How to remove gestures on Xiaomi: return buttons or configure swipes

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, whether the flagship Redmi Note or the budget POCO M, offer gesture control by default. This iOS-like interface saves usable screen space by removing the bottom navigation bar. However, many users who switch from older versions of MIUI or other operating systems are uncomfortable with the lack of the usual Home, Back and Menu buttons.

The process of switching between modes does not require obtaining superuser rights or complex flashing of the device. Android system settings, which are the basis of the HyperOS shell, allow you to flexibly control the way you navigate. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to remove gestures on Xiaomi by returning classic buttons, or, conversely, how to learn how to use swipes effectively if you decide to adapt to a new style of management.

Note that the location of menu items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and region. MIUI 14 and HyperOS have a deeper path to navigation settings than in the early builds of MIUI 11-12. If you don’t find the item described right away, try searching by settings by entering the keyword “Navigation” or “Gests.”

Before making changes, it is important to understand the difference between completely undoing gestures and fine-tuning them. Sometimes users are annoyed not by the fact that there are no buttons, but by accidental activations or delays in the response of the system. In such cases, radical switching may not be necessary, just adjust the sensitivity or turn off specific functions, such as hiding the hint bar.

What is the difference between buttons and gestures on Xiaomi

Navigation is the foundation of operating system interaction. Button control is a classic Android experience, with three virtual or physical keys at the bottom of the display. Back buttons allow you to return to the previous screen, Home folds apps into the background, and Menu opens a list of running programs. This is intuitive, because it requires you to simply press rather than remember complex finger movements.

Unlike buttons, gesture controls free up to 15-20% of the screen area, which is especially true for smartphones with an aspect ratio of 20:9. Instead of pressing, swipes are used: swiping from the bottom up folds the application, swiping sideways from the edge of the screen performs the function of "back", and long pressing and swiping up opens up multitasking, which makes using a smartphone with one hand more convenient on large diagonals, although it requires addiction.

The choice between these two methods often depends on the user's personal preferences and habits. Those who often work in horizontal mode (games, watching videos) may appreciate the absence of buttons that overlap the view. However, for people with motor characteristics or users who are accustomed to the tactile return of physical buttons, gestures can seem uncomfortable and require increased accuracy of movements.

Step-by-step: how to switch to buttons

If you're determined to give up swipes, you need to go to system settings. The algorithm is the same for most current models, including the Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 and older devices. It's important to do things consistently so you don't get confused in the menu.

First, unlock your smartphone and find the Settings icon on your desktop. In the menu that opens, scroll down to the Additional or Advanced Settings section. This is where you find the settings that affect how the system behaves, not just how the interface looks. In some firmware, this item may be simply called System Settings.

Inside the section, find Navigation by gestures (or "Navigation"). When you click on it, you'll see two main options: Gestures and Buttons. Select the Button option. The screen will instantly change: three familiar keys will appear at the bottom. At this stage, the basic setting is complete, but the system can offer additional options, such as the order of the buttons.

Note that after switching, you may need to reboot your device to apply changes to all system applications. If buttons appear but some programs behave strangely (for example, do not close the application), try closing background processes through the multitasking menu. This often solves problems with sticking the interface after changing the navigation type.

Setting the location and appearance of the buttons

Once you've managed to remove gestures on Xiaomi, you should pay attention to the ergonomics. The standard Android button layout is Menu (left), Home (center), Back (right), but many users who come from older Samsung or HTC smartphones are used to the reverse order, and fortunately, the MIUI shell allows you to change this without third-party software.

In the same Navigation by gesture menu, right under the control type, is the button order (or "Mirror") switch. By activating it, you swap the back and me functions, which is especially useful for left-handers or those who use cases with protruding edges, which can interfere with the swipe from the right edge of the screen if the back button is located on the right.

