or similar is often available. This feature allows you to expand or narrow the area in which you register a touch to return to the back, which is critical for devices with curved edges of the screen, where accidental touch can interfere with work.
For users who often use reading or gaming apps, the full screen provides significant benefits: the absence of static controls increases the usable area of the display, and it reduces the risk of pixels burning out at the bottom of the matrix, since there is no static picture of the buttons.
Hidden Sensitivity Settings
Remember that in full screen, the visual hint of where the Home button is disappears, which can be disorienting in the early days of use, and it is recommended to actively use the bar indicator at the bottom of the screen, which appears at the beginning of the swipe, as a visual landmark.
Comparison of Interface Management Methods
To help you make the final choice between buttons and gestures, we have created a comparison table that captures key differences in usability, speed and impact on the look and feel of the interface, often depending on the screen size of your Redmi or Poco smartphone.
| Characteristics | Three buttons. | Full-screen gestures |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of access | High (exact press) | Medium (swipe required) |
| Useful area | Reduced (occupied by panel) | Maximum |
| Habituality | High for older users | High for new devices |
| Risk of error | Low. | Medium (random swipes) |
Users of large smartphones, such as the Mi Note series or the Redmi Note series with large diagonals, often prefer gestures, which is because reaching the bottom corner of the screen with one hand becomes physically difficult.
On the other hand, gamers and people with motor characteristics may prefer buttons: a clear tactile sensation of pressing (even virtual) and the absence of false positives when watching videos make this method more reliable in certain use cases.
Solution and hidden settings
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after updating the firmware, the navigation settings are reset or become unavailable, this can be caused by a conflict of third-party launchers or errors in the cache of the SystemUI system application.
Another common problem is the navigation bar in apps that crashes, which often happens in games or video players that try to hide system elements. Check the settings of a particular application in the Apps section → Settings → Application Management. Make sure that Full-screen display mode with forced notch hiding is not enabled if it conflicts with navigation.
For advanced users, there is the possibility of fine-tuning through ADB-The standard means is to choose one of the options, and if you don't like either of them, the only way out is to install custom launchers like Nova Launcher, which have their own navigation systems.
⚠️ Warning: Using third-party launchers to change navigation can lead to unstable system operation and increased battery consumption.
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If the navigation buttons are gone completely, try pressing the on button three times or checking if the Do Not Disturb mode is activated in conjunction with full-screen applications.
Also worth mentioning is the Simplified Mode feature, which is often used by older people, which can change or enlarge the button interface, and to return the standard buttons, you need to exit the simplified mode in the basic settings.
The Impact of Android Version on Navigation
With the release of new versions of Android (12, 13, 14), Google is gradually changing the standards of navigation. In recent versions of HyperOS, there is a tendency to completely abandon buttons in promotional materials, although the functionality remains.
On Android 13 and up, you can more flexibly adjust swipe sensitivity back, learn from your actions, and ignore random touches at the edge of the screen, and this is done at the level of machine learning algorithms built into the operating system.
If you have a global firmware Poco device, the logic may be slightly different from the Chinese version of Miui. Global versions are more likely to have Western button layout (Back to the left) whereas Chinese versions are more likely to have Eastern (Back to the right), and changing the region in settings can also affect the options available.
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The Android version and firmware region directly affect the available button layout options and gesture behavior.
Users who change devices frequently are encouraged to stick to one type of navigation, which will reduce cognitive load and allow them to adapt to a new gadget faster, whether it is the flagship Xiaomi or the budget Redmi.