Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, which are based on the shells MIUI and HyperOS, by default offer users a classic method of navigation using three buttons at the bottom of the screen. However, in recent years, the de facto standard has become gesture control, which allows you to free up useful display space and make use of the gadget more convenient, especially on devices with elongated screens. Remove on-screen buttons on Xiaomi is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a way to improve ergonomics, allowing you to reach the interface elements with one hand without having to reach the bottom of the case.
The process of switching between the classic buttons and gesture control in the Android system from Xiaomi is as simple as possible and takes only a few seconds. You do not need super-user rights (root), install third-party applications or connect to a computer. All the necessary settings are in the standard menu of system parameters available to every smartphone owner. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to change navigation, and also consider the nuances of working with the control panel in different versions of the firmware.
It's worth noting that switching to gestures can take some time to get used to, especially if you've been using physical or screen buttons for years. However, most users note that after a week of using the new method, you don't want to go back anymore. The interface becomes smoother and transition animations more natural. Next, we'll look at the step-by-step algorithm for different versions of MIUI.
Standard method through system settings
The easiest and most reliable way to remove Xiaomi’s on-screen buttons is through basic operating system settings. MIUI, while criticized for its advertizing plethora in some regions, offers very flexible customization options. First, you need to unlock your smartphone screen and find an Settings app icon that usually looks like a gear, which is the control center for the entire device, where you change settings from sound to security.
In the menu that opens, you need to scroll down to the section that can be called Additional Settings or just Screen, depending on your firmware version and region. In the more recent versions of HyperOS, the logic of the layout of the elements may have changed, so look carefully for the navigation item. This is where the switch that controls the appearance of the bottom of the display hides.
Find Full-screen display or Navigation on the screen. When you click on it, you'll see two options: classic buttons (often with three stripes or a triangle, a circle and a square) and gesture control (image of arrows or lines). Choose the gesture option. The system will immediately apply the changes, and the bottom bar with buttons will disappear, giving way to a thin bar-indicator.
Now, it's important to understand that when you turn off the buttons, you're going to swipe all the way back to the home screen, you swipe up from the bottom of the screen, and to open a list of recent apps, you swipe up and hold your finger for a split second. You swipe from the side of the screen to the center to go back, and these things become intuitive pretty quickly.
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Switching to gestures instantly frees up the usable screen area, which is especially noticeable on smartphones with a diagonal of less than 6 inches.
Setting the sensitivity and position of the indicator
Once you’ve managed to remove Xiaomi’s on-screen buttons, you may notice that standard gesture settings don’t always fit your style of use. Fortunately, MIUI has provided the ability to fine-tune the sensitivity of swipes. This is especially true for users who often wear the phone in thick-sided cases or have a rounded-edge security glass that can interfere with touch recognition.
In the same menu where you chose the navigation type, there's often an option or a gear icon next to the mode selection, you can adjust the swipe length to open the menu of recent apps. If you accidentally open multitasking instead of returning to your desktop, increase the length of the swipe. If your finger slips and the action doesn't work, reduce it.
Also worth paying attention to is the position of the Home indicator (thin bar at the bottom of the screen). In some versions of the firmware, the option to hide this indicator after a certain time of inactivity is available, which allows you to achieve the effect of a real full-screen mode, when no interface elements are visible at all. However, keep in mind that without a visual guide, new users may be confused, not knowing where to start swiping.
Hidden possibilities of the indicator
Another important aspect is the side swipe, which is that the default backup is left and right. If you often hold your phone with one hand, you might be more comfortable with the return swipe only working on one side, so you don't get hit by accident, and unfortunately, you can't pick a particular side with standard MIUI, but there are third-party launchers that allow you to do that.
Differences in MIUI and HyperOS Interface
Users are often confused about settings as Xiaomi is actively implementing a new HyperOS shell that gradually replaces MIUI 14 and older versions. The navigation logic is similar, but the paths to settings may differ. In classic MIUI, the path usually goes through Settings → Additional Settings → Full-screen display. This is the standard route for most devices released before 2023.
In the new HyperOS shell, the menu structure has been redesigned to align with the ecosystem of other devices of the brand. Here, the navigation control point often moves to the Settings → Desktop section or is placed in a separate section Special features. If you can’t find the right switch on the usual path, use the search by settings. Just type in the search bar the word “navigation” or “gestures”, and the system will suggest the desired item.
It's worth noting the differences in animation. HyperOS uses smoother, more complex transition animations that are tied to the physics of finger movements. If you remove the on-screen buttons on Xiaomi from HyperOS, you'll notice that apps stick to your finger when swiping, creating a sense of direct manipulation of objects. In older versions of MIUI, animations could be more jerky and less responsive.
Below is a table that helps you quickly navigate the differences in paths to settings depending on the version of the software:
| Shell version | The path to settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings → Additional settings → Full-screen display | Classic path, stable job |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Desktop → Navigation system | Changed logic of the menu |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Settings → Desktop → Navigation | Improved animation, new gestures |
| Android One (Mi A series) | Settings → System → Gestures | Pure Android, no MIUI add-ons |
Use of third-party applications for customization
If standard functionality is not enough for you and you want to not only remove the on-screen buttons of Xiaomi, but also replace them with something more functional or beautiful, apps from the Google Play Store will come to the rescue. The standard system limits the ability to change the appearance of the bar-indicator, but third-party software has much more to offer.
One popular solution is to use launcher apps or custom navigation tools like Navigation Bar or Fluid Navigation Gestures, which allow you to create your own control panel that you can place anywhere on the screen, change its transparency, size and button set, which is especially useful for older models where regular gestures work incorrectly.
However, third-party solutions have drawbacks. First, they consume additional battery power, as they must constantly work in the background and monitor user actions. Secondly, on modern versions of Android (11, 12, 13, 14), the security system limits the capabilities of such applications, requiring special permissions through ADB or special features menu, which can be difficult for an untrained user.
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Before installing third-party navigators, be sure to create a restore point or check the possibility of safe mode to be able to disable the application if it causes a system conflict.
Also worth mentioning is the Button Mapper app, which allows you to reassign button actions if you choose to leave them, or emulate gestures when you click virtual buttons, a powerful tool for those who want to fully control the behavior of their Xiaomi smartphone interface.
Solving problems with the disappearance of buttons
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the on-screen buttons on Xiaomi disappeared on their own, without their knowledge. This can happen after a system update, a reset, or due to a launcher error. If you did not plan to switch to gestures and the usual control disappeared, do not panic. Most likely, a random swipe or system bug worked.
The first thing you need to do is to try and call the swipe navigation menu from the bottom of the screen up, so if the menu appears, then the phone just went into gesture mode. Follow the instructions from the first section to return the buttons back. If the swipe does not work and the screen only responds to touches at the top, SystemUI may have a system process hanging.
In this case, rebooting the device will help. Press the power button (if physical) or use the shutdown command if it is accessible through the notification curtain. If the phone does not fully respond, press the power button and the volume button for 10-15 seconds to force the reboot. This action is safe for your data.
☑️ Diagnostics of missing buttons
⚠️ Warning: If the buttons are missing after installing an unknown application from an unverified source, delete it immediately.
One-Hand Mode and Its Impact on Navigation
Special attention should be paid to the one-hand function, which is often included on Xiaomi smartphones with large screens. When activated, the screen is reduced and shifted to the corner to make it convenient to get to the opposite edge with your finger, in which the behavior of on-screen buttons or gestures can change.
If you have one-handed mode on, the navigation bar can automatically hide or change its size to avoid taking up the useful space of the reduced window. To control the phone in this mode, you need to swipe inside the reduced area or use a special button for the rolled-up window, you can turn this mode off by clicking on the folded screen icon or swiping from the opposite edge.
Often users accidentally activate this mode by swiping the bottom navigation bar (if buttons are enabled) or the bottom edge (if gestures are enabled). To avoid accidental switching on, you can turn off the activation of one-handed mode with a swipe in the settings, leaving only activation through a triple press or a button in the curtain.
For people with large palms or those who prefer to control the phone with two hands, the one-hand mode may be useless, but its random activation is very annoying. So, when setting up the navigation, be sure to go to the section Additional settings → One-hand mode and choose a convenient activation method for you or turn off the function altogether.