How to Remove the Navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi 9: From gestures to ADB

Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners often face a problem: virtual navigation buttons (Back, Home, Recent) take up precious space on the screen, especially on a budget smartphone with a diagonal of 6.53 inches. Even in 2026, many users do not know that these buttons can be completely removed by replacing them with gestures or hiding them through system settings. Moreover, in some MIUI firmware (especially custom) buttons return after updating - and they have to be removed again.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways, including official MIUI settings, ADB commands for power users, and even editing a build.prop file. Importantly, not all methods are equally secure. For example, changing system files without a backup can lead to a bootloop. So before experimenting, check if your version of MIUI supports gestures — this can be done in the Settings → Display → Full-screen Mode.

If you’re a beginner, start with the first method (enable gestures through settings).It works on all versions of Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T) and doesn’t require superuser rights.Savvy users can immediately jump to the ADB or build.prop sections, which have nuances that aren’t covered in the standard guides.

1.Official method: Incorporating gestures into MIUI

The easiest and safest method is to replace the buttons with gestures through standard settings. It works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 10 and later, including the Redmi 9 based on MIUI 12/13/14. The main advantage is that you do not need to install additional programs or obtain root rights.

To activate the gestures:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select Full-screen mode (in some firmware it is called Navigation buttons).
3. Slip on the option of MIUI Gestures (or Full-screen gestures).
4. Follow the on-screen hints to adjust the sensitivity of swipes.

After the reboot, the virtual buttons will disappear, and the management will be carried out by swipes:

• 🔙 Back: swipe from right to left from the edge of the screen.
• 🏠 Home: Swipe up from the bottom edge.
• 📄 Recent: Swipe up with a delay or diagonal swipe.

Important: In some versions of MIUI, a gray transparent bar at the bottom of the screen remains after you turn on gestures. This is not a bug, but a user prompt. To remove it, go to Settings → Additional → Developer and turn off the Show Signs indicator option.

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If gestures are not working smoothly, try to increase the sensitivity of swipes in the full-screen settings, which is especially true for Redmi 9 with a protective glass that can block touches on the edges of the screen.

2. Hiding buttons through developer settings

If you don't like gestures, but the buttons are still in the way, you can hide them, leave them functional, and you'll need to activate the developer mode and change one setting.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
3. Find the Minimum Width option (or Force Fullscreen in English firmware) and set a value of 480 dp.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

After that, the navigation buttons will remain operational, but will become translucent and will automatically disappear after 3 seconds of inactivity.

Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to MIUI)

Backup of important data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Check the version. MIUI (Some options are not available in the old firmware)-->

3. Remove buttons via ADB (no root)

For advanced users who haven't been helped by previous methods, there's a method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to completely disable virtual buttons even if there's no gesture option in the firmware, the advantage is that you don't need superuser rights, but you need to install ADB on your computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes ADB).
2. Turn on the phone debugging over USB (Settings → For developers).
3. Get Redmi on board. 9 To PC and type in the command line: adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*
4. Reset the device.

If the buttons are not gone, try the alternative command:

adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=com.android.systemui

Attention: After use ADB-The notification bar may disappear to return it, swipe top-down twice, and some apps (such as games) may not display properly in full screen.

4.Edit build.prop (root only)

This is the riskiest method, but it gives you maximum control over the display of buttons. It is only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or other root solution. Incorrect editing build.prop can lead to the inability to boot the system!

Algorithm of action:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop and back up the file.
3. Open build.prop in the text editor and add at the end of the line: qemu.hw.mainkeys=1
4. Save the changes, set the rights to 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the phone.

If the buttons have disappeared after the reboot, but the touch gestures don’t work, add another line:

ro.miui.has_navigation_bar=0

⚠️ Attention: on some firmware MIUI For Redmi 9, this method can cause loss of camera functionality or interface display problems. Check compatibility on forums before experimenting (e.g., for example, 4PDA or XDA Developers).

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Editing build.prop is a last resort, and if you are not sure what you are doing, use methods without root (gestures or ADB).

5. applications for hiding buttons (without root)

If you don't want to go through the settings, you can use third-party utilities that don't remove the buttons completely, but make them invisible or replace them with custom gestures.

• 📱 Nacho Notch – hides buttons and notch in the screen, works on the screen MIUI 12+ rootless.
• 🎨 Full Screen Gestures emulates iPhone gestures and allows you to configure swipe zones.
• 🔄 Fluid Navigation Gestures – Replaces buttons with dynamic gestures ADB activate).

Disadvantages of applications: they consume an additional battery and can conflict with MIUI system gestures. For example, Fluid NG sometimes blocks swipes in games. Before installing, check the reviews for your model (Redmi 9 has several modifications: M2003J15SC, M2004J19G, etc.).

Tip: if after installing the application buttons disappeared, but the touch panel remained active, try calibrating the screen in Settings → Display → Sensor calibration.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

For most Redmi 9 users, the best solution is the first or second method (gestures or developer settings). If you are ready for experiments, try ADB, but only after you have created a backup. The method with build.prop is recommended only for advanced users, since it requires deep knowledge of the system.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you delete buttons on Redmi 9, you may experience unexpected bugs, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Buttons come back after rebooting, and this is typical of custom firmware. Solution -- repeat. ADB-Command or edit build.prop again.
• 📵 Swipes do not work in games: turn off full screen mode for a specific application in the settings MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Permits → Full screen mode).
• 🔋 Battery goes down fast: this is a side effect of button-hiding apps. Solution: use official gestures MIUI.
• 🔍 The notification panel is gone: swipe twice from top to bottom or reboot your phone. ADB-Adb shell settings put global policy_control null*

⚠️ Note: if you have manipulated build.prop or ADB phone stopped loading, try to go to Recovery Mode (clip the power supply) + Volume up) and make Wipe Cache. If that didn't work, you'll need to flash it over the Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions