Xiaomi’s current smartphones are moving away from classic control buttons by introducing more ergonomic gesture interfaces. Many users, when they first encounter a new navigation system, are wondering how to put a white bar at the bottom of the screen to navigate the interface space. This thin indicator, often called a “bar” or “strip,” replaces the three usual buttons and allows you to control the device with swipes.
Including this element not only changes the appearance, making it more modern and minimalistic, but also frees up the useful area of the display. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of transition to gesture control, explain why the strip may not be displayed, and consider the nuances of navigation on different versions of the MIUI shell. You will learn to customize the system to your habits, ensuring maximum comfort with daily use of the gadget.
It's worth noting that the lack of physical or screen buttons at the bottom is an industry standard that allows manufacturers to increase the diagonal of the screen without the body size. However, for many, switching from buttons to gestures takes time and addiction, and it's a visual tipper in the form of a white line that helps the brain quickly adjust to a new algorithm of actions.
What does the white stripe on the smartphone screen mean?
The white horizontal line that appears at the bottom of the display is a visual indicator of full-screen mode. It signals to the user that the classic Back, Home and Menu buttons are disabled, and control is carried out by swipes. The presence of this bar indicates that the system is ready for gestures such as swiping up to return to the desktop or swiping sideways to switch between applications.
It's important to understand the difference between just hidden buttons and full gesture navigation. In some older versions of firmware, you could just hide the buttons, leaving control over them, but in current builds of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS, the appearance of a strip means activating a special input mode. It is a software solution that handles touches in the lower zone of the screen differently than ordinary clicks.
⚠️ Note: In some models with AMOLED-The constant display of a static white strip in the same area could theoretically contribute to uneven pixel burnout, although modern technology minimizes this risk.
Users often confuse this navigation bar with a notification or battery indicator, but its functionality is strictly limited to interface management. If you see this line, then your smartphone has switched to sign language, which has become the standard for high-end Android devices, and understanding this mechanism is necessary for effective work with the device.
Instructions: how to turn on the strip through the settings
The process of activating the navigation bar on Xiaomi and Redmi devices is as simple as possible and takes no more than a minute. You do not need to obtain superuser rights or install third-party software, since all the necessary tools are built into the system menu.
To start, unlock your device and find the Settings icon. You're interested in a section that might be called "Advanced" or "Screen" depending on the version of the operating system, and that's where the key parameters that govern how the interface looks and interacts with it are hidden.
☑️ Algorithm for enabling navigation
Next, you need to find System and Device (older versions may simply call it “Advanced”). Inside this menu, select the Navigation option. You will see a window with two main options: “Buttons” and “Fullscreen mode.” To get a white bar, you need to choose the second option. After switching, the changes are applied instantly, and the three buttons at the bottom of the screen will be replaced by a thin line.
In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, the path may be slightly different, so you should look for the Desktop or Additional Settings section in the main menu. The logic remains the same: search for Navigation and select gesture controls. If you can't find these items, search by settings by typing the word "navigation."
Suggestions of sensitivity and additional parameters
Once the white bar has been introduced, the system can suggest that it adjust its behavior, which is an important step, because standard sensitivity may not be suitable for all users. The navigation menu often has a slider that regulates the response rate or the gesture area, which avoids random inclusions when typing or playing.
Also worth noting is the ability to hide the strip. In settings, there is often a "Hide the indicator" option that removes the white line, leaving the gestures active. This is useful for those who are already used to control and want to achieve maximum visual minimalism, but for beginners, it is better to leave the indicator visible so that you do not forget about the available control options.
- 📱 Animation speed: affects how quickly the interface responds to a swipe from a strip.
- 🔍 Scope: Determines how high from the edge of the screen the return gesture is operating.
- 🎨 Subject: In some design themes, the color of the strip can change from white to black or transparent.
Remember that changing these parameters directly affects the usability of the device. Too high sensitivity can lead to erroneous transitions, too low can cause you to swipe several times. Experiment with settings to find a balance that is convenient for your hand and style of printing.
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If the white bar interferes with games, many modern games automatically hide it when they start, and if that doesn’t happen, check the settings of a particular application or use Do Not Disturb mode.
Why the strip is not displayed: the main reasons
It is not uncommon for a user to have a full screen mode, but the white bar never appeared, and most often the problem is active One Hand mode or using specific design themes that overlap the system elements, and the system process of SystemUI may also fail.
Another common reason is the installed navigation management app from third-party developers. If you have previously installed virtual buttons or custom launchers, they may conflict with standard MIUI settings. In this case, the system prioritizes the third-party application, and the standard bar is not displayed.
| Reason for absence | Symptoms. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Button mode active | Three square/triangular figures are visible | Switch to the navigation menu for gestures |
| Hidden indicator | Gestures work, but no lines | Enable the option "Show hints" |
| Thematic conflict | The interface looks strange, there is no strip. | Reset the theme of the design to the standard |
| System bug | Settings are not saved | Rebooting the device or resetting the settings |
If none of these options worked, it may be a software glitch, in which case it is recommended to check for system updates. Xiaomi developers regularly release patches that fix interface errors. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click on the update check button.
Control comparison: buttons vs. gestures
Going white isn't just a cosmetic change, it's a paradigm shift in how you interact with your smartphone. Classic buttons require you to press in a specific area, which is often uncomfortable on large screens, and gestures allow you to control the device with one hand, using the entire screen area for navigation.
In terms of ergonomics, gesture control benefits the button in several ways: it reduces the number of mechanical touches, allows you to switch between applications faster, and makes using your smartphone horizontally (when watching videos or playing games) much more comfortable, since you do not need to reach for the lower corners.
But buttons have their advantages, such as clear tactile returns (on older models) and clear visualization of available actions. For older people or those who move from button phones, three buttons may be more understandable. But statistics show that after a week of using gesture navigation, 90% of users refuse to return to buttons.
Solving problems with touch sensitivity
Sometimes there is a white strip, but the smartphone reacts to swipes every time, which can be due to contamination of the screen, the presence of a protective film of poor quality or software delays, and it is recommended to wipe the bottom of the screen first, since this is where the most fat from the fingers accumulates when typing.
Many Xiaomi models have a “Gloves Mode” or sensitivity enhancement feature in their display settings, which can help if you’re using a protective glass, and it’s worth checking if the power saving mode is on, which can limit processor performance and reduce touchscreen response speed.
⚠️ Attention: Using cheap, thick-edged protective glasses can physically block the gesture reading area, rendering the white strip useless.
If the problem is software-based, clear the cache of the system application Security or Settings. Sometimes it helps to reset all settings to factory, but before that, make sure to back up important data, as personal information will be deleted. This is a last resort, but it effectively eliminates deep system conflicts.