How to change the navigation bar on Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which run MIUI or HyperOS shells, offer users the flexibility to customize the interface. One key control is the navigation panel, which allows you to navigate between apps, return to menus or close running processes. Many device owners face the need to change the standard button layout or completely switch to gesture control, as this significantly affects the ergonomics and usability of the gadget with one hand.

Changing the type of navigation is not just visual editing, but also adjusting the logic of interaction with the Android operating system. Depending on the model of your smartphone, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi, the settings interface may differ slightly, but the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for the entire ecosystem of the brand.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available ways to switch between buttons and gestures, and also look at the hidden settings that allow you to fine-tune the behavior of the panel. You will learn how to fix the situation if standard methods do not work, and what nuances should be considered when updating the firmware. Deep interface customization is available to every user, even without obtaining superuser rights.

Main types of navigation in MIUI and HyperOS

Before making any changes, you need to understand the difference between the available controls. Current versions of Xiaomi firmware have two main approaches: classic three-button navigation and modern gesture control. Each method has its advantages and suits a certain type of user depending on their habits and device model.

The classic option involves three virtual buttons at the bottom of the display: Back, Home and App Menu. The layout of these elements can vary, which is especially true for users accustomed to the logic of devices from other manufacturers. Virtual keys occupy a certain part of the screen, which can be critical on smartphones with a diagonal of less than 6 inches.

Gesture control, in turn, removes visible interface elements, freeing up as much space as possible for content, swipes at the edges of the screen and at the bottom allow you to perform all the necessary actions, this method takes some time to get used to, but after adaptation, many users notice a significant increase in speed. System navigation becomes more intuitive when the hands memorize the necessary movements.

⚠️ Attention: When switching to gesture control, the area for random taps shifts to the edges of the screen, which requires more accurate finger movements at the beginning of use.

The choice of the right option depends solely on your personal preferences, some people appreciate the visual cue in the form of buttons, while others prefer the minimalism and smoothness of animations characteristic of gesture control, understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision before making changes to the system.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the type of navigation

The process of switching between navigation modes in Xiaomi smartphones is as simple as possible for developers and takes only a few seconds. You do not need to download third-party applications or have deep knowledge of programming. All the necessary tools are already built into the standard operating system settings menu.

To start, unlock the device and find the Settings icon on your desktop or app menu, which usually looks like a gray gear, and inside the menu, scroll down to a section that may be called "Additional Settings" or "Extended Settings," depending on your MIUI firmware version.

☑️ Algorithm of Navigation Change

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In the list that opens, we look for Full-screen Mode (or simply Navigation), and you click on it and you see two options: Buttons and Gestures. When you choose the right option, the system will instantly apply the changes, and the interface will be rebuilt accordingly. The changes will take effect immediately, without the need to restart the device.

If you choose button mode, the system will suggest you to further adjust their order. The standard layout for Xiaomi devices involves a back button on the right, but you can swap them to be placed in the same way as on classic Android smartphones (Back button on the left), which is especially convenient for those who have recently changed the phone brand.

In some cases, especially on older models or custom builds, the path may be slightly different, so you should search for the settings, click on the magnifying glass at the top of the settings menu and type in the "navigation" or "full screen" request, and the system will redirect you to the desired section where you can change the type of control.

Sensitivity settings and hidden parameters

After choosing the type of navigation, many users notice that the standard settings may not be ideal for their use style. Fortunately, MIUI and HyperOS provide advanced functionality to fine-tune the behavior of the panel, which avoids accidental taps or, conversely, makes the system response faster.

In button mode, you can adjust their sensitivity and duration of pressing. You can adjust how quickly the system responds to the virtual key being touched. For users with security glasses or low-quality films, this is a critical parameter, as they can reduce the tactile return of the screen.

  • 📱 Double-press speed: adjusts the interval at which the system recognizes double-tapping to activate the screen or other functions.
  • 🖐 Swipe sensitivity: In gesture mode, you can adjust the length of the swipe required to activate the action, which reduces the number of false positives.
  • 🔍 Hiding the panel: an option to completely hide the navigation bar in apps and games for maximum immersion.

