Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are known for their flexibility, but the standard layout of controls may not seem convenient to everyone. Often users wonder how to change the icons at the bottom of the screen to simplify navigation or just refresh the appearance of the system. In the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS, this feature is responsible for the system component, which is easily configured through the settings menu.
There are two main ways to manage the interface: classic, using three buttons, and modern, based on swipes. The choice depends on your habits and device model. We will analyze all the options available, including hidden settings and subtleties of working with navigation on different versions of Android.
Changing the parameters affects not only aesthetics, but also the ergonomics of one-handed use. Navigation panel is a key element of interaction with the gadget, and its proper setting can significantly improve the comfort of daily use.
Available navigation options in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi
three-point
The second option is gesture control, which hides the bottom bar and frees up the screen usable space, in which the button functions are swiped from the edges of the display, switching between these modes is instantaneous and does not require the device to restart.
It’s worth noting that some older models or specific regional versions of firmware (like China’s CN ROM) may have different interface settings, but the logic remains the same across the brand ecosystem.
- 🔘 Buttons: a familiar interface with three or two virtual keys.
- 🖐 Gestures: Modern Swipe Management Without Visual Elements.
- ⚙️ Flexibility: the ability to change the order of the buttons in the classic mode.
It is important to understand that switching to gestures takes some time to get used to, but in the long run it is a more effective method.
How to change the order and appearance of navigation buttons
iOS
To start the changes, open your device's Settings. Find the Additional section or go straight to Full Screen Mode. The path may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but the keywords remain the same. Here you will see the switch between gestures and buttons.
If you select the button mode, look for the additional options below, you can choose a three-piece format or a simplified two-piece format, and you can also have a reordering function: the back button can be on the left or right.
☑️ Algorithm of button change
Changing the order of the buttons is the only way to move the Back button to the right side of the screen, which is critical for left-handed or platform-changing users.
⚠️ Note: When you turn on gesture mode, the lower stripe may remain visible as a thin line.This is normal and helps you navigate when you start using it.
Setting up sensitivity and gesture indentation
To solve this problem, the full screen settings have a step-back function from the edge of the screen, and by activating this setting, you create an invisible zone where the swipe to return will be ignored if it is made too close to the edge of the display.
And then there's the edge sensitivity setting. If your Xiaomi smartphone has curved edges of the screen, or you use a thick-framed protective glass, the standard sensitivity may not be enough, so you can boost it up in the same menu.
- 📏 Retreat: Adds buffer zone to prevent false positives.
- 📈 Sensitivity: regulates the touchscreen response to touches at the edges.
- 🔄 Adaptation: Helps you get used to the new management system.
It is recommended to experiment with these settings immediately after the gestures are turned on to find the perfect balance between convenience and speed.
Comparison of interface management modes
Redmi
POCO
Buttons take up a permanent space on the screen, which can be critical on compact models with a diagonal of up to 6 inches. Gestures, in turn, allow the content to occupy the entire display area, creating an immersive effect.
| Parameter | Buttons (3 pcs) | Gestures | Buttons (2 pcs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupied seat | The strip at the bottom of the screen | Just a thin line. | The strip at the bottom of the screen |
| Speed of access | High (one touch) | Medium (swipe) | High (one touch) |
| Convenience with one hand | Depends on size. | High (from any edge) | Average. |
| Conflicts in games | Minimum | False swipes are possible | Minimum |
As you can see from the table, gesture mode wins in ergonomics on larger screens, whereas buttons remain more predictable in gameplay.
💡
In games where swipes around the edges are important (shooters, races), temporarily turn on the “Buttons” or “Do not disturb” mode to avoid accidental exit from the game.
Hiding the navigation bar in apps
However, if you use button mode, they can remain visible in some applications, taking up useful space. To fix this, you need to check the settings of a particular application or use the full-screen mode feature for individual programs.
Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Full-screen (or full-screen Application Management) and here you will see a list of all installed programs. Make sure that the switches in front of the right games and players are activated.
If the app doesn't support native full-screen mode, the system can display black bars on the sides, in which case you can try to force the image to stretch, but this can lead to distortion of the proportions.
⚠️ Note: Complete concealment of system navigation in conventional applications (not games or videos) is impossible without the use of third-party launchers or root rights, as this violates the basic functionality of the OS.
For normal tasks, it is better to use standard concealment mechanisms that are activated automatically when immersed in content.
Solution: If the buttons are missing or hanging
SystemUI
The first step should always be to simply reboot the device, and if that doesn’t work, check to see if Do Not Disturb mode or a special game mode is on, which can lock the bottom of the screen.
Also, make sure that the navigation settings for developers have not been changed, and if you have activated the navigation bar cover via ADB or the engineering menu, you can return everything back there.
- 🔄 Reboot: Resolves 90% of Interface Temporary Failures.
- 🛡️ Safe Mode: Helps to Identify Conflicting Applications.
- 🔧 Resetting settings: a last resort if nothing helps.
How do you get into safe mode?
If the problem is software-based and not solved by a reboot, you may need to reset the settings to factory, but make sure to back up the data before that.
Use of additional navigation functions
MIUI
Also worth mentioning is the Floating Window, which is a bottom-up swipe and thumb-holding gesture that opens up a menu of recent apps where you can run an app in multitasking mode, and it's a powerful tool for productivity.
For people with disabilities or just for convenience, there's a feature menu, which you can swipe up with three fingers or a button on the screen, and you can set up a virtual menu with large buttons.
💡
The combination of gestures and additional features of special features allows you to create a unique control scenario adapted to your physical needs.
Learning all the hidden features of the system takes time, but the result is worth it – your smartphone will be truly yours.