Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones offer flexible interface customization options, including navigation button management. Whether you use classic three buttons (Back, Home, Recent), full-screen gestures or physical keys on older models, the system allows you to adapt navigation to your habits. However, not all users know that in addition to the standard settings in Settings → Display, there are hidden options available through ADB or engineering menus.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to customize navigation elements, from basic changes to MIUI 14/15 to advanced tricks for enthusiasts. We’ll focus on the challenges that device owners face after updates (such as the disappearance of the Home button on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 after switching to MIUI 15.1.2.0), and give solutions to fix them. If you want to optimize your smartphone experience or return to familiar control, read on.
Navigation Types on Xiaomi: What Options Are Available
The manufacturer offers three main types of navigation, the choice of which depends on the version of the MIUI and the device model:
- 📱 Classic buttons — three virtual keys at the bottom of the screen (Back, Home, Recent) are supported on all devices, including the budget Redmi series and the Redmi series. POCO.
- 👆 Gestures MIUI — Swipes from the bottom of the screen for navigation, and there are two subtypes available: with prompts (visual strip) and without them (clean gestures).
- 🔘 Physical buttons – relevant for older models (Xiaomi Mi 5, Mi 6) or devices with a Home hardware key (such as Mi Mix) 2S).
It is important to consider that on new flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi). K70 Pro) gestures are activated by default, and classic buttons can be hidden in settings. ROM vs China ROM) There are differences in the available options.
If you're not sure which option is right for you, try each one throughout the day. For example, gestures save screen space but are addictive, especially if you've previously used Android devices with buttons.
How to Change Navigation buttons in standard MIUI settings
The basic setting is available without additional tools.
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to the Display section.
- Select Full-screen display (on some firmware - Navigation style).
- Slip it on the right option: 🔄 Navigation buttons – classic three keys. 👆 Gestures MIUI — swipes (with or without prompts).
On some devices (for example, POCO F5), the option “Order of buttons” is also available in this menu, allowing you to swap “Back” and “Recent” places – relevant for left-handed or users who are used to the location on the iPhone.
☑️ Preparing for changing navigation settings
If some apps (such as games or banking programs) don’t work properly after changing the navigation type, try to return the previous settings or update the software to the latest version. For example, in PUBG Mobile, gestures may conflict with character control.
Advanced settings through ADB (for power users)
Standard MIUI options are limited, but with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can unlock additional features.
- 🔧 Change the sensitivity of gestures (relevant if swipes are too easy or, conversely, require effort).
- 🎨 Set up the transparency of the navigation bar or hide it completely.
- 🔄 Return the Menu button (three dots) that disappeared in new Android versions.
To do this, follow the following steps:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC, install it ADB-Drivers and execute the command in the terminal: adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 1 (This is forced to activate full-screen gestures).
List of useful ADB-navigational
⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause interface failures. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → The phone. → Backup or Mi Cloud. If after commands the navigation bar has disappeared completely, return the default settings with the command:
adb shell settings delete global force_fsg_nav_barSolving navigation button problems after MIUI update
One of the common complaints users have is that navigation buttons disappear or they malfunction after updating the firmware. For example, after switching to MIUI 15 on Xiaomi 13T, some users find that swipes are not recognized in the horizontal orientation of the screen.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons do not respond to pressing | System UI malfunction | Restart the device or clear the System cache UI: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Systemic → System UI → Warehouse → Clear the cache |
| Gestures work only in vertical mode. | Mistake in sensor settings | Reset gesture settings: Settings → Display → Full-screen display → Reset |
| Home button disappears after update | Resetting navigation settings | Return classic buttons via ADB: adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.threebutton |
If the problem persists, check if a third-party application (such as launchers like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher) is in conflict with navigation. To do this, temporarily disable all user shells and test the work in the standard MIUI launcher.
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If your gestures are less responsive after the MIUI update, try increasing the sensitivity through the engineering menu. Type ##36446337## in the Phone app, go to Touch and upgrade the Touch Sensitivity setting to 10-12 (default 5-7).
Setting up physical buttons on older Xiaomi models
Devices before the 2019 release (e.g., Xiaomi Mi 8, Mi Mix 2) often featured physical buttons that could wear out or malfunction over time, and here’s how to set them up or replace them with virtual ones:
- 🔧 Calibration of buttons: If the Volume or Power keys are triggered once, calibrate through the Engineering Menu (#4636## → Hardware Testing).
- 🔄 Replacement with virtual: if physical buttons are broken, activate software through Settings → Special facilities → System navigation → Virtual buttons.
- 🛠️ Repair: To replace buttons on Mi models 5/6 The cost of repair in the service centers Xiaomi — from 1 200 before 2 500 ruble (2026 year).
On some devices (such as the Mi Max 3), physical buttons can be reassigned, such as long-term power taps that will default to the off menu, but can be replaced with the launch of Google Assistant or another application via ADB.
adb shell settings put global power_button_end_call true(This will reassign the call button to end.)
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On older Xiaomi models (before 2018), physical buttons are often connected to a separate controller. If all keys stop working at the same time after a fall, the problem may be in the plume, not in the buttons themselves.
Hidden functions of the navigation buttons: what MIUI can do
Many users are unaware that the navigation buttons in MIUI support additional actions when held or double-pressed.
- 🔍 Double-click on Home: Google Search opens by default, but you can reassign to run any application through Settings → Additionally. → Home button".
- 🔄 Retention "Recent": on some firmware causes a menu of quick switches between the last two applications.
- 📱 Gesture "swipe up and hold": in full-screen gestures opens Google Assistant (you can disable in the gesture settings).
On devices with MIUI 14+, the Super Button feature is also available – holding the Power button triggers a menu with quick access to Google Pay, Flashlight and Emergency Call. To activate it, go to: Settings → Lock Screen → Super Button.
⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may not work. If you installed an informal firmware and lost access to additional button actions, go back to the stock MIUI Find the appropriate module for Magisk.
How to return navigation buttons if they are missing after resetting
After hard reset or factory reset on some devices (especially POCO or Redmi with global firmware), the navigation bar may disappear.This is because the system defaults to activate gestures but does not show prompts.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 0 (It'll turn off the forced gestures).
- Reset the device.
- If the buttons don't appear, check if they are hidden in the launcher settings. For example, POCO Launcher has the option "Hide the navigation bar".
If ADB is not available, try an alternative method:
- Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
- Find the System UI section and start NavigationBarSettings activity.
- Manually select the type of navigation.
On devices with MIUI 13 and later, you can also use Safe Mode: hold the Power button, tap Safe Mode, and after you reboot, set up the navigation again. This will reset the temporary System UI errors.