How to Remove the Buttons from Xiaomi’s Screen: A Complete Guide to Hiding Navigation and System Elements

Virtual navigation buttons, a floating toolbar or system hints on Xiaomi’s screen can take up precious display space, especially on devices with a small diagonal or non-standard aspect ratio. If you want to maximize the screen workspace, hide annoying interface elements or just experiment with alternative controls, this article will help you understand all the nuances.

The process of removing buttons from the screen depends on which elements you want to hide: classic navigation buttons (back, home, recent), gesture prompts in full-screen gesture mode, notification bar or system icons (for example, charging indicator).We will look at the official MIUI settings, hidden features for power users and even options using third-party applications - taking into account all the limitations and risks.

It is important to note that some methods may conflict with the MIUI shell or require superuser rights (root), so we recommend backing up the data before making changes, or at least remembering the original settings.

1. How to remove classic navigation buttons (three dots at the bottom of the screen)

The standard navigation buttons (Back, Home, Recent) occupy up to 10% of the bottom of the screen, and can be replaced with full-screen gestures, an official MIUI feature that does not require additional apps or root rights.

To switch to gesture control:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select Full Screen Mode (or Navigation Bar in older versions of MIUI).
3. Slip the option of full-screen gestures (or MIUI gestures).
4. Confirm your choice and check the management tips (e.g. swipe from the bottom up to return to the home screen).

Once activated, the classic buttons will disappear and their functions will be available via swipes from the bottom edge of the screen. If gestures seem uncomfortable, you can always go back to the buttons in the same menu.

2. Hiding the navigation bar through the developer (for power users)

If full-screen gestures don't work for you, but you still want to remove the navigation buttons, you can use the developer mode, which allows you to completely hide the panel, but you need to be careful, because if you don't set up correctly, you can lose access to the control of the smartphone.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You're a developer!").

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Minimize the navigation panel

Hide the navigation panel

Reset the device.

After the reboot, the navigation bar will disappear, but it will become more difficult to control the smartphone – you will need to use gestures or third-party utilities to return to the home screen. On some Xiaomi models (for example, the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), this method can lead to sensor malfunctions – check compatibility in advance.

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If after hiding the navigation panel, the smartphone stopped responding to swipes, connect it to the PC and use the command adb shell wm overscan. 0,0,0,-100, temporarily return the buttons.

3. Delete virtual buttons with ADB (no root)

For users who do not want to activate the developer mode or face the limitations of MIUI, there is an alternative - ADB commands. This method allows you to flexibly configure the display of buttons without getting root rights.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and utility ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (in Settings) → For developers).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
3. To hide the navigation bar, do: adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*
4. Use the following buttons: adb shell settings put global policy_control null

This technique temporarily hides the navigation bar until the next reboot, so for permanent effect, you can create a task in Automate or Tasker that will apply the command when you start the system.

4. Hiding system buttons and icons (time, battery, notifications)

In addition to the navigation bar, the Xiaomi screen displays system elements: charging indicator, notification icons, clocks and communication icons, which can be hidden through settings or third-party applications.

Official means:

• 🕒 Hours and Date: Go to Settings → Lock screen → Watch style and select the option "Without the clock".
• 🔋 Charging indicator: C Settings → Battery → Charging indicator settings turn off the option "Show percentage".
• 📶 Network icons: in Settings → Notifications and status bar → Status icons can be turned off display Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Flight Mode.

For a deeper setup (for example, hiding the notification bar completely), you will need applications like Nacho Notch or Immersive Mode.

• Hide the status bar in certain applications.
• Adjust the transparency of the navigation panel.
• Block notifications from the entire screen.

Check out the MIUI version (some settings are not available in MIUI 12 and below)

Create a Recovery Point in Recovery (in case of failures)

Turn off important notifications (calls, SMS) manually so you don’t miss them

Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) for backup control-->

5. Problems and risks when removing buttons from the screen

Not all button hiding methods are equally safe, and the following are typical problems and solutions:

Especially careful should be the owners of devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi 13 or Xiao) POCO F5). Incorrect overscan settings can cause pixels to burn out at the bottom of the display if the navigation bar is hidden incorrectly.

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Before experimenting with ADB or developer mode, always check that the team is compatible with your Xiaomi model. For example, on Redmi 10 and POCO M4 Pro, some immersive-mode settings work differently than on flagships.

6. Alternative control methods without buttons

If you have removed the buttons from the screen completely, but the gesture control of the MIUI seems uncomfortable, consider the alternatives:

• 🎮 Game triggers: on Game Turbo-enabled devices (e.g. Black Shark 5 or Game Turbo-enabled devices) POCO F4 GT) You can assign physical buttons to the body for navigation.
• 🖱️ Mouse by mouse. USB/Bluetooth: Connect the wireless mouse and use it to control (works in mode) USB-OTG).
• 🤖 Voice Assistant: Activate Google Assistant or Xiao AI and control your smartphone with your voice (e.g., “Open Settings” or “Go Back").
• 📱 Side launchers: Nova Launcher or Lawnchair lets you customize your own gestures and hide system elements.

For infrared-port devices (such as the Xiaomi Mi 10T), you can even program the remote control for basic control – but this will require additional applications like the IR Blaster.

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If you use your smartphone with one hand often, try activating One Hand Mode in Settings → Special Options → One Hand Control. This will reduce the screen workspace and make gestures easier.

7 How to get the buttons back if something goes wrong

If after experimenting with settings, the screen stopped responding to touches or the navigation buttons disappeared without the ability to return them through the menu, use one of these methods:

1. Gesture reset via ADB: adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural This command will return standard MIUI gestures even if the navigation bar is hidden.
2. Hardware reset: Turn off your smartphone. Press the Power button + Volume up until the MIUI logo appears. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe data (this will delete all data!).

Recovery with the Mi Flash Tool

• Download the stock firmware for your model from the official website.
• Fastboot it through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.

If your smartphone doesn’t even respond to a PC connection, try pinching Power Button + Volume down for 20 seconds for a forced reboot. In extreme cases, contact Xiaomi’s service center – but note that the warranty may not cover damage after manual settings.

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On devices with a locked bootloader (such as the Xiaomi 12T for the European market), a hardware reset may require authorization of your Mi Account. Make sure you remember your login and password!

FAQ: Frequent questions about hiding buttons on Xiaomi