Modern Android and iOS interfaces have long since ceased to be polar opposites, becoming convenient ecosystems that replicate the best features of each other. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often wonder how to make a strip like an iPhone on Xiaomi to give their device a more premium look and familiar ergonomics.
The introduction of this element not only changes the visual style, but also significantly speeds up the work with the gadget. The indicator strip allows you to swerve applications with a single movement of your finger, return to the desktop or switch between running tasks. In the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, this functionality is implemented at the system level, but to fully resemble Apple products, you will need additional configuration of several design parameters.
It’s worth noting that the process of interface transformation can vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system and the model of your smartphone. Some features are available out of the box, others require the installation of third-party launchers or the use of specialized themes. Let’s take a look at all the available ways to make your Android smartphone indistinguishable from the flagships of competitors in terms of ease of management.
Activation of navigation system gestures
The first and most important step is to eliminate the classic buttons at the bottom of the screen, which visually clutter the interface and prevent perception of the very stripes that everyone is striving for. Unlike older versions of Android, where you had to look for hidden menus, in modern firmware from Xiaomi, this feature is put in a prominent place.
To start, you need to go to the basic settings of the device. Find the section that is responsible for screen operation and system navigation. Here you have to choose a control mode that completely changes the logic of interaction with the display. Instead of three buttons (Back, Home, Menu), a thin line will appear.
To activate the desired mode, perform the following actions:
- 📱 Open the Settings menu and select Additional or immediately find the Desktop section.
- 📲 Go to the subsection System Navigation.
- ✅ Select Full-screen Mode (or “Gests”). Immediately after that, the buttons will disappear, and a thin bar will appear at the bottom.
- 🔄 If necessary, click the button “Order of buttons” to adjust the location of the return zones (left or right).
⚠️ Warning: Once full screen mode is enabled, the habit of tapping the bottom of the screen to return can be a cruel joke.Be prepared for random swipes to open the multitasking menu.
Now your smartphone is swiped, which is the standard for modern iOS devices. However, the standard strip in MIUI often looks too thin and pale, especially on light themes, which does not quite fit Apple's greasy style.
Customization of the visual style of the indicator
After the gestures are turned on, many users notice that the strip is barely noticeable. HyperOS stock firmware and the latest versions of MIUI have the ability to adjust its appearance, but options can be hidden depending on the firmware region (Global, China, EEA).
Changing the thickness and color of a line often requires activating advanced settings through the Developer Menu or using special themes. The standard path is through settings for additional features. Here you can find a switch that makes the indicator more visible.
Let’s look at the main parameters that are worth checking:
- 🎨 Hiding the indicator: some themes have a full strip hiding option that only leaves the gesture functionality.
- 🌗 Adaptive Color: Make sure the color of the line changes depending on the background (black on light, white on dark) as implemented in the iPhone.
- 📏 Size: In the menu Additional → Special facilities → The sensor is sometimes available with a pointer size slider, which affects the navigation bar as well.
If standard settings are not enough, the solution is to install an iOS-style theme. The MIUI theme store contains thousands of options where graphical elements are replaced with iOS analogues. A search for "iOS 17" or "iPhone style" will yield hundreds of results.
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When installing themes from third-party sources or even from the official MIUI store, always check the author's rating. Poorly optimized themes can cause interface lags or incorrect display of system fonts.
Using third-party launchers for complete similarity
The regular tools are good, but they don't allow you to copy the behavioral features of iOS by 100%, like animations of folding applications or a specific kind of docking panel, and for this enthusiasts use third-party shells that completely replace the desktop.
One of the most popular solutions is Launcher iOS 17, or its counterparts from developer Cheetah Mobile and other studios. These apps don't just change icons, they implement a full-fledged Control Center, notification curtain and, of course, that very bottom bar with the right animation.
Advantages of using a third-party launcher:
- 🚀 Complete copy of the interface, including the control center and widgets.
- 🔄 Transition animations as close as possible to the original on the iPhone.
- ⚙️ Deep adjustment of size, color and transparency of the lower strip.
However, it is worth remembering the disadvantages: Third-party launchers consume more RAM and can conflict with the system gestures of the MIUI itself. Often you have to choose the sensitivity settings for the strip to react instantly.
| Parameter | MIUI System Gestures | Third-party launcher (iOS Style) | Design topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability | Tall. | Medium | Tall. |
| Visual similarity | Low (strip only) | Maximum. | Average. |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | Notable. | Minimum |
| Difficulty setting up | Low. | Tall. | Medium |
| Recommendation | For everyday use | For Apple style fans | For easy update of the view |
☑️ What you need to install a launcher
Modification through Theme Editor (for advanced)
If you want to get a “strip like iPhone on Xiaomi” without installing heavy launchers, but with more accurate configuration than standard themes allow, you can use the MIUI Theme Editor tool on PC. This will allow you to edit the system file framework-res.apk or the current theme file.
This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and having basic knowledge of the structure of Android files. You will need to find the graphic element responsible for rendering the navigation bar (often called the navigation bar). home_handle or similarly), and replace it with an Apple-style image.
The sequence of actions for modification:
- Download an iOS-style theme to your phone and copy its file (.mtz) to your computer.
- Open the theme archive and find the image or statusbar folder.
- Replace the existing one PNG-strip file on a pre-prepared graphic element of the desired size and color.
- Pack the theme back and install it on your smartphone through the Themes app.
⚠️ Warning: Editing system theme files can lead to a "bottle" (cyclic reboot) or disappearing interface. Always have a way to reset settings or enter safe mode on hand.
This way you can make the strip perfectly round, change its length or add a glow, which is not possible with standard means, but after each update, the theme will likely have to be repackaged.
Where to find the original graphic elements?
Solving Application Compatibility Issues
Switching to gesture control and changing interface styles can cause conflicts in some applications, especially games and banking programs that use their own screen controls at the bottom of the display.
A common problem is that the bar covers important buttons or, conversely, the app “hide” it, making navigation impossible. In the Xiaomi settings, there is a feature forcing the display of navigation elements.
To resolve conflicts:
- 🛠 Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
- 📱 Find the item related to application compatibility or “Enlarged Hole».
- ✅ Add the problem app to the exclusion list or, conversely, enable forced strip display for it.
It’s also worth checking the settings of a particular application. Some instant messengers or video players have their own interface settings where you can turn off full-screen mode, which will return the standard buttons only for this program.
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If the strip interferes with the review or control in the game, try to turn the smartphone over or temporarily turn off gestures in the game settings, if such an option is provided by the developer.
Impact on autonomy and productivity
Many users worry that the constant rendering of animations and the work of the touch layer for tracking gestures can land a battery. On modern Snapdragon and MediaTek processors, which are used in Xiaomi, the load from the system strip is minimal.
However, using heavy themes and launchers that mimic iOS does increase energy consumption: Constant re-drawing of the interface, live wallpaper and background processes of third-party shells can reduce screen time by 10-15%.
Comparison of the impact on resources:
- 🔋 System gestures: virtually no effect on charge, as it is a native function of the system kernel.
- 🎨 Design topics: minimal impact if there is no complex background animation in the topic.
- 📲 Launchers: Medium or high impact, especially if widgets and live icons are included.
If you notice that the smartphone started to discharge faster after installing the iPhone style, try turning off the extra widgets on the desktop or switch to static wallpaper.