How to set up swipes on Xiaomi: a complete guide to gestures in the MIUI

Swipes (gestures) on Xiaomi smartphones are not just an alternative to the classic navigation buttons, but a full-fledged tool to speed up work with the device. With their help, you can quickly switch between applications, go back, open the notification bar or even activate hidden functions. MIUI. However, many users still do not use swipes to the fullest extent - either due to not knowing all the features, or due to incorrect configuration.

In this article, we will discuss all types of swipes on Xiaomi (including Redmi models, POCO And Black Shark, we'll show you how to turn them on, calibrate them, and adapt them to your needs, and we'll focus on typical problems, like when gestures are delayed or in conflict with applications. MIUI 14 that are not in the standard settings.

What swipes are on Xiaomi and what they are responsible for

V MIUI There are several types of gestures available, and the set depends on the firmware version and the smartphone model:

• 🔄 System gestures replace the classic "back", "home" and "recent" buttons, run at the OS level and are configured in the system settings.
• 📱 In-app gestures – unique swipes for specific programs (for example, in the Xiaomi Gallery or the Browser). MIUI). Their settings are usually hidden in the menu of the apps themselves.
• 🔧 Hidden gestures – undocumented combinations that activate additional functions (e.g., swipe over the lock screen to trigger a flashlight).

Here is a table with the main system swipes and their actions in the MIUI 12–14:

Starting with MIUI 13, There are additional options for customizing gestures, such as adjusting the back swipe sensitivity or turning off random scrolling. 13/14 series added gestures for a separate screen (multi-window).

How to turn on swipes on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

By default, new Xiaomi smartphones can include either classic navigation buttons or gestures. If you want to switch to swipes (or vice versa), do the following:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select Full-screen mode (in some versions – Navigation on the system).
3. Slip on Gesture Navigation (or Gestures) MIUI).
4. Choose one of the options: 🔘 Swipe. MIUI — Standard gestures (recommended for most users). 🔘 Android Gestures – Alternative Style (similar to “Pure” Android). 🔘 Navigation buttons – returns the classic three buttons.

After you select the gestures, the system will offer you a short learning, which you can do to understand the basic combinations. If the swipes are not working correctly (for example, they are triggered by accident), go back to the settings and calibrate the sensitivity:

• 📏 In the Gesture Navigation menu, find Sensitivity settings.
• 🎯 Adjust sliders for back and home swipes (the more left-handed, the less chance of accidental triggering).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to make changes take effect.

Swipe from the bottom up returns to the main screen|

The swipe from the edge of the screen works as "Back"|

The recent menu opens with swipe retention|

Gestures do not conflict with apps (for example, on YouTube or Chrome)-->

If the swipes still don’t work after setting up, check:

• 🛠️ Is there a conflict with shells (for example, Nova Launcher or HyperOS).
• 📱 Is the firmware updated to the latest version (in older versions) MIUI gestures can glitch).
• 🔧 Is the mode for the visually impaired activated in the settings of special features.

Hidden swipes on Xiaomi: what can be activated

In addition to the standard gestures, the MIUI There are some undocumented combinations that make it easier to use your smartphone:

• 🔦 Quick flashlight start: swipe down the lock screen (works on most models except for the scalp-down switchboard) POCO F-series).
• 📸 Camera Launch: Double pressing the volume button (configured in Settings) → Buttons and gestures → Button gestures).
• 🔇 Fast sound shutdown: swipe down the notification panel with your finger held on the volume icon.
• 🔄 Switching between the latest apps: swipe right on the bottom panel (in gesture navigation mode).
• 📱 Screenshot: Swipe three fingers down (included in Settings) → Additionally. → Screenshot).

On Xiaomi models 12/13/14 There's another hidden gesture in the series, a double tap on the back to trigger any action (like opening an app or turning on a flashlight) to activate it:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Double-touch gestures.
2. Turn on the option and select the action (available: start the camera, flashlight, Google Assistant, etc.).
3. 🔧 Calibrate your sensitivity if the gesture is triggered by accident.

Nana POCO-smartphones (e.g., smartphones, POCO X5 or POCO F4) Some gestures may differ due to customized firmware. To see all the options available, check the Settings menu. → System settings → Gestures.

What to do if the swipes do not work or are glitched

Gesture problems on Xiaomi are usually due to one of four factors: firmware, third-party apps, sensitivity settings, or hardware malfunctions.

⚠️ Note: If the swipes stopped working after the update MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot. In some builds (e.g, MIUI 14.0.4 for Redmi Note 11) were bugs with gestures that were fixed only in the following patches.

1. Conflict with third-party applications

Some launchers (like Nova Launcher or Apex Launcher) can block system gestures to check for this:

• 🛠️ Temporarily install a standard launcher MIUI (In the launcher settings, select the launcher by default).
• 🔍 Check the swipes – if they work, the problem is in the third-party launcher.
• 🔧 In the alternative launcher settings, find Navigation gestures and turn it off.

2. Incorrect sensitivity settings

If the back swipe works when you scroll through the browser, it means the sensitivity is too high.

