How to Remove the Bottom-Screen Navigation buttons on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Why navigation buttons get intruded and when to hide them

The navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen (Back, Home, Recent) are standard MIUI, but not always convenient. They take up precious display space, especially on compact smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5, where every millimeter of the screen counts. Moreover, when watching videos or games, random touches of these buttons can take out of the application or fold it, a problem familiar to many gamers and content lovers.

Hiding the navigation bar is relevant in several scenarios: 1. For immersive viewing of movies and TV shows (when maximum immersion is important). 2. In games where every second counts (for example, in PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact). 3. When using gestures instead of buttons, modern MIUI supports full-screen swipes, which many people think are more intuitive. 4. On devices with a cutout or hole under the front camera (like the Xiaomi 13T), where each pixel of the screen is important for symmetry.

But before you remove the buttons, remember that without them, the control of the smartphone will be completely gesture. If you are used to physical buttons (like the old Redmi 4X), the transition can seem uncomfortable.

Method 1: Enabling full screen mode through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12 and later (including MIUI 14/15).

Step instructions:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select Full-screen mode (on some firmwares it may be called Display Style).
3. In the Navigation buttons section, tap on Full-screen gestures.
4. Choose one of the options: 🔄 Swipe up – a classic gesture, like on the iPhone (swipe from the bottom edge to return to the main screen). 👆 Swipe from the sides – the gesture Back is performed by swipe from the left or right edge of the screen. 🎯 MIUI-gestures – a proprietary implementation with additional features (e.g., retention to call Google Assistant).

Confirm the choice and wait for the application of settings (the smartphone can briefly restart).

Once activated, the buttons at the bottom will disappear and their functions will be accessible through gestures. To temporarily return the buttons (for example, to adjust), swipe your finger up from the bottom edge and hold it, the navigation bar will appear.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A3 with pure Android One, the path to settings may be different. → Gestures → System navigation.

Method 2: Hiding buttons through the developer (without root)

If standard settings don’t offer full-screen mode (relevant to older versions of MIUI or custom firmware), you can use the developer menu, which doesn’t require superuser rights, but includes hidden system options.

Algorithm of action:

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

Settings

Additional → For Developers

Minimize the navigation bar

Force full-screen display

Hide the navigation bar

This method may work unstable on some devices – for example, buttons may reappear after rebooting or locking the screen, in which case only the ADB method (described below) will help.

Method 3: Using third-party applications (without root)

If the built-in methods don't work, Google Play apps will come to the rescue, mimicking full-screen mode by hiding overlay navigation buttons.

• 📱 Nacho Notch – hides not only buttons, but also the cutout under the camera (supported by Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO).
• 🖥️ Full Screen Immersive Mode – allows you to configure exceptions for individual applications.
• 🎮 Game Tools (built-in to the MIUI) — Automatically hides buttons in games.

Example of settings via Nacho Notch:

1. Install the app from Google Play and grant permission to overlay (Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Overlay).
2. Start Nacho Notch and select Hide Navigation Bar.
3. Activate the Immersive Mode option and set exceptions for system dialogs.
4. Restart the device to apply the changes.

⚠️ Note: Button hiding apps may conflict with some games or banking apps (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff). Check compatibility in Safe Mode before using (hold the power button). → Safe regime).

Method 4: Disable buttons via ADB (for advanced ones)

If you want to completely and permanently remove the navigation bar without the possibility of it accidentally appearing, the ADB team will help, which requires a connection to a PC, but gives maximum control over the system.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB on your computer: For Windows: Platform Tools from Google. For macOS/Linux: install brew install android-platform-tools.

USB debugging

• Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB.
• Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the terminal: adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=* This command forcibly includes immersive mode for all applications.
• Use the following buttons: adb shell settings put global policy_control null

If the buttons remain after the reboot, check: • Correctness of the path to the file (on some firmware it can be /vendor/build.prop). • The presence of duplicate lines in the file (remove old ones, if any). • Root rights are operable (check through the Root Checker application).

⚠️ Warning: Changing build.prop may cause system boot to fail.Before editing, back up the file via TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery. If the phone doesn't turn on after the changes, restore the original build.prop via ADB Sideload.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine the method, assess your needs and level of training. Below is a table comparing all methods by key parameters:

Selection recommendations:

• 📱 For most users, Method 1 (settings) is suitable. MIUI) — It's simple and reliable.
• 🎮 Gamers are better off combining Method 3 (applications) with Game Tools to automatically hide in games.
• 💻 Advanced users who need constant concealment should use Method 4 (ADB).
• ⚙️ Owners of custom firmware or outdated devices (for example, Xiaomi Mi 8 on the Internet) MIUI 11 will help Method 5 (if root is available).

💡

If you are unsure of your skills, start with the simplest methods (1 or 2).The methods with ADB and root are designed for power users and can lead to unstable system operation if used improperly.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after successful button hiding, there may be problems, and let's look at typical situations and ways to fix them:

1.The buttons are gone, but the gestures aren't working

The reason: system configuration conflict.

• Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode and select the gesture type again.
• If you use ADB, Adb shell settings delete global settings policy_control then repeat the procedure.

2.The buttons appear again after the screen is locked

The reason: the energy-saving mode resets the settings.

• Turn off the Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery.
• Add a button hiding app (if you use it) to optimisation exclusions.

3. system dialogs are not working (for example, payment confirmation)

Reason: Immersive mode blocks interaction with System UI. Solution:

• Temporarily return the buttons by swiping up from the bottom edge and holding your finger.
• Use it. ADB-Excluding system windows: adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*,-com.android.systemui

4 After the MIUI update, the buttons returned

Reason: Resetting when you update. Solution:

• Repeat the concealment procedure (by any of the methods described).
• If you use ADB, create a script to automatically apply the command after the update.

💡

If the bottom edge of the interface is missing in some applications (for example, Instagram or VK), turn on the option “Full screen mode” or “Hide the navigation bar” in the settings of these applications.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions