Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which run on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, by default offer gesture control where the usual lower navigation bar is absent. However, many users who have switched from other devices or just got used to the classic scheme, feel uncomfortable and are looking for a way to make the strip at the bottom of the Xiaomi screen visible again. Returning buttons or changing the appearance of the navigation line is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve the convenience of daily use of the gadget, especially for those who often make mistakes with swipes.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for adjusting the bottom of the display. You will learn how to switch from gesture control to classic buttons, how to change the appearance of the thin navigation line and what to do if the usual interface elements disappear after the system update. The flexibility of Android customization allows you to adapt the smartphone to any needs, and Xiaomi is no exception here, providing deep personalization capabilities.
Before making changes, it is important to understand the difference between buttons and gestures. The buttons occupy a fixed area of the screen and are always visible, while the navigation bar (or “guest hint”) is only a visual indicator that is often hidden while watching videos or games. If your goal is to return clear Back, Home and Menu buttons, you will need to switch the system mode in the appropriate settings section.
Switch to classic navigation buttons
The most radical and effective way to strip is to give up gesture control in favor of classic three-button navigation, which is ideal for those who find swipes uncomfortable or random. To move, you need to open the device settings and find the partition that controls the screen. Depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
You need to go to the Settings menu, then select Additional (or find the section on the main settings screen right away) and click Full Screen Mode. This is where the key switch is hidden. By default, the system suggests using gestures that remove the buttons and leave only a thin bar-indicator. To return the buttons, you need to select the Button option. After this action, a standard control panel will appear at the bottom of the screen.
⚠️ Note: When switching to buttons, the content display area may decrease as the lower part of the screen will be reserved for the navigation bar.
Once you turn on the buttons, you can further adjust their order, with the standard layout being a triangle (back) on the left, a circle (home) on the center and a square (menu) on the right, but many users prefer to swap them for ease of use with one hand, and this option is also found in the Full-screen mode menu immediately below the navigation type.
Customization of the appearance of the navigation strip
If you don't want to return bulky buttons, but you're annoyed by the lack of a visible border, you can customize the gesture bar itself. In the latest versions of the Xiaomi shell, you can change the appearance of the gesture bar. This doesn't make it a button, but visually highlights the lower area, making navigation more understandable.
If the switch is active, the strip disappears completely, and the control is carried out by blind swipes. If you turn off this feature, a thin line will appear at the bottom of the screen. In some versions of the firmware, you can change the shape or color of this line through themes. Go to the Themes app, select your profile and find the System Style or Navigation section. There may be packages that change the view of the lower indicator.
And it's important to note that gesture bars often disappear in full-screen applications like YouTube or games, and that's a routine behavior that's designed to keep the user away from the content, and to see the navigation again, you just need to swipe a little bit from the bottom up or tap it down the bottom, and if the bar is missing from the normal menu, you might have activated Do Not Disturb mode or a specific theme that hides the system elements.
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Use themes from the GetApps store or official Theme store marked as compatible with your version of Android to avoid conflicts when changing your navigation style.
Solving the problems of the disappearance of elements
There are times when users encounter a bug: a strip or buttons disappear suddenly, without changing the settings. Often this is due to a freeze in the SystemUI system process or a conflict after an application update. First of all, try a simple reboot of the device. If this does not help, check if the immersion mode in a particular application is turned on, which can block the system navigation.
Another reason is a launcher malfunction: If you use a third-party shell (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair), make sure that the system navigation bar display is enabled in its settings. In a standard POCO Launcher or MIUI Launcher launcher, this problem is less common, but can be caused by cache damage. Cleaning the cache of the Settings and Security application sometimes solves the problem.
If the bar is blinking or unstable, check for system updates. Xiaomi often releases patches that fix interface errors. Go to Settings → About phone and click on the MIUI version. It’s also worth checking if you have Magisk modules or other system modifications that may conflict with standard navigation.
☑️ Diagnosis of strip disappearance
Use of auxiliary ball (Quick Ball)
An alternative to the lower bar is the "Assistance Ball" or the Quick Ball, which is a floating button that can be placed anywhere on the screen, including at the bottom, simulating a convenient navigation area. This tool is especially useful if the lower part of the screen is damaged or if the physical location of the smartphone buttons is uncomfortable. → Auxiliary ball.
In the settings of the ball, you can set the actions for short and long presses, for example, a short tap will return to the desktop, and a long tap will open the menu of running applications. So you get a functional analog of the navigation buttons, but in a floating format, this solution allows you to "do a strip" as a separate control, which is always at hand.
You can drag and drop the ball around the edges of the screen, and it doesn't overlap content until you're using it. It's a great trade-off between a full screen and having visible controls. But remember, it's superimposed over all windows, which in some games or apps that are randomly pressed can be blocked.
Hidden functions of the Auxiliary Ball
Comparison of navigation methods in MIUI and HyperOS
Choosing between buttons and gestures is not just a matter of habit, but also a matter of ergonomics. On big Xiaomi smartphone screens like the Redmi Note series or Mi Mix, reaching the bottom corner can be difficult. Gestures allow you to control the phone with one hand using a swipe from any edge, while buttons require more accurate hitting a specific area, which can be uncomfortable on modern elongated displays.
Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the two approaches so you can choose the best option for yourself:
| Characteristics | Buttons | Gestures (Stripe) |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied seat | Fixed stripe below | Minimal or hidden |
| Speed of operation | High (one tap) | High (swipe) |
| Convenience on big screens | Medium (must stretch) | High (swipe from the edge) |
| Visual noise | There are permanent elements. | Minimum |
It’s worth noting that in HyperOS, the animations of switching between apps when using gestures have become smoother and more like iOS. If you appreciate the visual component and smooth interface, gesture strips may be preferable, even if it takes time to get used to it.
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Gesture navigation saves usable screen space and provides more modern animations, while buttons give a clear visual understanding of the control structure.
Third-party customization applications
If you don't have the standard Xiaomi settings, Google Play offers a lot of apps to create your own navigation bars, like Navigation Bar or Fluid Navigation Gestures, which allows you to completely replace the system bar with a custom one, you can change its color, transparency, add your own buttons, or even make it dynamic.
These applications often require special permissions through ADB or root rights, although basic functionality is available without deep system interference. Installing third-party navigation allows you to make the bar at the bottom of the screen unique: change its shape to round, add volume buttons directly to the screen or adjust the sensitivity of swipes.
However, third-party solutions have their own risks: they can consume additional battery power because they constantly monitor the position of the finger, and they can conflict with system updates Xiaomi, so before installing such applications, it is recommended to create a restore point or backup of important data.
⚠️ Note: When installing navigation replacement apps, carefully check the permissions requested. Do not provide access to personal data or files if the app requires only drawing on top of other windows.