How to change the look of buttons on Xiaomi: full navigation setting

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones offer users flexible personalization capabilities that go far beyond simply changing wallpaper. One of the most notable features is the ability to change the way you navigate by switching from your usual physical or on-screen buttons to modern full-screen gestures, not only an aesthetic solution that allows you to increase the usable screen area, but also a way to speed up interaction with the MIUI interface.

Changing the button view or activating gesture controls takes only a few seconds and does not require super-user permissions. However, many owners of Redmi and Poco devices have difficulty finding the right item on the menu, since its location may vary slightly between versions of the firmware. In this article, we will discuss the algorithm for actions for all current versions of the shell.

Before you start setting up, it's worth noting that changing the way you navigate can take a short period of adaptation. If you're used to the three buttons at the bottom of the screen, switching to gestures may seem unusual at first, but after a couple of days of use, the intuitiveness of the new method will become apparent. Let's look at how to make this transition as comfortable as possible.

Differences between buttons and gestures in MIUI

Traditional three-button navigation (Triangle, Circle, Square) has been the standard for Android for many years. On Xiaomi devices, this method is implemented very reliably and understandable even for those who first took a smartphone.

In contrast, full-screen gesture control frees the bottom of the display from unnecessary elements, especially for models with a high aspect ratio, where every millimeter of usable area is important, gestures allow you to switch between applications faster and return to the desktop with a single movement of your finger.

There is also an intermediate option, hidden buttons that only appear when you click on a special bar at the bottom of the screen, a compromise solution for those who are not ready to completely abandon visual cues, but want to be able to watch videos or read text on the full screen without interference.

⚠️ Note: When switching to gestures, the old return animation may change. In some design themes, the visual style of the buttons may not match the new control method, which requires additional customization of the theme.

Step-by-step: how to change the type of buttons

The basic path to customizing navigation in the MIUI shell is standard for most models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 13 and later. To get to the desired menu, you need to open the system settings and sequentially go to the “Additional” section, and then select “Full-screen menu”.

Within this section, you'll see two main options: Buttons and Gestures. Choosing the first option will return the classic three buttons at the bottom of the screen. Choosing the second option will activate swipe management. In some versions of firmware, especially in global versions, this path can look like Settings → Desktop → System Navigation.

Once you select the mode you want, it will offer a short tutorial video or a demonstration of how gestures work, and don't ignore this information if you're changing the type of navigation for the first time, it will help you understand the logic of swipes from the edges of the screen.

If you don't like the new button, you can always go back to the menu and choose an alternative. Android's flexibility in conjunction with MIUI allows you to experiment without the risk of data loss.

Setting up sensitivity and additional functions

Once you have changed the look of the buttons, it is recommended to pay attention to additional settings that make using the smartphone more convenient. The navigation menu often features a slider sensitivity of the edges of the screen, a critical parameter for devices with curved displays or protective glasses.

If swipes are not performed the first time or, conversely, there are accidental returns when scrolling the tape, you need to adjust this setting: High sensitivity is suitable for thin films, and low sensitivity is suitable for thick protective glasses, which can interfere with accurate reading of touches.

Also worth paying attention to is the function of hiding the hint bar. In gesture mode, the bottom of the screen often leaves a thin strip that visually indicates that there is control, and it can be hidden in the settings to achieve maximum immersion in the content, although this will require remembering the area to call the menu.

• 📱 Customize the vibration length when touching buttons (available in the section "Sound and vibration»).
• 🎨 Change the color of buttons through the installation of third-party themes in the application "Themes».
• 🔙 The ability to swap the back and menu buttons in advanced navigation settings.

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If you use a protective glass with rounded edges, set the sensitivity of gestures to the maximum to avoid skipping swipes.

Compatibility problems with apps and games

Not all apps display correctly when switching to full screen. Some older programs may overlap the gesture area, making it impossible to exit the application or return back. In such cases, the MIUI system offers a forced concealment of the notch or change the display area.

To solve problems with games, you often need to activate Game Mode or Game Turbo, in which navigation gestures can be blocked to prevent accidental exit during a match. MOBA-Games where every split second and every touch is important.

If you find that a particular app doesn’t work, try restarting it or checking for updates in Google Play. Developers are constantly optimizing their products to the latest Android 12/13/14 navigation standards.

⚠️ Note: In some banking applications, when gestures are enabled, the bottom of the screen may be blocked by a keyboard.

Comparison of navigation methods: Characteristics table

To make a final decision, it is worth comparing the main characteristics of both methods. Below is a table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each control option for your Xiaomi.

Classic buttons offer maximum compatibility with all apps ever released for Android. Gestures provide a more modern experience, but can be addictive. The choice often depends on personal preferences and hand ergonomics.

As the comparison shows, gestures are better aesthetically and quickly on large diagonals, but for users with small smartphones or specific compatibility requirements, buttons remain a safe choice.

How to change the location of the buttons (Back and Menu)

For users coming from other brands (such as Samsung or Huawei), the usual location of the navigation buttons on Xiaomi can be reversed. In MIUI, the default “Back” button is on the right and “Menu” is on the left, whereas in pure Android, often the opposite is true.

Fortunately, it's very easy to change this location. Go to the Full-screen menu, select Buttons mode, and click on Order of Buttons or similar. Here you can choose Back button on the right or Back button on the left.

This setting does not affect the gestures, as the swipe direction always follows the logic of “from the edge of the screen.” However, for those who use hybrid mode or often type with one hand, the correct orientation of the buttons is critical for comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To conclude, we will answer the most popular questions users have when setting up their navigation, and if you didn’t find the answer above, it’s probably in this section.

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The right navigation is the foundation of the smartphone’s usability, so don’t be afraid to experiment with gestures, even if the buttons seem more familiar.