Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, offer users the flexibility to personalize the interface. One of the first steps that owners of new devices resort to is to change the way they navigate. The standard three-button scheme at the bottom of the screen is familiar to many, but it takes up useful display space. Owners often look for ways to optimize this control for a more comfortable one-handed experience.
The MIUI shell interface on the Redmi Note 7 not only allows you to switch between classic buttons and gestures, but also completely reconfigure their location. This is especially true for those who have switched from other devices or simply prefer alternative control logic. Understanding the options available will help you make using your smartphone more ergonomic.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all the methods available to change the bottom navigation bar, learn how to invert the order of buttons, move to gesture control, and what hidden features the system provides for advanced users. Follow the instructions to adapt the interface to your individual preferences.
Available navigation options in MIUI
Android
Xiaomi
The choice between these methods depends on your personal habits. Buttons provide a visual hint of the actions available, while gestures require memorizing swipes but give you more space to watch videos or read text. Redmi Note 7 supports both options without the need to install third-party software.
It's worth noting that the transition to gestures can take some time to get used to, but many users note that after a period of adaptation, the control becomes much faster, and the system responds to finger movements instantly, which creates a sense of smoothness in the interface.
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The choice of navigation type affects the ergonomics of smartphone usage and the available screen area for content.
How to change the order of the navigation buttons
If you prefer a classic three-button scheme, but want to change their location (for example, to the back button was on the right, like on iPhone or older devices). HTC), It allows you to do this in a few clicks. MIUI It is often different from what other brands are used to.
To change the configuration, you need to go to the settings menu. Find the section that's responsible for the additional system settings. This is where the switch is located, which changes the logical order of the controls. This action does not require superuser rights or complex preparation.
Once the appropriate option is enabled, the changes take effect instantly. You don't have to reboot the device. Visually, the buttons will simply swap places, retaining their functionality. This simple action can greatly improve the comfort of use if you often hold the phone in your right hand.
☑️ Checking the navigation settings
Note that changing the order of the buttons only affects the visual location, the functionality of each button remains unchanged: the central always leads to the desktop, and the side ones are responsible for returning and menu of running applications.
Transition to gesture management
Gesture control is a modern standard that has been actively implemented in Android since the ninth version. On the Redmi Note 7, this feature is implemented quite qualitatively, although it has its own features in the MIUI shell.
To activate, you need to select the appropriate item in the system settings menu, after which a thin bar-indicator may appear at the bottom of the screen, which is also configured. The main actions are performed by swipes from the edges of the screen: return is done by swiping from the left or right edge, and exit to the desktop by swiping from the bottom up.
⚠️ Attention: When switching to gestures, it may take time for your fingers to "remember" the new mechanics.
One of the features of gestures in Xiaomi is the ability to hide the bar-indicator, which makes the screen even cleaner, but deprives the user of the visual hint that gesture mode is active, and enabling this mode is especially useful for devices with a cutout in the screen, as it allows you to use the top of the display more efficiently.
Hidden gestures at MIUI
Setting up the gesture indicator band
Once you turn on gesture control, many users notice a thin line at the bottom of the screen, which is an indicator that shows the area to activate the home swipe. The MIUI settings for the Redmi Note 7 allow you to control the visibility of this element.
You can choose whether the bar will be displayed permanently, hidden automatically after a few seconds, or invisible at all. Hiding the indicator often confuses new users who don't understand how to return to desktop until they have performed a random swipe.
Changing this setting is in the same menu you chose to navigate, adjusting the time of hiding allows you to find a balance between a clean screen and usability, and for beginners, it is recommended to leave the bar visible at least for the first time.
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If you have hidden the bar and forgotten how to go back, just swipe your finger from any side edge of the screen to the center – this is a standard return gesture in MIUI.
Comparison of management practices
To help you make your choice, we have compiled a comparative table of the main characteristics of both navigation methods, each with its own advantages depending on the scenarios of smartphone use.
| Characteristics | Buttons | Gestures |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied screen area | About 10-15% of the bottom | Minimum (strip only) |
| Adjustment rate | Instant. | 3-7 days |
| Convenience with one hand | Average. | High. |
| Visual noise | There is. | Absent. |
As you can see from the table, gestures win in aesthetics and usable space, but lose in speed of initial mastery, and buttons remain a reliable and understandable tool for those who do not want to change habits.
The choice may also depend on the screen size. On the Redmi Note 7, with its 6.3-inch, the difference is noticeable, but on larger devices, the switch to gestures gives an even more tangible result in the ease of reaching for interface elements.
Frequent problems and their solution
When changing the navigation system settings, users sometimes experience incorrect interface behavior, such as buttons that may stop responding to clicks, or gestures that may be delayed, often due to software failures rather than a breakdown.
One common cause is conflict with installed launchers or themes. Third-party shells can overlap system management functions. If you notice strange behavior after a theme change, try to return the standard design.
⚠️ Attention: Installing themes from unreliable sources can lead to unstable navigation system. Use only proven themes from the official store MIUI.
There can also be problems with a lack of RAM. Redmi Note 7 has enough RAM to work comfortably, but with the simultaneous launch of many heavy applications, the system can prioritize them, temporarily reducing the responsiveness of the interface.
If none of these methods work, check for updates, and MIUI regularly releases patches to fix interface bugs, go to the settings and check the firmware version.
Additional Customization Opportunities
For advanced users who don’t have enough of Xiaomi’s standard tools, there are ways to do more modifications: Installing third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher allows you to completely ignore system navigation and create your own control schemes.
However, using third-party launchers on MIUI has its own nuances: sometimes there may be conflicts with system gestures, for example, the swipe to call the application menu may not work, in which case additional permissions are required in the "Special Rights Apps" menu.
Another option is to use assistant apps that add floating buttons or change the behavior of a physical keyboard if it's connected, but for most users, the Redmi Note 7 is quite enough.