How to Hide or Remove Navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi 9: The Complete Guide

Touch navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi 9 take up precious space on the screen, and their random taps interfere with games or watching videos. Many users want to get rid of them in favor of gestures - but not everyone knows that there are several ways to do this in MIUI. Some methods work out of the box, others require superuser rights or a PC connection.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to disable navigation buttons on Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A/9C/9T models), their pros and cons, and explain why some instructions stopped working after upgrading to MIUI 14. If you’re looking for a way to free up the bottom of the screen, you’re on the right track.

⚠️ Important: Not all methods are reversible, such as turning off buttons through the ADB This can lead to manual returns through a computer, and we recommend that you try out the built-in settings first. MIUI, Then we move on to radical measures.

1. Method: gestures instead of buttons (official method in MIUI)

The easiest and safest way to remove navigation buttons is to switch to gesture control, which works on all versions of MIUI (11 to 14) and does not require root or PC access.

To activate the gestures:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select Full-screen Mode (or Navigation Bar in older versions).
3. Slip on Gesture Control (or Full Screen Gestures).
4. Choose a gesture style: MIUI (swipe from the bottom edge) or Android (swipe around the edges of the screen).

✅ Pros: does not require additional manipulation, reversible in two clicks, supported by all applications.

❌ Cons: Some users complain about the inconvenience of gestures in games (for example, in the game). PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

Method: Disconnection through Developer (ADB)

If your version of MIUI does not have full-screen gestures (relevant for some regional firmware), you can force the buttons to be disabled via ADB. This method requires a computer and minimal technical skills.

Instructions:

1. Turn on USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times tap on the version).
2. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC and confirm debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 1

After the device is rebooted, the navigation buttons will disappear, and instead of them, Android 10+ gestures will appear.

🔹 To return buttons: run the same command, but with a value of 0 instead of 1.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 9 firmware after the command ADB The notification panel may disappear, and in this case, resetting the screen settings through Settings will help. → Display. → Resetting settings.

Method: Third-party applications (without root)

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use apps from Google Play that hide navigation buttons.

• 📱 Nacho Notch – masks the buttons with a black stripe (does not work on all firmware).
• 🔄 Full Screen Gestures emulates Android 10 gestures on top of standard buttons.
• 🎯 GMD Full Screen Immersive – Hiding buttons in games and videos (requires settings for each application).

🔹 How to set up:

1. Install one of the applications (for example, Nacho Notch).
2. Give permission to Overlay over other applications (Settings → Apps → Special Rights).
3. Activate full screen mode in the application settings.

⚠️ Restrictions: On MIUI 14 Some apps may not work due to Xiaomi's security policy.

Install APK from a verified source

Permit the imposition

Disable battery optimization for the application

Reboot the phone after setting up-->

4. Method: Edit build.prop (root only)

Root users can turn off navigation buttons by editing the build.prop system file. This method is risky – if the phone fails, it can stop loading.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
2. Open /system/build.prop file in the text editor.
3. Add a line to the end of the file:

qemu.hw.mainkeys=1

Save the changes, restart the device. The buttons must disappear.

⚠️ Attention: Editing build.prop can lead to loss of warranty and unstable system operation.Before changes, back up the file! Method Root Required PC Reversibility Gesture Risk MIUI ❌ No. ❌ No. ✅ No. ADB ❌ No. ✅ Yes. ✅ Yes Notification Panel Failure Third-Party Apps ❌ No. ❌ No. ✅ Yes Bagi with keyboard Editing build.prop ✅ Yes. ❌ No. ⚠️ Partially Brick device 5. Method: Hiding buttons in games (immersive viewing mode) If buttons only interfere with games or videos, you can turn on immersive mode for individual applications. This method does not remove the buttons completely, but temporarily hides them when scrolling or swiping. Open the Settings. → Annexes → App management. Select a game (e.g. Free Fire or Call of Duty Mobile). → Immersive regime. Choose Hide Automatically or Hide When Scrolling. 🔹 Note: In some games (such as Genshin Impact), immersive mode may conflict with controls. In this case, third-party software like Game Tools from Xiaomi will help. 💡If immersive mode doesn’t work, try turning it on through Game Turbo: open the game, swipe to the right to call the toolbar, and activate the “Frameless Mode” option 6. Frequent Problems and Solutions: After disabling navigation buttons, Redmi 9 users face typical problems: 🔙 Buttons are missing, but gestures don’t work: check if they’re included in Settings → Display. → Full screen mode. If not, run adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural. 🔄 After updating MIUI buttons are back: reset the screen settings or repeat the procedure through ADB. 🎮 Swipes don’t work in games: Turn off immersive mode for a specific application or use Game Tools. 🔹 If nothing helps: Reset your settings through Settings → The phone. → Resetting. This will return the navigation buttons to their original state. 💡On Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI 14 (Android 13) Some teams ADB This may not work due to changes in security policy, and only manual editing of root-righted system files will help. FAQ: Questions and Answers: Can you remove the navigation buttons without gestures? ADB Or edit build.prop. In this case, the buttons will disappear, but you can't control the phone without returning to standard navigation. We don't recommend this method without an alternative control method (for example, a Bluetooth mouse? It's a known problem. MIUI Solution: Turn on Android gestures instead of forced switching off the navigation bar. MIUI Or run the command: adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 0, Then activate the gestures again. ADB on the Redmi 9A? Yeah, but on Redmi. 9A (Helio-based G25) If the standard command doesn't work, try: adb shell settings put global settings policy_control immersive.full=* This will force immersive mode on all applications. Can I return the buttons if the phone doesn't turn on after building.prop editing? If the device is stuck on the boot, try: Boot in Recovery Mode (press Power). + Loudness up). Connect the phone to your PC and use ADB to: adb pull /system/build.prop (save the file), then edit it and return it back: adb push build.prop /system/. If you don't have access to ADB, you'll have to refashion the phone via Fastboot. Is there a risk of losing the warranty when you turn off the buttons? Official methods (ges, ADB) the warranty are not removed. The risk arises only when you get root rights. Edit system files (build.prop). If you use uncertified phone from the built-in, you only use the ADB, or the warranty.