Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 model, are gradually moving away from classic control with three buttons at the bottom of the display. Many users prefer a more modern gesture navigation system that frees up useful screen space and makes interaction with the interface smoother. However, standard settings do not always allow you to completely get rid of visual controls, such as the bar or the buttons themselves, if they were enabled by default.
In this article, we will discuss how to remove buttons from the screen, switch to gesture control and hide unnecessary interface elements in the MIUI shell. You will learn about the hidden features of the system navigator that are not obvious when you first get acquainted with the device. We will also look at the nuances of working with Full Screen Display and solve typical problems that arise when changing the way you navigate.
The setup process may seem confusing because of the abundance of menus in MIUI firmware, but following the step-by-step instructions you can optimize your desktop in a few minutes. It's important to understand the difference between completely turning off buttons and replacing them with gestures, as this affects the usability of your smartphone in the long run. Let's get into the detailed setup of your device.
Difference Between Buttons and Gestures in MIUI
Before you start making changes, you need to clearly understand what distinguishes classic navigation from gestures. In the traditional mode at the bottom of the Redmi Note 9 screen are three virtual keys: Back, Home and Application Menu. These occupy a certain part of the display and always remain visible, which can interfere with the view in some applications or games.
Gesture mode, by contrast, removes these static elements by swiping them from the edges of the screen, allowing content to occupy all available area, creating an immersive effect. However, the transition requires addiction, as the control mechanics become less obvious to new users. Instead of clicking on the back button, you will need to swipe from the left or right edge of the screen to the center.
It's worth noting that there's also an intermediate option in the MIUI shell, which is to use buttons, but with the ability to hide them through a timer or additional settings, although you can't completely remove them with regular means without switching to gestures. The visual interface is getting cleaner, but the functionality of the buttons doesn't go away, it just changes the form of interaction. Understanding these differences will help you choose the best option for daily use.
- 📱 Classic buttons occupy a fixed area at the bottom of the screen, reducing usable space.
- 🖐️ Gesture control frees up the entire display for content and looks more modern.
- ⚙️ Switching between modes occurs in system settings without installing third-party software.
- 🔄 Animation of transitions in gesture mode often works smoother than the response of virtual keys.
⚠️ Attention: When you switch to gestures, the old button strip will disappear instantly. If you're used to the tactile response of the buttons, the early days may have difficulty with muscle memory.
Some users mistakenly believe that buttons can simply be “turned off” leaving empty space at the bottom, but in standard Xiaomi firmware this is impossible without root rights.The system requires some way of navigation to ensure the basic functionality of the Android OS.
Step-by-step: transition to full-screen control
To remove the buttons and activate gesture control, you need access to the system settings menu. This process is secure and does not require data reset or obtaining advanced rights. First, unlock your Redmi Note 9 and find the standard Settings app, which is usually indicated by a gear, and in the list of parameters, you need to find the section responsible for display operation and system navigation.
In current versions of MIUI, the path to the menu may be slightly different depending on the Android version, but the logic remains the same. You need to go to Settings → Screen → System Navigation. This is where the switch is located, which dramatically changes the way you interact with your smartphone. Once you select Full Screen Mode, the old buttons will disappear, and in their place there will be a thin bar-indicator at the bottom.
If you want to completely hide the navigation bar, there's often an extra "Hide Gesture Guidance" or similar switch on the same menu, and activating this feature makes the bottom of the screen absolutely clean, leaving only the content. But remember, the lack of a visual landmark can be disorienting at first, so the system interface allows you to return the hint at any time.
☑️ Checklist for the transition to gestures
Once you've applied the changes, the system can offer a short tutorial tour showing the basic swipes, which you don't want to ignore, especially if you've only used buttons before, and remember the basic moves: swipe from the bottom up returns to the desktop, swipe from the bottom up with a delay opens the multitasking menu, and swipe from the edge - back action.
| Action. | Gesture. | Analogue of a button |
|---|---|---|
| Home. | Swipe from bottom up (short) | Circle/House |
| Back up. | Swipe left or right to center | The triangle |
| Appendix menu | Swipe from bottom up (long with pause) | Square. |
| Google Assistant | Swipe from the bottom corner diagonally | No analogue. |
⚠️ Note: In some games or applications with full-screen video, the "Back" gesture may accidentally activate when you try to grab a smartphone.
Importantly, the Google Assistant logic changes in gesture mode, and if you could call it with a long press of the home button, now it's done by a swipe from the corner or a voice command, depending on the settings, which is often overlooked, so it's worth checking the configuration of the voice assistant beforehand.
How to hide the gesture indicator strip
Many users who have gone to gestures wonder how to get rid of the thin white or black bar at the bottom of the screen. This bar is a visual indicator that shows that gesture mode is active. Although it takes up minimal space, it can be striking in dark topics or when watching videos. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 has a regular option to remove this element.
