Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have been actively implementing gesture control for several years, which completely replaces the classic bottom panel with three virtual buttons. However, many users, out of habit or due to the specifics of use, continue to leave standard navigation, forgetting that it can not only be turned off, but also completely hidden to increase the usable screen space.
Disabling or hiding Android navigation elements on the MIUI or HyperOS shell completely solves several problems: frees up precious pixels at the bottom of the display, improves ergonomics when used with one hand and makes the interface more modern. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from simple change of navigation type to advanced methods of hiding the black bar at the bottom of the screen, which often annoys users.
It's worth noting that the term "remove" can be interpreted in two ways: as the replacement of buttons with gestures, and the physical concealment of the gesture indicator (stripes) or black bezels. System limitations of manufacturers do not always allow you to make the interface perfectly clean without third-party software, but we will consider all possible options. It is important to understand the difference between turning off buttons and hiding the indicator to choose the appropriate method.
Transition to gesture management: the basic method
The easiest and most legal way to get rid of the three buttons (Back, Home, Menu) is to switch to gesture control mode, which is built into the system settings of any current Xiaomi smartphone and does not require additional software. Once gestures are activated, the buttons disappear, giving way to swipes, which is the standard for modern versions of Android.
To do this, you need to go to the device settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or the new HyperOS), but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section that is responsible for screen and navigation, usually in the category "Additional" or "System".
Once you switch, you'll notice that the bottom panel is empty, and there's a back-up zone on the sides of the screen, which is a standard method that ensures that all apps run smoothly without conflict, but there's a nuance to this approach: there's often a thin bar or black bar at the bottom of the screen that some users also want to remove.
- 📱 Open the settings of your smartphone.
- 🔍 Go to the Additional section (or Advanced Settings).
- 🖱️ Select Full-screen mode (in some versions called "Navigation»).
- ✅ Activate the switch Full screen mode.
☑️ Checking the transition to gestures
Once full-screen is enabled, the system will offer a training video. The interface will become more immersive, but it's worth remembering that getting used to gestures takes anywhere from a couple of days to a week. If you've previously used only buttons, you may have errors when you try to press a non-existent Home button.
Hiding the sign indicator and black stripe
Even after switching to gestures, many users are embarrassed by having a thin horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen or a wide black bezel that takes up useful space. Officially, Xiaomi does not allow this indicator to be completely removed through the standard menu, since it serves as a visual prompt to call the multitasking menu. However, there are ways to minimize its impact or hide it altogether.
Some versions of the MIUI and HyperOS have a feature that hides bangs and notches under the camera, which also affects the bottom of the screen. If you activate full cover of the notches, the bottom black bar can become wider, but it merges with the application frame, creating the illusion of no navigation. It's a visual trick that helps perception.
⚠️ Warning: Completely concealing system elements may cause the bottom of the interface to overlap in some applications. Make sure that the important buttons in the programs you use are not outside the visible area.
For users who are critically interested in removing the visual bar, there are special themes, and in the Themes theme store, you can find designs that mask the bottom panel or make it transparent, which doesn't remove the system element, but makes it less visible to the eye.
Can I completely remove the black stripe programmatically?
Also worth mentioning is the special features settings. In Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features sometimes come with options to adjust the behavior of the screen, although direct strip removal is rare there. The main tool remains customization through themes.
Use of the Button Mapper App
If standard methods don't work, or if you want to reassign button functions before you turn them off, third-party software will come to the rescue. One of the most popular and reliable tools is Button Mapper, which allows you not only to reassign actions, but also to hide controls in some configurations.
The app requires special permissions through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or through the special features menu. Once installed and configured, you have full control over the navigation bar behavior, which is especially true for older models where the transition to gestures does not work properly.
- 📥 Download Button Mapper from Google Play Store.
- ⚙️ Give the application the necessary access rights.
- 🔘 Set up actions for buttons or select the option to disable them.
- 🚀 Enjoy customized navigation.
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Before installing third-party applications to change system settings, be sure to create a restore point or backup of data to avoid system problems.
It’s important to understand that third-party apps run on top of system navigation, and they can conflict with Android security updates, so after a major firmware update, the settings may get lost, which would require a reconfiguration.
Some users use Button Mapper to create complex scenarios, such as double-clicking the Home button to launch the camera before finally abandoning the buttons.
Advanced customization through ADB teams
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a way to hide the navigation bar through the ADB debugging bridge. This method allows you to penetrate system settings deeper than a conventional interface. However, it requires a connection to a computer and basic knowledge of working with console commands.
The essence of the method is to change the value of the parameter policy_control. This command tells the system exactly how to display the system bars, and you can make the system think that the navigation bar should be completely hidden, even if the buttons are on.
adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*This command will completely hide both the top and bottom bars. To get it back to normal, the reset command is used: adb shell settings delete global settings. policy_control. Be careful when entering commands, as an error can lead to temporary inoperability of the interface.
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Using ADB commands is the most effective way to completely hide navigation, but it requires a computer and cable to reset settings in case of errors.
It should be noted that after the device restarts, some parameters set through the ADB can be reset, in which case the commands will have to re-write or use auto-run scripts, which requires even more deep knowledge of the system.
Comparison of Navigation Management Methods
The way you manage your navigation depends on your personal preferences, your smartphone model, and your operating system version, and to make it easier for you to decide, we have a basic method comparison table that will help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Every method has its advantages: regular gestures are the most stable, hiding through topics is safe for data, and ADB gives maximum control. Data security should be a priority, so methods with root rights or deep system changes should be resorted to only with full confidence in their actions.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory gestures | Low. | Tall. | Medium (stripe remaining) |
| Design topics | Low. | Tall. | Visual (masking) |
| ADB team | Tall. | Medium | Maximum |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | Medium | Depends on the Android version |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the best option is a combination of standard gestures and a properly selected theme, which provides a balance between functionality, security and aesthetics.
Frequent problems and their solution
When you turn off or adjust your navigation, you may encounter a variety of problems, such as when you update your firmware, or when you update your gestures, or when you're in some apps, it's the normal behavior of Android's security system, which prioritizes the way your apps work.
If you notice that in games or when watching videos, the bottom bar pops up on its own, check the settings of a particular application. Under Settings → Advanced Settings → Full-screen mode can be forced to turn on or off gestures for each program separately, this solves 90% of compatibility problems.
⚠️ Note: If after applying the settings ADB phone stopped responding to touch or interface “swimmed”, press the power button on 10-15 seconds for a forced reset. 99% This will drop temporary system flags.
Another common problem is the accidental folding of applications due to too sensitive gesture areas. In navigation settings, you can often find a slider “Side Area Sensitivity” or the ability to change the swipe activation area, adjusting this parameter makes using the smartphone more comfortable.
Remember that regular system updates via Settings → About Phone → System updates often contain patches for interface-related bugs. If the navigation problem has recently appeared, it may be worth checking for new versions of the software.