How to remove the navigation bar on Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

The navigation bar at the bottom of Xiaomi's screen is a standard MIUI feature, but not everyone likes it. Some people think it's a bit of a space-useful experience, some people switch to gesture control and want to get rid of visual "junk" and some people just get in the way of a random tap. In this article, we'll look at all the working ways to hide or completely disable the navigation bar on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones, from standard settings to advanced methods using ADB.

It's important to understand that not all methods are equally safe. For example, disabling the panel through the developer can lead to incorrect gestures, and editing system files can lead to loss of warranty or "brick" of the device if you act carelessly. We will describe the risks of each method in detail and give recommendations on how to avoid problems. If you are a beginner, start with the first two methods, they are the safest and most reversible.

This article is relevant for all modern versions of MIUI (12, 13, 14) and most Xiaomi models, including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and others. If your device runs on a “pure” Android One (for example, Mi A3), some methods may not work – we will also mention this separately.

1. Hiding the navigation bar through MIUI settings (no root)

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in options. Xiaomi allows you to hide the navigation bar in full-screen applications (such as games or videos), but not all versions of MIUI have the option to disable it completely.

Open Settings → Display → Full-screen mode. Here you will see two key parameters:

• 🔹 Hide the navigation bar – includes automatic hiding when scrolling down (not working in all applications).
• 🔹 Full-screen gestures – activates swipe control, but the panel can remain visual (depending on the model).

If you don't have the option to Hide the navigation bar, try the alternative path: Settings → Additional settings → Full-screen display → Hide the bottom panel. On some devices (POCO F3, Redmi K40), this item is hidden deeper.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with Android One (e.g. Mi) A2/A3) This method won't work. Instead, use the gesture settings in the System section. → Gestures → System navigation.

2. activation of full-screen gestures (replacement of the panel with swipes)

If you don't have to remove the panel completely, but you just have to replace it with gesture control, this is perfect. It's officially supported by Xiaomi and doesn't require superuser rights.

• 👆 Back up - swipe from right to left at the edge of the screen.
• 🏠 Return to the main screen - swipe up from the bottom edge.
• 📄 Open recent apps – swipe up and hold.

To enable gestures:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
2. Choose Full-screen gestures (or Gesture navigation in newer versions).
3. Turn on the option and follow the tips on the screen for training.

Once activated, the navigation bar will disappear, but in some applications (for example, in YouTube or Chrome) a thin bar at the bottom may appear. This is normal - it is necessary for swipes to work correctly. If the bar is annoying, try the method with ADB (section 4).

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If gestures are not working smoothly, check the sensitivity of the screen in Settings → Display → Touch sensitivity. On some models (POCO X3 Pro) it helps to increase the sensitivity to the maximum.

3. Use of immersive display mode (for developers)

Immersive Mode allows you to hide the system panels (including navigation) in any application, which requires activation of developer options, but does not need root rights, suitable for temporary hiding the panel, for example, while watching videos or games.

How to turn on:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
3. Find the option Full-screen immersion (or Immersive Mode) and select Full-screen mode.

Now, in any app, you can hide the navigation bar by swiping your finger down from the top edge of the screen (as in calling the notification bar). To return the panel, swipe up from the bottom edge. Note that in some games, this method may conflict with the internal settings of full-screen mode.

4. Disable the panel via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods didn’t work, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to completely disable the navigation bar at the system level, but requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, an advantage of which is that it works even on Xiaomi with Android One.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Switched on Debugging mode USB on a smartphone (in the settings of the developer).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (cmd in Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, go further.
3. Execute the command to disable the navigation bar: adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*
4. Reboot your smartphone.

To return the panel, use the command:

adb shell settings put global policy_control null

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14 If the screen does not respond to swipes after rebooting, reset with adb shell settings put global shell settings. policy_control null and use the method from the section 2.

5. editing system files (root users only)

This method is only suitable for power users with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk or other root solution installed. It allows you to permanently remove the navigation bar, but risks losing warranty or failure of the device if you do not act correctly.

The method is based on editing the build.prop file, which contains system parameters.

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Open /system/build.prop file in text editor.
3. Add a line to the end of the file: qemu.hw.mainkeys=1
4. Save the changes, restart the device.

If the panel disappeared after the reboot, but the gestures stopped working, go back to build.prop and delete the added line.

ro.build.type=userdebug

But its use can lead to unstable operation of the system.

6.Alternative solutions: third-party applications and launchers

If you don't want to go through the system settings, you can use third-party tools, which don't turn off the Android-level panel, but visually hide it or replace it with a more convenient one.

Popular applications:

• 📱 Nacho Notch – hides the navigation panel and the notch in the screen (works on the screen) MIUI 12/13).
• 🎨 Fluid Navigation Gestures – Replaces the panel with customizable gestures (requires) ADB activate).
• 🖥️ Nova Launcher – allows you to hide the panel in the home screen (but not in apps).

Please note that third-party applications may:

• 🔋 Increase battery consumption (due to constant background operation).
• 🛑 Conflict with system gestures MIUI.
• 🔒 Require additional permits (e.g. Special Opportunities).

Before installing, check the reviews about compatibility with your Xiaomi model.For example, the POCO F4 GT does not work well with Fluid Navigation Gestures due to optimized game gestures.

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Third-party apps are the safest way to hide a panel without tampering with the system, but they can conflict with MIUI updates and require regular reconfiguration.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off the navigation bar