Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often strive to maximize the individualization of their device. One of the most popular visual changes is the installation of transparent navigation buttons that allow you to harmoniously fit the bottom control panel into any background of the desktop or wallpaper. The standard interface MIUI or the new HyperOS does not always offer this option out of the box, but the solution is available and available to every user.
Implementing transparent buttons not only improves aesthetics, but also creates a getting stuck interface, making the screen visually larger. To accomplish this task, you don't need super-user rights or complex manipulation of system files.
The process of changing the appearance of system elements affects the operation of the system launcher and interface components. It is important to understand that transparency can be displayed differently on different versions of the operating system. In some cases, additional functions need to be activated through the developer menu or install specialized plugins, which we will discuss in detail below.
Before you start installing new elements, make sure your device is stable. Transparent buttons are essentially a graphic layer that is superimposed over the main image. If you notice increased battery consumption or micro-twitching of the interface, you might want to give up overly complex animated themes in favor of static transparency.
It’s worth noting that modern versions of Xiaomi’s shells are increasingly moving to gesture control, where physical or screen buttons are absent as a class. However, for those who are used to the classic three buttons (“Back”, “Home”, “Menu”), the question of their visual design remains relevant.
Preparation of the smartphone for customization of the interface
The first step to perfecting the look is getting the device ready, and you need to make sure you have access to the GetThemes store, which is pre-installed on all the brand's devices, and that's where thousands of design options are hidden, including those that change the look of the navigation buttons to the transparent ones.
It is also recommended to back up important data, although a standard change of topic rarely results in loss of information. However, if you plan to use more advanced methods, such as installing modified system fonts or icons, the recovery point will not be superfluous.
Note the version of your operating system: MIUI 12, MIUI 13, MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS may have different theme mechanisms. In newer versions, the system is more closely controlled to change the system security elements, so some old methods may not work without additional utilities.
☑️ Preparation for the installation of transparent buttons
The important thing is to free up RAM before you start work, so close the background applications so that the new theme can be applied smoothly and without automatically restarting the interface halfway, especially for models with 4GB of RAM or less.
Using Built-in Themes to Change Buttons
The easiest and safest way to make navigation buttons transparent is to use the functionality of the Themes app. There are thousands of works by GetThemes catalogue, which not only changed the icon set, but also system elements, including the navigation bar.
To find the right design, search for the keywords “Transparent”, “Clear Nav”, “Invisible Buttons” or simply “Transparent”. When you look at the topic, pay attention to the screenshots in the description: it often shows exactly what buttons look like. Some themes only change icons, leaving the buttons standard, so you need to be careful.
Once you load a theme, take your time to apply it fully. From the preview menu, select the option “Tune theme” or similar. Here you can only (tag) the desired components: “System buttons” or “Navigation bar”, using only this element often allows you to save your favorite wallpapers and widgets, changing only the bottom of the screen.
Why are some topics not fully applied?
It's worth mentioning that free themes often contain ads when they're uploaded. To avoid this, you can turn off the Internet at the time the theme is applied, although this doesn't always work. High-rated paid themes from designers usually don't have those restrictions and ensure that transparency is displayed correctly on all screens.
If the buttons are transparent after applying the theme, but they are not visible in light backgrounds, try changing the wallpaper to darker or more colored ones. Contrast is a key factor in the convenient use of transparent controls. Visual accessibility should not be compromised for the sake of beauty.
Configure via Second Space app and plugins
In some cases, a standard set of themes is not enough and requires specialized plugins. One popular solution is to use the concept of Second Space in conjunction with certain theme settings. This method allows you to “cheat” the system by applying elements from one theme to the main space.
The method is to install a theme with transparent buttons in the second space, then copy configuration files or use specialized modules if the device is unlocked, but for ordinary users, there is a simpler way to use launcher applications or design plugins, such as MIUI Plugin.
The plugin application allows you to customize each element of the interface in detail, after installation and provision of the necessary permissions (via the user interface). ADB Or special debugging menus, you get access to hidden navigation bar settings, where you can choose the style of the Transparent buttons or download your own. PNG-file.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Flexibility of setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard topics | Low. | Tall. | Medium |
| Plugins (Plugin) | Medium | Tall. | Tall. |
| Third-party launchers | Low. | Tall. | Limited. |
| System modification | Tall. | Low. | Maximum |
Using plugins requires careful permissions. Make sure you download the utility from a trusted source, such as the official Xiaomi community or a trusted forum. Malware can access your data by masquerading as a harmless customization tool.
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Only use plugins that have high ratings and fresh reviews. Older versions may conflict with newer MIUI security updates.
Application of third-party launchers for navigation
An alternative to deep system setup is to install a third-party launcher such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Apex Launcher. Although these primarily change the look of the desktop and icons, some of them allow you to hide the standard navigation bar or replace it with your own widgets.
To implement transparent buttons through the launcher, you often need to install an additional navigation plugin. For example, there are applications that create a floating layer with back and home buttons on top of any interface, and these buttons can be made completely transparent, leaving only a light stroke or glow when pressed.
However, this method has its nuances: Third-party launchers can consume more battery life, as they are constantly active in the background, and unlock gestures or fingerprints can work with a slight delay due to conflicting input priorities.
⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, the system may periodically reset its default settings, suggesting that you return to the standard interface.
However, for users who want to drastically change the look of their Redmi or POCO, it’s a great option. You get not just transparent buttons, but completely redesigned logic of interaction with the device. Many launchers support importing profiles, which allows you to quickly transfer settings from another phone.
Solving Transparency Display Problems
Even after a successful theme installation, users may encounter artifacts, such as buttons that can become white squares or disappear altogether, making navigation impossible. Often this involves a theme cache, try applying a standard theme, restart the device, and then re-activate the theme with transparent buttons.
Another common problem is screen resolution incompatibility: On smartphones with a notch-drop or hole in the screen, as well as on devices with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, rendering the transparent layer can be glitchy, in which case it helps to turn off the option “Expand memory” or reduce the refresh rate to 60 Hz for verification.
If the buttons are no longer responsive to the presses, check the settings of special features. Sometimes the gaze control functions or voice assistants can intercept the input focus. Disabling unnecessary services often returns responsiveness to the interface.
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Rebooting to Safe Mode will help determine if a third-party application is to blame for the navigation button display conflict.
In rare cases, the problem lies in the theme file itself. Theme authors don't always test their work on all models. If your Xiaomi Mi 11 theme works perfectly, and the Redmi Note 10 causes errors, then the theme is simply not optimized for a specific resolution or pixel density.
Alternatives: gestures and concealment of the panel
Before you spend time looking for the perfect transparent theme, consider the alternative of completely abandoning buttons in favor of gesture control. In MIUI and HyperOS, this feature is implemented very efficiently. Swipes on the edges of the screen replace buttons, freeing up useful space and making the bottom of the display completely clean.
To enable gestures, go to Settings → Desktop → System Navigation and select Gestures. You can adjust edge sensitivity and animation speed, and this solution looks most modern and natural on frameless screens.
If you need buttons but want to minimize their presence, consider an automatic concealment option. Some themes support the feature where the navigation bar disappears when watching videos or reading books, only appearing when you lightly touch the bottom edge of the screen.
⚠️ Note: When you switch to gestures, some old apps may not correctly define the safe display area by cutting the interface from the bottom.
Choosing between transparent buttons and gestures is a matter of taste. Transparent buttons retain the familiar logic of control, but make the interface easier. Gestures offer a whole new experience of interaction, which, however, you need to get used to, especially users who are switching from button phones or older iPhone models.