How to change buttons on Xiaomi: navigation and gestures

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, powered by MIUI and HyperOS shells, offer flexible interface personalization capabilities. One of the first things users do after buying a new device is to change the way they navigate. The standard layout of controls can be unusual, especially for those who have moved from iOS or older versions of Android.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to change buttons on Xiaomi, switch to gesture control or return the classic look with three buttons. You will learn where the right switches are hidden in the system menu and how to adapt your smartphone to your habits for a more comfortable one-handed operation.

Types of navigation in MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi shells traditionally provide two main ways to interact with the screen: the first option is a classic navigation bar with three virtual buttons located at the bottom of the display; the second is full-screen gesture control, which allows you to use the entire screen area without visual elements.

Choosing between these modes affects not only the appearance but also the speed of work. Gestures are considered more ergonomic on modern elongated screens, because they allow you to reach the upper areas of the interface with your thumb. However, many users prefer tactile response from pressing a specific button, considering this a more reliable way of controlling.

HyperOS’ navigation system is even smoother, with improved animation of transitions between applications, and regardless of the method you choose, it remembers your preferences and applies them globally across all apps and menus.

⚠️ Note: When switching to gestures, the Back menu area may conflict with the sidebars of some applications if the sensitivity of the edges of the screen is not configured correctly.

It’s worth noting that the layout of the elements may vary slightly depending on the version of the Android operating system on which your smartphone is running, but the logic of transition between modes remains the same for the entire model range of the brand.

Where to find screen control settings

To change the navigation settings, you don't need superuser rights or third-party software, all the tools you need are built deep into the system settings menu, and the path to that might seem a little confusing because of the many points, but we're going to make it easier.

Open the main menu and find the gear icon, and you're interested in the section that's responsible for the system as a whole, and in different versions of firmware, it can be simply called "System" or it can be classified as "Additional."

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Click on Settings on your desktop or in the notification curtain.
• ⚙️ Scroll down the list and select the Additional (or Advanced Settings) section).
• 🖱️ Find and tap the Full-screen menu (in some translations Navigation).
• 👆 Choose the right option from the two cards offered.

In some cases, especially on older versions of MIUI 12 and below, the path may be different, so you should search for Navigation directly in the main settings menu or through a search by settings, entering the "navigation" query.

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Use a search at the top of the settings menu by entering the word “navigation” or “gestures” to instantly navigate to the desired section without manual search.

Set up full screen mode (Gests)

Full-screen mode is the modern standard for smartphone interaction, which removes unnecessary elements from the screen, freeing up space for content. In this mode, the lower bar with buttons disappears, and swipes from the edges of the display are controlled.

To activate this mode, you need to select the appropriate option in the Full-screen menu. The system will immediately apply the changes, and you will see the bottom panel disappear. Now, to return to the desktop, you need to swipe from the bottom edge of the screen up.

The basic principles of gestures in Xiaomi include:

• 🔙 Swipe from left or right edge of the screen inwards - action "Back".
• 🏠 Swipe from the bottom edge up the center - return to "Home".
• 📋 Swipe from the bottom edge up and hold – opening the menu of running applications.
• ⏹ Swipe from the bottom edge to the left or right – quick switching between the latest applications.

And the important thing to note is that in full screen, you have a thin bar at the bottom of the screen, and it shows the gesture activation zone, and if it bothers you, you can find a Hide the indicator switch on the same menu, but then you have to remember the approximate swipe zone.

⚠️ Warning: With the screen’s high sensitivity mode enabled (for security glasses), the Back gesture area can become wider, leading to accidental returns in games or apps.

If you're used to a certain sequence of actions, switching to gestures will require a period of adaptation of several days, the brain quickly adjusts to new motor skills, and soon you'll notice that the control has become faster.

Classical navigation with buttons

For those who are not ready to abandon the usual interface, Xiaomi leaves the option of using the classic navigation bar, which consists of two or three buttons located at the bottom of the screen, a solution especially relevant for users who often use applications with an interface tied to side swipes.

In button mode, you get clear visual landmarks. You don't have to guess if the gesture will work, just click on the appropriate area. In the Full-screen menu settings, select the option with three dots or squares.

One of the key features of the classic mode is the ability to change the order of the buttons. The default Android button is "Back" on the left, and "Home" is in the center or right (depending on the version), but users who come with iOS often want to see the "Back" button on the right.

To change the location of the buttons, follow the following steps:

1. In the Full-screen menu, make sure the button mode is selected.
2. Find the order of buttons (or button location).
3. Choose the option: “First the Back button” (Android standard) or “First the Home button” (iOS style).

The changes are instantaneous. You can now control your smartphone the way you're used to, which is especially useful when you use the device with one hand, where your thumb is naturally reaching to a certain edge of the screen.

Hiding the navigation lane and additional functions

Even when you choose gesture control, many users notice a thin bar at the bottom of the screen, which is a visual marker that tells you where the swipe area is, and although it takes up minimal space, in some scenarios, such as watching videos or reading, it can be distracting.

To remove this element, the navigation settings menu includes a special switch Hide the full-screen menu indicator. Once activated, the strip will disappear, but the swipe area will remain active at the bottom of the screen (about 10-15% of the height).

Also in this section, settings that affect the behavior of the system are available:

• 🚫 Blocking Accidental Presses: Prevents Gesture Activation When Your Phone Is in Your Pocket.
• 🎮 Game Mode: Automatically Hiding Navigation When Playing Games for Full Immersion.
• 🔊 Vibro Response: tactile recoil settings when you click on virtual buttons (available only in button mode).

Turning off the indicator makes the interface cleaner, but requires remembering the swipe blind zone. If you often forget where to swipe, it is better to leave the indicator visible or use a translucent style if this option is available in your version of HyperOS.

⚠️ Warning: Hiding the indicator doesn't turn off navigation itself. Swipes will work in the same lower area of the screen, just the visual prompt will become invisible.

Solution and resetting of settings

Sometimes, after a system update or reset, the navigation may not behave correctly: gestures fail, buttons disappear or stick, most often a software glitch of the SystemUI interface.

The first step should always be to simply reboot the device, and if that doesn't work, check to see if the One Hand or Screen Enlargement mode is on, which can shift the workspace and disrupt the navigation bar logic.

If the problem persists, you can try resetting your navigation settings through the developer menu or special commands, but most often a simple round-trip switch helps:

Settings -> Additional -> Full-screen menu -> (Select another option) -> (Return the desired option)

In the rare cases where buttons fail to respond fully, it may be necessary to clear the cache of the system application Settings or System Interface, and this should be done carefully, knowing that you are resetting system preferences.

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If navigation is running late, try reducing the screen refresh rate in the display settings or turning off animations in developer mode.

Comparison of management practices

Choosing between buttons and gestures is a matter of taste, but each method has its own technicalities, and understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision.

Buttons provide stability and predictability. You always see where to press. But they eat up some of the useful area of the screen, which can be critical on small diagonals. Gestures, in turn, give a sense of boundless screen and modernity, but require getting used to swipe zones.

For users with larger smartphones (6.7 inches or higher), gestures are almost an option for comfortable use with one hand. For owners of compact models, the difference is less noticeable, and the choice depends only on personal preferences.

The table below provides a summary comparison:

Don’t be afraid to experiment. You can use the buttons for a week and then switch to gestures to see what suits your Xiaomi usage style.