How to set up gestures on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is a popular smartphone with flexible interface configuration capabilities. One of the key features that makes it much easier to interact with the device is gesture control. Instead of traditional navigation buttons (back, home, recent), you can use intuitive swipes on the screen, but many users do not know how to properly activate and optimize this feature.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to enable gestures on the Redmi Note 9, what navigation options are available in the app. MIUI, You will also learn how to hide the navigation bar for maximum immersive experience, and what additional chips are hidden in the system. MIUI 12–14.

What gestures support Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones offer three main types of navigation:

  • πŸ“± Classic buttons – traditional three buttons at the bottom of the screen (back, home, recent apps) suitable for those who are used to the old interface.
  • πŸ‘† Navigation bar gestures are swipes on the bottom panel (similar to buttons but with gestures.
  • ✨ Full-screen gestures -- swipes from the edge of the screen without a visual panel -- as modern and immersive as possible.

The Redmi Note 9 usually has classic buttons activated by default, but you can switch to gestures in a pair of taps. It is important to note that full-screen gestures on MIUI work differently than on pure Android – it uses the unique logic of swipes from the side edges.

MIUI also has hidden gestures for quick access to the functions:

  • πŸ”„ Double tap on the back – start the camera, flashlight or other application.
  • πŸ“² Swipe down the home screen – opening the notification bar.
  • πŸ” Holding your finger on the lock screen – activating the voice assistant.

πŸ“Š What type of navigation you use on your smartphone?
Classic buttons
Panel gestures
Full-screen gestures
I don't know what it is.

How to turn on gestures on Redmi Note 9: step-by-step instructions

To activate gestures, follow the following steps:

  1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
  2. Go to the Display section.
  3. Select the Full Screen Display option.
  4. Slip on the Navigation Type (or Navigation Type in newer versions of MIUI).
  5. Choose one of the options: πŸ”˜ Gestures with navigation panel - swipes on the lower band. πŸ”˜ Full-screen gestures - swipes from the edges of the screen.

Confirm the choice and restart the smartphone (recommended for proper operation).

If the gestures are unstable after activation, check if they conflict with the protective film or cover. Sometimes too thick accessories block the touch swipes at the edges.

β˜‘οΈ Checking before setting up gestures

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Warning: Some Redmi Note 9 firmware may miss the status bar charging indicator after full-screen gestures are turned on. MIUI β€” The indicator is transferred to the notification panel.

Setup full-screen gestures: nuances and hidden functions

Full-screen gestures on Xiaomi have a unique logic different from Google Pixel or Samsung.

Gesture.Action.Alternative
Swipe up from the bottom edgeReturn to the home screenRetention β†’ Opening Google Assistant
Swipe up and holdOpening of recent applicationsQuick switch between the last two applications
Swipe from right to left on the bottom edgeGoing backIt doesn’t work in some apps (like YouTube)
Swipe diagonally from the cornerCalling Google AssistantYou can turn off the gesture settings

One of the most useful things is to switch between applications quickly.

  1. Swipe up from the bottom edge and hold your finger for 0.5 seconds.
  2. Without releasing your finger, swipe left or right to switch.

Another common mistake is to conflict with gestures from third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher).

  1. Open the launcher settings.
  2. Find the Gestures or Navigation section.
  3. Turn off conflicting swipes or prioritize system gestures.

πŸ’‘

If gestures are unstable in cold weather, try to warm your smartphone in your hands – the touch sensors on the Redmi Note 9 are temperature sensitive.

Additional gestures in MIUI: hidden opportunities

In addition to standard navigation, MIUI offers a number of hidden gestures that make smartphone usage much easier:

  • πŸ“Έ Double tap on the lock screen - quick start of the camera or flashlight. β†’ Screen locking β†’ Double touch.
  • πŸ”‹ Triple press of the power button - call SOS Or start an application. Setup: Settings. β†’ Special facilities β†’ Power button.
  • 🎡 The "V" gesture for music control is swipe two fingers down the lock screen. It only works on the Mi Music player.
  • πŸ” Search gesture – swipe down the home screen opens search by device.

The "Raise to Wake Up" gesture (Settings β†’ Display β†’ Raise to Wake Up) allows you to turn on the screen by simply lifting your smartphone without pressing the buttons, which saves time and reduces wear and tear on the mechanical power button.

For fans of multitasking, a separate screen gesture is useful:

  1. Open Recent Apps (swipe up with a delay).
  2. Hold the app icon and drag it up or down.
  3. Choose the second application for multitasking.

πŸ’‘

Additional gestures in MIUI are often disabled by default. Check them in Settings β†’ Special Features β†’ Gestures and activate the ones you need.

How to hide the navigation bar for full screen mode

If you’ve chosen gestures with a navigation bar but want to remove the visual bar for maximum immersive experience, do the following:

  1. Activate full-screen gestures (instruction above).
  2. Go to Settings β†’ Display β†’ Full-screen display β†’ Hide the notch.
  3. Enable the option to Hide the navigation bar (some versions of MIUI call it the Transparent Panel).
  4. For full cover, use immersive viewing mode: adb shell settings put global force_fullscreen_ime 1 Developer Mode and Connection Required ADB.

After these actions, the navigation bar will be hidden, but the gestures will remain working. Note that in some applications (for example, Instagram or Chrome), the panel may temporarily appear when scrolling - this is a feature of MIUI.

⚠️ Note: Hiding the navigation bar through ADB This method can cause some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) to malfunction.

Comparison of gestures on Redmi Note 9 and other Xiaomi smartphones

The gesture logic on the Redmi Note 9 is different from other Xiaomi models and smartphones on pure Android.

Model/FirmwareSwipe back.Swipe up (home)Long swipe up.
Redmi Note 9 (MIUI 12–14)Swipe from right to left on the bottom edgeShort swipe up.Opening of recent applications
Poco X3 (MIUI for POCO)Swipe from left or right edgeShort swipe up.Long hold. β†’ Google Assistant
Google Pixel (Android 13)Swipe from the edge of the screenShort swipe up.Retention β†’ Recent applications
Samsung Galaxy (One UI)Swipe from the edge with a delayShort swipe up.Swipe up and left β†’ the last application

As you can see from the table, the Redmi Note 9 takes a hybrid approach: swiping backwards at the bottom edge, rather than from the sides, as Google or Samsung does. This may seem uncomfortable at first, but you quickly get used to it.

If you’ve switched from another smartphone and can’t get used to Xiaomi gestures, try installing a third-party launcher (like Microsoft Launcher) that supports alternative navigation, but note that some MIUI features, such as fast-switching between apps or immersive mode, may be missing.

FAQ: Frequent questions about gestures on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Can you customize gestures separately for each application?
No, standard MIUI firmware doesn't have that feature, but you can use applications like Fluid Navigation Gestures to create custom gestures for specific programs.
Why does the backup swipe not work in some games?
This is because games often block system gestures to prevent accidental clicks.Solution: Add the game to exceptions in Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Game Turbo. Use the back button on the retractable bar (swipe right in the menu of recent apps).
How to turn off vibration when gestures are triggered?
Go to Settings β†’ Sound and Vibration β†’ System Vibration and turn off the Vibration option when touching. Alternatively, you can turn off gesture-only vibration in Settings β†’ Additional settings β†’ Gestures β†’ Vibration when gestures.
Can I get my old MIUI 11 gestures back?
No, since MIUI 12, the logic of gestures has changed dramatically, but you can install an alternative launcher (like Lawnchair) that supports old swipes, but that will turn off some system features.
Why did gestures work differently after the MIUI update?
Newer versions of MIUI (13-14) have changed the sensitivity and logic of swipes. To return the same behavior: Reset gesture settings: Settings β†’ System β†’ Reset settings β†’ Reset interface settings. Update firmware to the latest version (sometimes bugs are fixed in patches).