To do this, go back to Settings → Screen → System Navigation. Find a item called Hide Gesture Guidance or Hide Gesture Line. The switch next to it needs to be activated. The bar will then disappear and the bottom of the screen will be completely clean. However, the visual prompt may appear periodically when unlocked or at certain system moments, reminding you of how to control.
Consider that the complete absence of an indicator requires a user to have a good memory of the location of the swipe areas. Navigation without prompts looks more aesthetically pleasing, but less informative for guests who will pick up your phone. If you often give the device to other people, you may want to leave the strip on.
- 👁️ The strip-indicator helps beginners navigate the screen space.
- 🎨 Hiding the line improves the perception of content in apps with a dark theme.
- ⏱️ The indicator can automatically appear for a few seconds after unlocking.
- ⚙️ The setting is applied instantly and does not require rebooting the device.
In some versions of MIUI, this option may be hidden or called something else. If you don't find the switch, try updating the system or checking the "Additional Settings" section. It's also worth remembering that in One Hand mode, the strip can behave differently, shifting along with the smaller interface.
What to do if the strip is not hidden?
Setting sensitivity and speed of gestures
Once you've managed to remove the buttons, you may notice that gestures don't respond the way you'd like them to. Too high sensitivity can lead to random backlashes, and low sensitivity can cause you to make piles several times. Redmi Note 9 and newer Xiaomi models have the ability to fine-tune these parameters, which is a big plus for ergonomics.
Go to Settings → Settings → Special features → Navigation (the path can vary). Here you will find a slider adjusting the speed of animation and edge sensitivity. Increased speed makes the system response more sharp, which is popular with experienced users who are accustomed to instantaneous reaction. The sensitivity of the edges determines how far from the screen edge you need to start a swipe to be recognized.
If you often play games that use edge swipes (such as shooters), it is recommended to reduce sensitivity or adjust excluded zones.This will prevent accidental exit from the game or return back at a critical moment.
⚠️ Warning: Do not set maximum animation speeds if you have power saving mode on, this can lead to dissynchronization of the visual part and the response of the touch screen.
You can also set the retention time in this section to call the menu of running applications. The standard time is about 0.5 seconds. If you accidentally open the task menu instead of returning to the desktop, try to increase this time. The accuracy of control depends on the right parameters for your printing and grip style.
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Use One Hand mode along with gestures. Swipe down the navigation bar (if optional) or use side buttons to shift the interface. This will make it easier to control the Redmi Note 9's large screens.
Problem Solving: The buttons are missing or not working
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the buttons are gone by themselves, but the gestures do not work, or the interface is frozen. This can happen after updating the MIUI firmware or a failure in the system process SystemUI. If the screen is black at the bottom, but the swipes do not respond, first try to restart the smartphone. 90% of the time this restores the system navigator.
If the reboot didn't help, check to see if Do Not Disturb mode or special features that can block control are turned on.It's also worth making sure that the screen doesn't have a low-quality protective film that creates "dead zones" around the edges, interfering with gesture recognition.The Redmi Note 9 touchscreen is sensitive enough, but thick glass can distort signals.
In rare cases, cleaning the Settings app cache or resetting the design settings helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Settings → Memory → Clear the cache. This won’t delete your personal data, but will return the system configs to their original state. If the problem persists, you may need a deeper intervention or reset to factory settings.
- 🔄 Rebooting the device is the first action for any interface failure.
- 🛡️ Check the protective glass: it should not cover the sensory areas.
- 🧹 Cleaning the cache of system applications can eliminate software errors.
- 🔌 Connecting charging sometimes "wakes up" touchscreen with temporary getting stuck.
If the buttons are missing after installing a third-party launcher, the problem may be in a program conflict: Try temporarily returning the standard POCO Launcher or MIUI Home launcher and checking the navigation. Third-party shells often have their own button settings that override the system ones.
Hidden opportunities and additional settings
MIUI is known for its abundance of hidden features, and navigation is no exception. Few people know that in button mode you can change their order or even turn on a hidden timer. To do this, go to Settings → Screen → System Navigation → Buttons and select “Order of the Buttons.” Here you can make the Back button to the right, like in iOS, or on the left, like in classic Android.
There's also a "Hide buttons in 3 seconds" feature, which if activated, the navigation bar will disappear after a period of inactivity, only appearing when you touch the bottom of the screen. This is a compromise option for those who don't want to switch to gestures but want to see more content. Visual noise is minimized, but buttons remain available at any time.
Another interesting feature is the ability to change the look of buttons. Some design themes offer custom navigation icons that can be more contrasting or minimalist. Xiaomi Theme Store offers hundreds of options that change not only wallpaper, but also system elements, including the navigation bar.
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The flexibility of the navigation setting in MIUI allows you to adapt the smartphone to any habits: from conservative buttons to advanced gestures with a fine sensitivity setting.
Remember that any changes to system navigation can affect the performance of screenshots. In button mode, the screenshot is often done with a combination of volume and power buttons, and in gesture mode, you add the ability to swipe the screen with three fingers. Check the settings of this action in the Additional settings menu → Keyboard combinations.