The feature, called "Accelerated App Launch," allows you to open frequently used programs with a double-click on the home button or a latency swipe up, activated in the same menu where you chose the navigation type, and the speed of your phone increases significantly if you configure these hotkeys correctly.

Secret setting of animation speed
In the section "Developers" you can find the option "Scale of animation transitions." Reducing its value to 0.5x will make switching between buttons and menus visually faster, creating the illusion of a more powerful processor.> Remember that excessive sensitivity can lead to the opposite effect - the phone will respond to random touches of the edge of the screen. Find a balance in which the control will be comfortable for each user. Optimal settings for each user. Comparison of management methods: what to choose, we have prepared a comparative table. It reflects the key differences between the various device gestures based on the experience of Xiaomi. The Gesture buttons occupy a strip at the bottom of the screen Do not take places The speed of addiction Instant 1 to 7 days Comfort in games Can interfere in landscape mode Ideal for full screen Reliability High (clear press) Depends on the screen calibration Buttons remain the preferred choice for users who often work in applications requiring precise positioning at the bottom of the screen, or for people with motor impairments who find it difficult to perform swipes. Tactile return to the presence of the top screen, they are physically impossible to make their own devices with a large grip. It is also worth noting that in some heavy games or drawing applications, gestures may conflict with control within the program. In such cases, the system usually suggests temporarily hiding the panel or switching to button mode automatically. Solution: if the navigation does not work Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the navigation bar disappears, stops responding to touches or works incorrectly after the system update. This can be caused by a software failure, application conflict or an error in the system process of SystemUI. The first step should always be a simple reboot of the device. This action clears RAM and restarts all system services, including those that are responsible for the 80% of the action. If the reboot didn’t help, check if Do Not Disturb mode or special features are turned on. ⚠️ Note: Installing third-party launchers or themes from GetThemes may conflict with standard navigation, causing it to disappear. If the problem persists, try resetting your navigation settings. → Advanced settings → Full screen mode and switch modes back and forth several times, this will force the corresponding system module to restart, and it is also worth checking for firmware updates, since Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix such bugs. In the rare cases where the navigation bar "flashes" or twitches, the problem may be related to the protective glass, which incorrectly calibrates the touchscreen at the bottom of the screen. For advanced users who lack standard capabilities, there are automation applications such as MacroDroid or Tasker that can create complex scenarios, such as automatically hiding the navigation bar when a video player is launched or changing the layout of buttons depending on the time of day. However, it is worth remembering that deep interference with system processes requires special permissions through ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Example of commands to hide the navigation bar through ADB The following is the following: adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=* This command puts the device into full immersion mode, hiding all the navigation elements, and uses a command with a null value to return standard behavior. Such manipulations are useful for creating kiosks or demo modes, but ordinary users are better off limiting themselves to regular funds.The impact of updates on the navigation interface Xiaomi regularly updates its shells, and with each major release (for example, the transition from the user interface to the user interface). MIUI 12 on MIUI 13/14 Or HyperOS) the logic of navigation can change, sometimes updating animations, changing menu items, or adding new features such as one-handed control. After a major update, it is recommended to recheck navigation settings, as the system can reset them to default values or offer new personalization options. Adaptability to new interfaces is a key skill of the modern user. Recent versions of HyperOS have a tendency to further simplify gestures and integrate artificial intelligence that predicts user actions. For example, a swipe can be activated earlier if the algorithm realizes that you are going to fold the application. These changes make interaction with the phone more smooth and natural. How to return old navigation animations? In some versions of the firmware, you can turn off new animations or select the classic navigation styles. You can't change the color of the buttons with standard tools, they adapt to the theme of the system. However, using a third-party theme from the GetThemes store, you can completely change the visual style of the bottom panel. Why did the Menu button disappear after the update? MIUI The third button is often swiped or hidden. Check the full screen settings, maybe the default gesture control has been activated. Does the type of navigation affect battery charge? The difference in power consumption between buttons and gestures is minimal and almost invisible in real use. The main consumption depends on the brightness of the screen and active applications. How do you make the navigation buttons bigger? There is no direct button size slider in the settings. You can increase them visually by changing the size of the font and interface elements in the "Screen" section" →"Size of text and elements".