Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder how to optimize the display workspace to make it as useful as possible.The standard Android interface installed on Redmi 9, by default, offers classic navigation with three virtual keys at the bottom of the screen. However, modern users are used to the more ergonomic control that the gesture system provides, freeing up valuable space for content.
Removing buttons from the screen is not just an aesthetic solution, but also a way to improve the usability of the device with one hand. Navigating gestures allows you to quickly switch between applications and return to the desktop using only swipes. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of transitioning to a new control system, and also consider the hidden features available in the MIUI shell.
Changing the way you navigate on Redmi 9 doesn’t require root rights or a computer connection, but you can find all the settings in the standard menu, but the layout may not be obvious to beginners, and we’ll provide a step-by-step algorithm that will help you adapt the interface to your habits in a few minutes.
Benefits of switching to gesture management
The transition from buttons to gestures opens up more modern smartphone experiences. The full-screen mode becomes really full, as the bottom bar takes up significantly less space than three static buttons. This is especially true for models with a screen diagonal of about 6.5 inches, where every millimeter counts when watching video or reading.
Also, swipe management is often faster, so you don't have to aim at a specific Back or Home icon, just make a finger move in the right area of the screen, and Xiaomi has implemented this feature smoothly enough to make navigation intuitive after a short period of getting used to it.
- 📱 Maximum screen area: the content takes up 100% of usable space without overlapping controls.
- ⚡ Speed: System instant response to swipes speeds up routine tasks.
- 👆 Ergonomics: It’s easier to hold your phone with one hand as the interaction zone shifts to the edges.
It is worth noting that the rejection of buttons reduces the risk of the effect of "burnout" of pixels on the AMOLED-screens, though on IPS-In Redmi 9, this risk is minimal, but dynamic interface elements are always preferred over static ones with prolonged use of the device.
Step-by-step: disabling navigation buttons
To remove the buttons from the screen, you need to get into the corresponding system settings menu. MIUI interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall algorithm of actions remains unchanged for all devices in the Redmi line.
First, open the Settings app on your smartphone. In the list that opens, look for the Settings section, and that's where the settings for system controls, including language, date, time, and navigation, are hidden.
☑️ Switching algorithm
Inside the menu, find Full-screen Control (some versions may simply call it "Navigation"). When you click on it, you'll see two options: classic buttons and gesture control. Choose the second option, and the buttons will instantly disappear from the screen, giving way to a thin bar at the bottom.
⚠️ Warning: After switching to gestures, the Back button may stop working as usual. Make sure you remember new movements so you don't get confused in the interface during the first hours of use.
If you can't find this section, search by settings, type the word "navigation" or "gestures" into the search box, and the system will suggest you go to the desired menu, which is a universal method for all versions of Android and MIUI.
Sensitivity setting and strip hiding
Once gestures are activated, many users notice a thin horizontal bar at the bottom of the display, which serves as an indicator of the control zone, but its presence can be annoying for those who want to achieve a perfect picture. Fortunately, MIUI allows you to hide this element.
To do this, go back to the Full Screen Control menu, and you'll find the Hide Hint (or Hide the Indicator) switch, and activate it, you'll remove the visual marker, leaving only the functionality, the screen will be completely clean, and you'll control the invisible zone in the lower segment of the display.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Three static keys | For beginners. |
| Gestures | Swipe management | For experienced users |
| Indicator | Thin strip from below | Hide for aesthetics |
| Sensitivity | Response speed | Customize individually |
This section may also include a screen edge sensitivity setting, so if you notice swipes not working the first time or false positives, try changing this setting. Xiaomi provides flexible tools for calibrating to suit any style of use.
💡
If you use your phone frequently in the dark, hiding the white bar will significantly reduce eye strain, as the bright element at the bottom of the screen will stop distracting.
Description of the main gestures for navigation
Switching to a new control system requires remembering basic movements. Unlike buttons where each action is tied to a specific point, the trajectory of the finger is important here. Once you master the three basic gestures, you will feel confident in any situation.
The first and most important gesture is "Home." To get back to the home screen, you need to swipe from the bottom up in the center of the screen, which is the analog of pressing the center button on older smartphone models. The movement should be short and sharp.
The second gesture is "Back." It's done by swiping to the left or right of the edge of the screen inwards, and this is an action that replaces the triangular return button, and it's important to start from the very edge of the display, or the system might perceive this as scrolling through the page.
- 🔄 Switching applications: swipe from the bottom up with a finger retention at the top point or horizontal swipe at the bottom edge (depending on version) MIUI).
- 🔍 Google Search: Swipe from the bottom up with a stop in the middle of the screen.
- 📋 Recent apps: swipe from the bottom up and hold your finger for a split second.
There is also a combination to call Google Assistant, which is usually done by swiping from the bottom corner diagonally. However, this feature can be disabled by default or conflict with system gestures, so it is set up separately in the assistant menu.
Compatibility issues in apps and games
Despite the popularity of gesture controls, some applications, especially old or poorly optimized ones, may not display properly on the full screen, in which case the lower part of the program interface may overlap the system navigation area, making the buttons inside the application inaccessible.
To solve this problem, Xiaomi has implemented a feature called Screen Extension, or app compatibility, which forces the system to temporarily return virtual buttons or add black fields from the bottom to make the app work in standard 16:9 mode.
Settings → Additional settings → Screen extensionIn this menu, you'll see a list of installed applications. Find a program that has display problems and turn on a compatibility switch for it. Once you restart the application, the interface should scale properly and the controls will be available.
⚠️ Warning: Enabling compatibility mode for an app that already works well with gestures can lead to black bars on the sides of the screen and a deterioration in visual perception.
It is also worth considering that in some games random swipes around the edge of the screen can lead to the exit to the menu or desktop. In such situations, it is recommended to use the Game Turbo mode, which blocks system gestures during the game session.
Third-party solutions and interface customization
If standard MIUI capabilities aren’t enough, Google Play offers a variety of launcher apps and customization tools, like Fluid Navigation Gestures or Navigation Bar, which lets you create your own gesture sets and change the bottom bar.
However, using third-party software on Redmi 9 has its own nuances: Xiaomi’s aggressive power saving system can automatically close such applications, which will cause resets of navigation settings, you will need to manually prevent the system from “killing” the process in the background.
How to prevent MIUI from closing the application?
In addition, some launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher, have their own gesture settings that may conflict with system ones, in which case priority is usually given to Android system settings, but there are possible exceptions depending on the firmware version.
For advanced users, a use case is available ADB-commands to hide the system panel completely, which is sometimes required for specific tasks, for example, when using a smartphone as an information panel or in kiosk mode.
adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*This command will hide not only the navigation, but also the status bar from above. policy_control. Be careful when using such methods as they require a PC connection and basic debugging knowledge.
💡
MIUI system settings ensure stable gestures, while third-party apps give more freedom but require additional customization and can consume more battery life.