How to set or remove the strip at the bottom of the screen on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: all ways

The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its MIUI interface is not always intuitive. Many users are faced with the lower navigation bar (panels with back, home, recent buttons), which takes up precious space on the screen. Some want to remove it altogether, some want to change the appearance, and some are looking for a way to return it after an accidental shutdown.

In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios, from classical concealment through settings to alternative methods using gestures or third-party applications, and pay special attention to the nuances of MIUI 12, 13 and 14 firmware, because the algorithms are different, and you will learn why the strip can appear or disappear on its own and how to fix it without resetting.

What is the Redmi 9A Lower Strip and Why You Need It

The bottom navigation bar (also called the soft bar or navigation bar) is a virtual replacement for the physical buttons below the screen. On the Redmi 9A, it has three buttons by default:

• 🔙 Back – returns to the previous screen or closes the application.
• 🏠 Home - Returns to the main screen.
• 📄 Recent – Opens a list of recent apps.

Newer versions of MIUI (starting with 12.5) can use gesture navigation instead of the classic buttons, where the bar at the bottom of the screen becomes a thin line or disappears altogether, but the Redmi 9A with factory firmware is most often the standard version.

The main reasons why users want to change it:

• 📱 Space savings – strip takes up to 5% of the screen usable area.
• 🎨 Aesthetics – not everyone likes their design, especially in the AMOLED-screens (although Redmi has a 9A IPS).
• 🔄 Habit – Those who switched from iPhones or smartphones with gesture navigation want a similar experience.
• 🛠️ Failures – sometimes the panel disappears or duplicates after updates.

How to remove the bar at the bottom of the screen through standard settings

The easiest way to hide the navigation bar is to switch to gesture navigation, which is built-in in MIUI, but the path to it may vary depending on the firmware version.

Instructions for Redmi 9A:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Display section.
3. Select Full-screen mode (in some versions – Navigation buttons).
4. Slip by Navigation Type and select Gesture Navigation or Full-screen gestures.
5. Confirm the selection and restart the device (optional, but recommended for stability).

And then the bottom bar will disappear, and instead, there will be a thin white line at the bottom of the screen, and you will be able to swipe it.

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge - return to the main screen.
• 👆➡️ Swipe Up and Hold – Opening Recent Apps.
• 👈 or 👉 Swipe from the edge of the screen - action "Back».

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may have different paths to settings. If you don't find Full Screen Mode, try updating. MIUI Up to the latest version or use alternative methods from the following sections.

How to return the strip if it is missing

If the bottom panel suddenly disappeared, it could have happened for several reasons:

• 🔄 Accidental switching to gesture navigation.
• 📱 Failure after update MIUI.
• 🛠️ The influence of third-party applications (for example, launchers such as Nova Launcher).
• 🔋 Activation of the charge saving mode (in rare cases).

To return the classic buttons:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
2. Select the navigation buttons (or three buttons).
3. If there is no item, try resetting the launcher settings: press the empty space on the home screen → Screen settings → Reset the settings.

If the panel does not return, check:

• 📌 Is the mode for children activated (it can block changes to the interface).
• 🔒 Are there any restrictions on settings → Special facilities → Simplified regime.
• 🛠️ Are rights not established? ADB For third-party applications (if you have previously used them).

Alternative ways to hide the strip (without root)

If the standard method doesn't work or you want more flexible setup, you can use third-party solutions, and most of them require USB debugging and additional utilities.

Method 1: Appendix Nacho Notch

This app allows you to hide the navigation bar and other system elements without rooting.

1. Download Nacho Notch from Google Play.

Method 2: Nova Launcher Launcher

Nova Launcher doesn't remove the strip completely, but it allows you to make it translucent or hide behind wallpaper.

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Click the empty space on the main screen → Settings → Docking station panel.
3. Turn off the option to Show the docking station panel.
4. Return to Settings Nova → Appearance and set Hide Navigation Bar (if available).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB And third-party utilities can cause unstable smartphone operation or interface failures. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

How to change the appearance of the strip (color, transparency, buttons)

There are limited options for customizing the navigation bar in MIUI, but these can be extended with additional tools.

Method 1: Change color through settings

The default bar is black or translucent, but in some MIUI themes, the color changes to apply a different theme:

1. Open the Themes app (brush icon on the home screen).
2. Choose any theme marked System or Navigation.
3. Apply it and restart the device.

Method 2: NavBar Apps App

This utility allows:

• 🔄 Adds additional buttons (for example, for quick access to Google Assistant).

Work is required ADB permit WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS (similarly to Nacho Notch).

Method 3: Manual editing (for advanced)

If you have root rights, you can edit the file /system/build.prop by adding a line:

qemu.hw.mainkeys=1

This will lead to the complete concealment of virtual buttons, but it will become more difficult to control the phone – you will need to use gestures or external buttons (for example, via a Bluetooth keyboard).

💡

If the color change makes the bar appear poorly on some wallpaper, try turning on the "Dark Theme" option in the display settings. This will automatically adjust the contrast of the buttons.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you're working with the navigation bar on Redmi 9A, you're going to see some common errors.

Problem 1: The strip appears on top of the keyboard

This prevents you from entering text in messengers or browsers.

• Open any app with a keyboard (like WhatsApp).
• Swipe the strip down - it should temporarily disappear.
• If it doesn’t help, install the Gboard keyboard and activate the option to Show the navigation bar when you type it in.

Problem 2: Buttons do not respond to pressing

This is most often related to:

• 🛠️ Launcher failure - restart the phone.
• 📱 Sensor damage – check for touch response in other parts of the screen.
• 🔄 Conflict with gesture navigation – return the standard buttons in the settings.

Problem 3: The strip has become too wide or narrow

This can happen after updating MIUI or changing the screen resolution.

1. Reset the display settings: Settings → Display → Reset screen settings.
2. If it doesn’t work, check the screen density (DPI) through ADB: adb shell wm density 320 (320 is the standard value for Redmi 9A).

💡

If after manipulating the navigation panel, the phone began to brake, reset the cache through recovery: turn off the device, press Power + Volume up, select Wipe Cache Partition.

Gesture and button navigation comparison: what’s best for the Redmi 9A

The choice between classic buttons and gestures depends on your habits and usage scenarios. Consider the pros and cons of each option:

For the Redmi 9A, we recommend:

• 👍 Gesture navigation – if you actively use instant messengers, games or watch videos (more screen area).
• 👎 Classic buttons – if you are used to traditional management or often give the phone to elderly relatives.

Remember, Redmi 9A with MIUI 12 and below may not be as stable as newer versions. If you encounter bugs, go back to the buttons or update your firmware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions