Redmi and Poco smartphone owners often face the challenge of changing the way they manage their interfaces. The standard three buttons at the bottom of the screen can seem uncomfortable, especially on today’s large-sized devices, where it’s important to use every pixel of usable space. The switch to gesture control frees up space and makes using the gadget more modern and faster, although it takes some time to get used to.
Xiaomi, in the MIUI shell and now in HyperOS, provides users with flexible tools to customize system navigation. You can not just switch between the two modes, but also fine-tune their behavior to your needs. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from standard settings to hidden engineering menus, which will help you to make the control of the device as comfortable as possible.
Note that the layout of the elements may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (Chinese or global) and the model of your smartphone. However, the basic principles remain unchanged for the entire Android ecosystem based on MIUI. Let's look at how to quickly and safely make the necessary changes without installing third-party software.
Standard way to switch through settings
The easiest and safest way to change the type of navigation is built directly into your smartphone’s system menu, so you don’t need root access or a computer connection. Just open the Settings app and follow the Main Menu → Additional Settings → Full-screen display. That’s where the key switch that determines the logic of the bottom of the screen works.
In the menu that opens, you'll see two main options: using classic buttons or gesture control. In the second option, the system will offer you a short tutorial video or an interactive demo showing how swipes work, which is especially useful for those who are moving from old models where the physical or software home button was the only way to return to the desktop.
Special attention should be paid to the Hide Hint option, which, if you've chosen gesture control, but there's a thin bar at the bottom of the screen that can be removed, which will make the interface cleaner, but may reduce the visual clarity of the control for new users, and it needs validation because it changes the visual style of the entire system.
It's important to understand that the switching happens instantly, without the need to reboot the device. However, if you use third-party launchers or themes, the interface may not be updated immediately, in which case it's enough to simply unlock and lock the screen again to make the changes fully effective.
☑️ Check before changing navigation
Some users have noted that after updating the firmware settings can reset to factory. If you are used to a certain type of control, it makes sense to check this menu item after each major update of the security system or Android version.
Use of hidden engineering menu
For advanced users who don’t have the standard options, the hidden engineering menu is accessed through a special code, which allows you to access additional navigation settings that are hidden from the average user. To get there, open the Phone app and type the combination ##6484## or ##4636##, although the exact code can vary depending on the processor model.
You have to be very careful in the engineering menu, changing unfamiliar parameters can lead to unstable system operation. UI-Here you can sometimes find options to force certain types of gestures to be turned on or off that are not displayed in the normal settings menu.
⚠️ Warning: Entering the engineering menu and changing parameters without understanding their purpose can cause software failure. Take screenshots of the original values before making any changes so you can roll back.
One of the most useful functions available through ADB-commands (which can be entered in the terminal or through a computer) are the ability to hide the navigation bar forcibly:
adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*This command causes the system to hide the controls for maximum immersion, and to get it back to where it was, it uses a command with a null parameter, which gives you flexibility that you can't get through the standard interface, allowing you to create unique use cases for the interface.
What is ADB and why is it needed?
Sensitivity and Return Zone setting
One of the common problems with switching to gestures is that the menu return or call functions are accidentally triggered. The MIUI system allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the edges of the screen. If swipes are too easy or the phone does not respond to finger movements, you should look at the appropriate settings.
In the section Additional settings → Special features → Touch screen (the path may differ in different versions) you can find a sensitivity slider. Increasing this parameter helps those who use protective glass thicknesses. However, to adjust the gesture zone return often requires the use of third-party applications or deeper settings through Developer Options.
- 📱 Return Zone: Determines how far from the edge of the screen the swipe should start to activate the function".
- ⚡ Animation speed: Affects how quickly the interface responds to your movements, creating a sense of speed.
- 🚫 Ignoring: A random press protection feature that blocks the edges of the screen when the phone is in your pocket or lying on the table.
Calibrating these parameters correctly greatly improves the user experience. If you make mistakes often and go to the desktop instead of returning, try reducing the width of the swipe active zone, which will require a more accurate finger movement from the edge, but eliminate false positives.
Solving problems with displaying the navigation strip
A common complaint users have is that a white or black bar appears at the bottom of the screen when gestures are turned on, which is used to indicate the swipe area, but many people are not comfortable with the content. Xiaomi’s standard settings have a Hide Hint switch, but it doesn’t work in all apps.
If the standard method didn't work, the problem could be in a particular application. Some programs, especially old or not optimized for modern screens, can force navigation elements to display, in which case it helps to enable compatibility mode in screen settings or use the "Screen Extension" function for older applications.
It's also worth checking out the theme. Third-party themes downloaded from Themes store can override system styles and return strips even when hiding is active. Try switching to a standard Classic or Default theme to see if the theme is the cause of the problem.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The strip doesn't hide | A third-party theme is active | Replace the topic with a standard one |
| Gestures don't work in the game | Do Not Disturb or Game Turbo | Set up exceptions in Game Turbo |
| Swipe returns to menu | Too wide an activation zone | Reduce the sensitivity of edges |
| The keyboard's gone. | Full-screen conflict | Reset the device |
In some cases, cleaning the cache of the system application System UI helps. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the system interface in the list and click Clear Cache. This will not delete your data, but update the graphical interface.
Comparison of navigation with buttons and gestures
Choosing between buttons and gestures is a matter of habit and ergonomics. Classic buttons provide clear visual feedback: you can always see where the home or back button is, which reduces errors, especially in stressful situations or when using your phone with one hand on the go.
Gestures, in turn, offer a smoother and more modern experience, allowing you to reach any part of the screen with your thumb without intercepting the device, especially for smartphones with a diagonal of more than 6.5 inches, and the lack of static elements makes the interface cleaner and more aesthetic.
💡
Use swipe up and hold to quickly switch between the latest apps. This action opens up the multitasking menu faster than double-clicking the home button.
In terms of speed, gestures are often more responsive, because they are tied to the direct movement of the finger, rather than the programmatic response of the tap. However, on low-end models with low sensor survey rates, the difference may be subtle or even noticeable in the form of delays.
⚠️ Note: When using protective glasses with thick black frames, the swipe area may narrow. In this case, the use of buttons may be a more reliable option, since it does not depend on the sensitivity of the edges of the screen.
For users who frequently play mobile games, gestures can be a nuisance due to random swipes during active gameplay, and in such cases, many prefer to temporarily switch to buttons or use the Do Not Disturb mode with navigation lock, which is automatically activated in games.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return the buttons if I accidentally hid the strip and don't know how to swipe?
Why does my Xiaomi not have a full screen display item?
Does the change in navigation affect battery consumption?
How to set up gestures to work like an iPhone (swipe only from one edge)?
What if after updating the firmware all navigation settings are lost?
💡
The flexibility of navigation settings is one of the main advantages of MIUI, allowing you to adapt your smartphone to the habits of any user, whether conservative or innovator.
To sum up, switching to gestures or returning to buttons on Xiaomi devices is a personal process. The system provides all the necessary tools for comfortable work, and understanding the hidden possibilities eliminates minor inconveniences. Experiment with settings to find the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality.