Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer users the opportunity to make the most of the screen space by hiding traditional navigation buttons. However, not everyone knows how to properly activate this mode, especially on new versions of MIUI 14/15 with re-positioning of settings. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from standard gestures to hidden functions for power users.
The problem of "extra" buttons on the screen is not only relevant for aesthetes: an additional 3-5 mm of usable area can play a role in games, watching videos or working with graphic editors. But it is important to understand that the complete removal of virtual keys has nuances, from the loss of familiar control to possible bugs in some applications. We will show you how to avoid typical errors and return the buttons if something goes wrong.
Why Xiaomi’s screen buttons are intruding and can they be removed completely?
The virtual navigation bar occupies up to 10% of the bottom of the screen on devices with an aspect ratio of 18:9 and above, especially on compact models like the Xiaomi 13 mini or Redmi Note 12, where every pixel counts.
- 🎮 Game mode: in shooters or races, the navigation panel can block controls
- 📺 Viewing content: black bars in video due to under-screen use
- 🖌️ Drawing/Design: Additional Tool Space in Adobe Fresco or Krita
- 🔄 Gesture habit: migrating from iPhone or other Android devices with clean gesture controls
Xiaomi technically allows you to completely remove virtual buttons, but with reservations:
⚠️ Warning: On hardware-powered Home button devices (models up to 2018), software-based virtual panel hiding can lead to system process conflict.
| Xiaomi model | Support for full-screen gestures | The risk of conflict |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14/13/12 series | Complete. | Low. |
| Redmi Note 11/12 | Complete. | Medium (game bugs) |
| POCO F5/X5 | Partial (no smooth animations) | High in MIUI 14 |
| Models up to 2019 | Limited. | Critical (possible bootloop) |
Method 1: Standard button hiding via MIUI settings
The safest method that works on all devices with MIUI 12 and newer. Instructions are relevant for Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and other modern models:
- Open the Settings → Display
- Select Full-screen mode (on some firmware - Navigation style)
- Slip on the option Full-screen gestures (or Gesture navigation)
- Turn on the switch and confirm the choice
☑️ Preparation for the transition to gestures
After activation:
- 🔙 Backwards: swipe to the right on the edge of the screen
- 🏠 Home: Swipe up from the bottom edge
- 📄 Recent: swipe up with pause or diagonally
💡
If your gestures are not working smoothly, try calibrating the sensor: Settings → Additional → Screen calibration. This helps 60% of devices with bugs.
Method 2: Hiding buttons through ADB (for power users)
If the standard method doesn't work (e.g., custom firmware), you can use Android Debug Bridge, which gives you more control, but requires a PC connection:
- Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
- Enable USB Debugging in Settings → More → For Developers
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:
adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*To return the buttons, use:
adb shell settings put global policy_control null*⚠️ Attention: On some firmware POCO This command can cause the notification bar to disappear. Create a backup through Settings before executing. → System system → Backup.
What if the ADB-command screen starts to glitches?
Method 3: Use of third-party applications (at your own risk)
For root-enabled devices, utilities like Nacho Notch or Full Screen Gestures are suitable, and they work overlaying the system interface, but they have limitations:
| Annex | Root is required. | Support for MIUI 15 | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nacho Notch | No. | Yeah (with bugs) | Violation of banking applications |
| Full Screen Gestures | No. | Partially. | Slowing down animations |
| Edge Gestures | Yes. | Complete. | Loss of guarantee |
Instructions for Nacho Notch:
- Download APK from the official website (not from the Play Market)
- Enable permission Overlay over other applications
- Select the Immersive Mode mode → Force Full Screen
- Add the app to the autoload
💡
The side of the button hiding application may conflict with MIUI Optimizations. Before installing, disable optimization in the developer settings (Settings → Additional → Disable MIUI Optimization).
Method 4: Edit build.prop (root users only)
The most radical method, which gives full control over system settings, is suitable for Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk installed:
- Install Root Explorer or similar file manager
- Open the file /system/build.prop
- Add the lines: qemu.hw.mainkeys=1 ro.miui.has_real_bl=1
- Save the changes and restart the device
Effect:
- 📱 The complete disappearance of the virtual panel
- 🔧 Ability to fine-tune gestures through adb
- ⚠️ Risk of loss OTA-update
How to get it back OTA-Update after editing build.prop?
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after successful button hiding, users are faced with typical bugs. Here's how to fix them:
Problem 1: Gestures work over and over again
Reason: Conflict with MIUI protection.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
- Find the MIUI (or Launcher) System Interface
- Clear the cache and data
- Reset the device
Problem 2: The notification panel has disappeared
Reason: Wrong ADB command. Solution:
adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.status=*Problem 3: Dead Zones Are Emerging in Games
Reason: Optimizing MIUI for gameplay. Solution:
- 🎮 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Playing space
- 🔧 Turn off optimization for games
- 📱 Reboot the game.