Also worth considering is the visibility of buttons. In some design themes or One Hand modes, buttons can become translucent or hide when not in use. To turn off this feature, go to Settings → Screen → One Hand Mode and make sure it’s off. If the buttons still disappear, check for active themes in the Themes app – some of them forcefully change the navigation style.

⚠️ Attention: Changing the order of the buttons can be temporarily disorienting. The brain remembers muscle memory, and trying to press "Back" where "Menu" used to be will lead to errors in the first days of use. Give yourself time to adapt before changing the settings back.

It's important to understand that the appearance of the buttons themselves (their shape, color, transparency) depends on the active theme of the design. If you don't like standard white triangles and circles, visit the GetThemes theme store and download the theme from the custom navigation bar. This is the only way to change the design of the buttons without root rights.

Fine adjustment of gesture sensitivity

Even if you don't want to completely abandon gestures, they can be significantly improved. Often users complain that the Back swipe doesn't work the first time or happens too often. Edge sensitivity has been introduced in HyperOS settings and newer versions of MIUI.

You can find this parameter in the Navigation by gesture menu. It usually offers three levels: Low, Medium, and High. If you often accidentally fold apps or come back when you scroll through social media, set Low Feelings. If swipes are ignored, select High, which is a critical parameter for owners of thick-edged protective glass.

Another useful feature is to hide the gesture prompt. At the bottom of the screen, when gesture mode is activated, a thin bar is often displayed. It indicates where to swipe. Many users find it annoying, because it takes up space and can overlap interface elements in some applications. You can turn it off with a simple switch in the same navigation menu.

Remember that touchscreen sensitivity also depends on the presence of protective film. If you have a thick hydrogel coating or 5D glass, the sensitivity of the edges may drop, in which case, in addition to setting up the software, it makes sense to include the option “Mode in gloves” in the Settings → Screen section, which will increase the overall responsiveness of the display.

Comparison of management methods: characteristics table

To decide whether to remove gestures on your Xiaomi or leave them, let’s compare the two methods on key parameters. This table will help you weigh the pros and cons for your specific use case.

As you can see from the table, gestures win in aesthetics and usable space, but lose in speed, but buttons remain the benchmark of reliability and predictability, depending on which is more important to you: maximum immersive experience when viewing content or absolute control over each action.

It's also worth mentioning that in One-Hand mode (when the screen is reduced for easy thumb access), gestures work a little differently. When activated, this mode compresses the interface along with the navigation bar. When gestures are made, the swipe zone can shift, which sometimes causes confusion. If you use your smartphone with one hand often, buttons can be a more predictable option.

Problem Solving: If buttons don’t appear or don’t work properly

Sometimes, after switching settings, users encounter bugs: buttons do not appear, overlap the application interface or disappear altogether after rebooting. The first step is to check whether the Full-screen application mode is turned on for a particular software. In the Screen settings → Full-screen mode you can force the navigation display for each program to be turned on or off separately.

If the problem is systemic, try resetting your launcher settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find System Launcher (or Launcher) and click Clear → Clear Cache. Fear not, your icons and widgets won’t go missing, but desktop and navigation settings will reset to factory ones, which often eliminates software conflicts.

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If the buttons are missing after installing the theme, try changing the theme to a standard one ("Classic" or "Default"). Third-party themes often contain errors in the navigation bar code that cause it to disappear.

In rare cases, third-party software that intercepts control, such as screen recording programs or blacklists of callers with the interface lock feature, check the list of newly installed applications and remove those that have permissions to “Map on top of other windows.”

⚠️ Note: If the buttons are missing after updating the firmware and resetting the launcher settings does not help, do not rush to make a full reset. Try to update the system application "Security" and "System Framework Components" through the GetApps store. Often, navigation bugs are fixed by patches of system services, rather than a complete flashing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The flexibility of navigation is one of the main advantages of Android based on Xiaomi. you can change the type of control, order of buttons and their appearance at any time without losing data, adapting the smartphone to your current needs.