How to change buttons on Xiaomi Redmi 9: Setting up navigation

Owners of smartphones line Redmi often face the desire to personalize the interface of the device to their own needs. Especially relevant issue of navigation, as the convenience of the location of the control elements depends on the speed and overall comfort when using the gadget. Xiaomi Redmi 9, working on the shell MIUI, implemented a flexible control system that allows you to change the order and appearance of the buttons without installing third-party software.

The standard Android layout assumes that the Back button is on the left and the App Menu is on the right, but many users are used to the inverted version common in older versions of iOS or specific Android builds. Fortunately, you can change this configuration in a couple of minutes through system settings. This action does not require obtaining superuser rights or complex flashing of the device.

In this guide, we will take a closer look at the algorithm for changing the order of buttons, consider the possibility of a full transition to gesture control, and touch on the nuances of the navigation bar concealment. You will learn how to adapt the Redmi 9 interface to your ergonomics, to reach the desired areas with your thumb was as convenient as possible, and will also highlight hidden functions available through the engineering menu or special commands.

Standard methods of changing the order of buttons in MIUI

The easiest and safest way to change the layout of controls is to use the built-in operating system. The MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 9 provides direct access to these settings through the settings menu, you do not need to download additional apps from Google Play or use a computer.

To start, you need to go to the main settings menu of your smartphone, find the gear icon on your desktop or in the notification curtain, and look inside the menu for a section that could be called "Additional Settings" or simply "Screen," depending on the firmware version and the device's regional anchorage, and that's where the functionality we need is hidden.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Open the Settings section and find the Additional Settings item.
• 📱 Select Full-screen mode (in some versions it is called "Navigation on the system").
• 📱 At the bottom of the screen, you'll see two options: "Buttons" and "Gesturals.
• 📱 Click on the order change icon (usually two arrows or a switch) to invert the position of the Back and Menu buttons".

Once you do these things, the changes are instant. The system doesn't need to be rebooted. If you accidentally choose the wrong option, you can always go back to the same menu and get it back. It's important to note that this setting applies globally to all applications that don't have their own navigation system.

Transition to full-screen gesture control

A modern alternative to the classic buttons is gesture control, which frees up useful screen space that the navigation bar used to occupy. On Redmi 9, with its diagonal, this may be especially true for those who consume a lot of media content.

To activate gestures, you need to be in the same Full-screen mode menu as I mentioned above, and if you switch the switch to the appropriate value, you will see a training animation, and the system will offer you to try swipes from the edges of the screen to go back and a swipe from the bottom up to go to the desktop.

The basic principles of gesture navigation include:

• 🖐 Swipe from the bottom up in the center of the screen replaces the home button (exit to the desktop).
• 🖐 The swipe from the left or right edge of the screen to the center performs the function of the button "Back".
• 🖐 Swipe from the bottom up with a finger delay opens the menu of running applications (multi-tasking).
• 🖐 Swipe to the right or left on the lower strip (if it is enabled) allows you to switch between the latest applications.

⚠️ Attention: The first time you switch to gestures, it may take time to get used to it. 2-3 You don't have to rush back the buttons in the first hour if you feel uncomfortable.

If standard gestures seem uncomfortable, there are ways to fine-tune them through third-party launchers or special assistant apps, although MIUI system tools are quite limited in this regard.

Hiding and setting up the navigation panel

Many users want to not just swap buttons, but also completely remove the bottom bar from the screen so that it does not interfere with watching videos or playing. Xiaomi Redmi 9 has a built-in feature to hide the indicator, but it does not work in all scenarios the same.

To control the visibility of the panel, use the Hide indicator slider in the navigation menu. When this feature is activated, the thin bar at the bottom of the screen disappears, leaving only virtual swipe areas (if gesture mode is selected) or making the buttons less visible, which creates an immersive effect and visually enlarges the content area.

However, the following nuances should be considered:

• 👁️ Hiding the indicator can make it difficult to use gestures for beginners, as the visual landmark disappears.
• 👁️ In some games and applications, the panel may appear automatically, ignoring your settings.
• 👁️ On models with a cutout in the screen (like Redmi 9), it is important not to confuse swipe zones with system interface elements.

There is also the option to adjust the sensitivity of the screen edges, although this option is often hidden in standard MIUI. If swipes are difficult to perform, try to clear the screen area of the protective film with thick edges that can interfere with accurate recognition of touches.

Use of third-party applications for customization

If you don’t have enough built-in tools, the Android market offers a variety of solutions for advanced navigation customization. Google Play Store apps allow you to create your own button combinations, change their transparency, size, and even add new features like a dual tap screenshot.

One popular solution is to use launcher applications or specialized utilities like Navigation Bar or Fluid Navigation Gestures, which can completely replace the navigation system bar, but their installation requires broad permissions, including access to special features.

The process of installing a third-party controller usually looks like this:

• 📥 Download the selected application from a reliable source (official store is preferred).
• 📥 Run the program and follow the instructions of the setup wizard.
• 📥 Provide the necessary permissions in the Android system menu.
• 📥 Turn off system navigation if the application requires it to work properly.

⚠️ Attention: Installing third-party navigators can lead to increased battery consumption, as they are constantly hanging in the background. MIUI, randomly.

These tools are useful if you're an enthusiast and want to have a unique interface look. For the average user, the standard shell is usually more than enough. Remember that any third-party software is a potential security risk.

Table of comparison of navigation methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right control for your Redmi 9, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each method based on your habits and preferences.

As you can see from the table, gesture control wins in ergonomics and space use, while classic buttons remain the leaders in simplicity and predictability. The choice ultimately depends on what is more important to you: maximum screen area or familiar tactile response.

Solution and resetting of settings

During the setup process, users of Xiaomi Redmi 9 can face various problems. Sometimes buttons can disappear, stop responding to clicks or behave incorrectly after updating the system.

If the navigation stops working, try restarting the device, which is a trivial but often effective method. If the problem persists, check if the One-Hand mode or special features for people with disabilities that may be blocking standard controls are on.

To return to the factory navigation parameters, follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings -> Additional settings.
2. Select Full Screen Mode.
3. Switch to a different type of navigation and then return the one you need.
4. If this doesn’t help, you can reset all system settings through the Advanced Settings menu –> Recovery and Reset (be careful, it won’t just affect the buttons).

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If the buttons stopped working after installing a particular app, try uninstalling it or running your smartphone in Safe Mode to confirm the conflict.

In rare cases, the problem may be a touchscreen damage at the bottom of the screen. Check the display response with the built-in engineering test (code ##6484##). If the screen does not respond to touch, you may need to replace the display module.

Hidden Opportunities and Engineering Codes

For advanced Redmi 9 users, there are ways to deep customize through the engineering menu, but be very careful: changing the settings without understanding their purpose can lead to unstable system operation.

One of the interesting features is the ability to change the size and indentation of the navigation panel through the ADB-It requires you to connect your smartphone to your PC and have debugging. USB. The team looks something like this:

adb shell wm overscan 0,0,0,50

This command adds a padding on the bottom, which can be useful if the bottom of the screen is damaged or if you want to visually "lift" buttons. To return everything as it was, use the command adb shell wm overscan reset.

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Engineering customization gives you complete control over the interface, but requires technical knowledge. For 95% of users, standard MIUI settings are enough.

Remember that a deep modification of the system can affect the operation of some banking applications that are sensitive to changes in system files.