Xiaomi’s current smartphones and Redmi brand come with a MIUI preset shell that has a specific navigation by default. Many users who have switched from other Android devices have become accustomed to the classic control button layout, where “Back” is on the right and “Menu” is on the left. However, in the Chinese version of the firmware or simply by default in some regions, these interface elements are mirrored, which causes discomfort when controlling one finger.
Fortunately, the developers have built-in functionality that allows you to change the order of the buttons without having to get root permissions or install third-party programs. The setup process takes literally a few seconds and is available in the standard system settings menu. You do not need to be a technician to perform this procedure, since the settings interface is as simple and clear as possible even for a beginner.
In this article, we will discuss in detail where exactly the switch is hiding, what it is called in different versions of the firmware and what to do if standard means to change the layout fails. We will also look at the nuances of working with gesture navigation, which gradually replaces the classic buttons, but still remains popular among many smartphone owners.
Difference Between Standard and Classical Navigation
Before making changes to the interface, it’s important to understand exactly what the two layout types are. Xiaomi’s standard layout (often referred to as “Chinese”) assumes that the one-step back button is to the left of the central home button, which is logical for left-handers or for thumb control when the phone is held in the left hand.
The classic scheme used by Samsung or Google Pixel users places the back button on the right. This is the historical standard in the western version of Android. The change of layout changes only the position of these two elements, the central home button (or swipe area up) remains in place. Visually, only the order of the icons at the bottom of the screen changes.
It is worth noting that the latest versions of MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and HyperOS give priority to full-screen gesture navigation, in which there are no physical or screen buttons, and swipes are controlled from the edges of the screen. However, even in this mode, you can adjust the direction of the swipe for return, although the concept of “buttons” here is transformed into sensitivity zones.
Step-by-step instructions for changing buttons in MIUI
The process of changing the configuration of the navigation bar is unified for most current models of smartphones Redmi Note, Redmi and Xiaomi Mi. You will need to perform a sequence of actions that will lead you to the desired switch.
To start, unlock the device and go to the home screen. Find the Settings icon (usually a gray gear) and click on it to open the main system settings menu. This is where all the tools for customizing your device, including the display, sound and control settings, are concentrated.
In the list that opens, find a section called Advanced Settings (in some translations, "More"), which is usually at the bottom of the list of main categories, and within this section, you can find options that do not require frequent intervention, such as date and time, language, and button management.
☑️ Algorithm of action
After you enter the Advanced Settings menu, scroll down to Full Screen. Despite the name, it's where you can find both gesture and classic button settings. Click on this. You'll see a window with two main options: the mode switch and the setting button.
If you have Full-screen gestures activated, you need to switch to Buttons first. Once you activate the button navigation, you will have a "Tune" button located under the mode switch, and if you click on it, you will see a schematic image of the smartphone with three buttons and the ability to rearrange them.
Configure depending on the version of MIUI and HyperOS
The MIUI shell interface is constantly evolving, and the layout of menu items can change. Owners of older models, such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Redmi 9, running MIUI 11 or MIUI 12, the instruction remains classic: Settings → Advanced settings → Full screen. However, in more recent versions, such as MIUI 13 and later, the structure could be optimized.
In HyperOS, which replaces MIUI, the logic has remained the same, but the visual design has become more minimalist. The item may be simply called "Navigation" or be entered into a separate submenu "Management." If you can't find "Full screen", try searching by settings.
To do that, there's a search bar at the top of the settings screen, and type in the word "buttons" or "navigation," and it will tell you to go to the section you want to go to, and it's a universal way that works regardless of the firmware version and interface language, if you remember the keyword.
| System version | The path to settings | nuance |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 10-12 | Settings → Advanced settings → Full screen | Classical path, unchanged |
| MIUI 13-14 | Settings → Advanced settings → Full screen | Added switch animation |
| HyperOS | Settings → Additional settings → Navigation | Updated menu design |
| Android One | Settings → System → Gestures | For global versions without MIUI |
It is important to understand that global firmware (Global ROM) and Chinese versions (China ROM) may have slight differences in terminology. In the Chinese version, the menu will be in English or Chinese, and the item may be called "Full screen" or "Navigation".
What to do if the settings are not saved or hidden
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after selecting the right layout and clicking "Apply" (or tick in the corner), the buttons do not change, or the settings point is completely absent, this can be due to several reasons related to software failures or features of a particular model.
One common reason is activated One Hand mode or special access modes. If disabled features are enabled, they may block standard navigation settings. Check Advanced Settings → Special Opportunities and make sure that third-party control launchers are not activated.
⚠️ Note: If you use a third-party launcher (desktop shell), downloaded from Play Market, it can intercept the navigation bar control.In this case, the system settings may be ignored. MIUI Launcher.
The problem may also be in the cache of the system application “Settings” or “System”. UI». Try clearing the cache of these components through the Apps menu» → «All applications» → find out» → «Clean up» → «Clear the cache. After restarting your smartphone, try changing the button settings again.
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Gesture control as an alternative to buttons
Instead of swapping buttons, many users prefer to swipe them away altogether in favor of gestures, freeing up useful screen space and making smartphone use more modern. In gesture mode, swiping back from the left or right edge of the screen to the center is done.
To activate this mode, select Full Screen gestures from the same Full Screen menu. The system will offer a training video or diagram showing how to perform basic actions. Swipe returns from the bottom up to the home screen, swipe from the bottom up with pause opens the menu of running applications.
The benefits of gestures are obvious: no static interface elements, smoother animations, and the ability to change the return area (left or right) depending on habit, but gestures need to get used to, especially if you've been using buttons for years.
Sign settings can also turn off vibrations when navigating, making smartphone use quieter, especially if you use your phone frequently in public or at night.
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Expert advice: When using gesture control, turn on the “Hide Strip Indicator” settings (if available in your version of MIUI) to make the lower bar less visible, increasing the usable screen area.
The impact of the design theme on the appearance of the buttons
Keep in mind that the appearance of the buttons (their shape, color and style) depends on the set theme. If you change the layout, but the buttons look strange or do not meet expectations, the problem may be in the theme. Standard MIUI themes support both layouts correctly.
However, third-party themes downloaded from the Themes store may have a hard-coded button graphic that doesn't adapt to the system settings, so even if you change the settings in the system, you'll see old icons, and the solution is one: change the theme to a standard one, or find a theme that supports both types of navigation.
To change the theme, go to the Topics app, select the person’s profile in the corner, go to My Pages → Topics, and select a standard theme (usually called Classic or Default).
⚠️ Note: Installation of topics from unverified sources or modified APK-files can cause unstable navigation system. Use only the official theme store MIUI.
Frequent problems and their solution
Even after you set it up properly, users can encounter bugs, such as buttons that can go missing in certain applications, especially in games or when watching videos, which is normal behavior of the system that hides navigation to immerse in content, usually just swipe slightly from the edge of the screen to appear again.
If the buttons are gone completely and don't appear, SystemUI may have failed, in which case a forced reboot of the device will help, press the power button for 10-15 seconds before the MI or Redmi logo appears.
In rare cases, when you upgrade your system, you can reset to default, which is a well-known feature of some MIUI builds. You have to go back to the settings and choose the layout you're used to. To avoid data loss when you crash, back up regularly.
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Main conclusion: If standard methods do not help, resetting the settings to factory (with a pre-backup) is guaranteed to return the navigation menu to work, as it eliminates software conflicts.
In conclusion, navigation management on Xiaomi and Redmi is flexible and allows you to adapt your smartphone to any user’s habits.Whether it’s classic buttons or modern gestures, you can always choose the option that suits you.