1. Go to Settings. → Display. → Full screen mode → Sensitivity adjustment.
2. Reduce the sensitivity for the Back swipe (move the slider to the left).
3. 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.

3. Programmatic failures

If your gestures are unstable (they don’t work), try:

• 🔄 Restart the device in safe mode (hold the power button) → "Safe Mode Reboot. If it has swipes running, it's one of the apps installed that's to blame.
• 🗑️ Clear the system cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Clear the cache of all applications.
• 📱 Reset gesture settings: Settings → Display. → Full screen mode → Resetting gesture settings.

Hardware problems

If swipes don’t work only in a certain part of the screen (for example, the back swipe on the left edge doesn’t work), this may indicate:

• 📱 Sensor problems (especially after falling or getting moisture).
• 🔧 Display plume malfunction (frequent problem with Redmi Note) 9/10 screen-change).
• 🔋 Overheating of the processor (at a high load, the system can block part of the gestures).

For diagnosis, use the sensor test:

1. Dial ##6484## (or #4636## → "Testing").
2. Select Touch Test and check if the screen responds to touch across all zones.
3. If there are “dead” zones, bring your smartphone to the service.

💡

If swipes are not working properly after changing the screen, try to reflash your smartphone via Fastboot with complete data cleaning. Often the problem lies in the incompatibility of the new display with firmware.

How to Set Up Swipes in Specific Applications

Many of Xiaomi’s standard apps support unique gestures that don’t duplicate in the system settings, and here are the most useful ones:

To enable or disable these gestures:

1. Open the appropriate application (for example, the Gallery).
2. Tap on three points (menu) → Settings.
3. Find the Gestures or Control section.
4. Activate/deactivate the necessary options.

In some applications (for example, in the browser) MIUI) You can set up additional gestures:

• 🔍 Quick Search: Swipe down the page opens the search bar.
• 📋 Copying text: swipe on a selected fragment with retention.
• 🔗 Opening in a new window: swipe on the link to the left.

Nana POCO Launcher and HyperOS (for Xiaomi) 13/14) You can have advanced gesture settings for the desktop, for example, you can assign them to the desktop:

• 📱 Swipe up on the app icon - opening widgets.
• 🔄 Swipe down on the desktop - search by device.
• 📂 Pinch gesture (pinch) – transition to screen editing mode.

Swipes on Xiaomi with unlocked bootloader: advanced features

If you unlocked the bootloader on your Xiaomi, you can install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that offers advanced gesture settings.

• 🔧 Customize gestures for iPhone: swipe from the bottom in the center for returning to the home screen, swipe and retention for multitasking.
• 📱 Adding gestures for screenshots: for example, swipe three fingers to the left for a partial screenshot.
• 🔄 Activating gestures for media management: swipe through the status bar for switching tracks.
• 🛠️ Installation of Magisk modules for additional gestures (e.g. Fluid Navigation Gestures).

For custom gestures:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Firmware with support for advanced gestures (such as crDroid or Havoc-OS).
4. In the new firmware settings, find the System section → Gestures and customize gestures to yourself.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device and may result in a loss of warranty. on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) After the unblocking, Widevine stops working. L1 (no HD into Netflix/Disney+).

If you don’t want to install custom firmware but want more gestures, try the apps from Google Play:

• 📱 Fluid Navigation Gestures adds gestures similar to the iPhone X.
• 🔧 Edge Gestures – allows you to assign actions to swipes from the edges of the screen.
• 🎵 Power Shade – Extended gestures for notification panel.

Before installing third-party gesture apps, turn off battery optimization for them, otherwise they may not work in the background:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select a gesture app (e.g. Fluid) NG).
3. Slip on Background Limitation → No restrictions.
4. Enable AutoRun: Settings → Permissions → AutoRun.

Swipes on Xiaomi in games: how to disable random positives

One of the most common problems for gamers on Xiaomi is that gestures are triggered accidentally while playing, such as swiping from the edge of the screen can throw you out of the game. PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact to the home screen:

1. Disable gestures in game mode

V MIUI 12+ There is a built-in turbo game mode that blocks system swipes:

1. Open Settings → Special features → Game turbo mode.
2. Turn on the option and add the game to the list.
3. Activate the navigation gesture blocking.

Configuring the "safety zone"

If you do not want to completely turn off gestures, you can narrow the area of their operation:

1. Go to Settings. → Display. → Full screen mode → Sensitivity adjustment.
2. Select the "Back" Gesture Operation Area.
3. Narrow the swipe area to a minimum (for example, only the extreme 5mm screen).

3. Use of third-party applications

Apps like Game Tools or Gesture Blocker allow you to temporarily disable gestures while playing, install them from Google Play and add the game to exceptions.

4 Manually disabling gestures before play

If nothing helps, you can switch to the navigation buttons:

• 📱 Add to the desktop widget Navigation Mode (long press on the screen) → "Widgets" → "Settings").
• 🔧 Before starting the game, tap on the widget and select Navigation buttons.
• 🔄 After the game, return to the gestures.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Black Shark 5), system gestures automatically turn off when you start games through Shark Space. MIUI App Store.

FAQ: Frequent questions about swipes on Xiaomi