Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often struggle to optimize screen space by removing the usual but space-consuming controls. The Redmi 8, with its classic form factor, uses three buttons at the bottom of the display to navigate. However, the current MIUI Android operating system offers a more ergonomic solution, gesture control, which allows for more usable screen area and more comfortable use of the device with one hand.
The process of switching from buttons to gestures doesn't require super-user rights or complex programming. All the necessary tools are built into the standard system settings that are available to every user. It's important to understand that changing the way you navigate is a matter of habit, and the early days may require some adaptation. However, most users note that after switching to gestures, you don't want to go back to the buttons.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the steps you need to remove the bottom buttons on your device, we will look at standard switching methods, sensitivity settings, and also touch on the questions related to the bar-indicator that appears when you activate gestures, you will get a complete idea of how to make the interface of your Redmi 8 more modern and minimalist.
The Benefits of Handling Gestures Over Buttons
The move to gesture control is not just a fashion homage to Apple and Google; it’s a real improvement in ergonomics, especially for larger-screen devices like the Redmi 8. Buttons occupy a fixed area at the bottom of the screen that often overlaps content in apps or interferes with the handset’s comfortable holding, while gestures free up that area by allowing apps to take advantage of the array’s full pixel capacity.
And gesture navigation is often faster, and swiping across the screen is intuitive, and doesn't require shifting the grip of the device to hit a specific button, and this is especially true when using a smartphone with one hand, and the system navigation is smoother and more dynamic, making it visually more enjoyable to work with the MIUI interface.
It's also worth noting the impact on visual perception: the lack of static elements at the bottom of the screen creates a sense of seamless interface, the picture looks holistic, nothing distracts from the content. For those who watch a lot of videos or read texts from the phone, this is a significant plus.
Step-by-step instructions for the inclusion of full-screen mode
To activate gesture control and remove the buttons, you need to go to system settings. MIUI may vary slightly from one version to the other, but the logic of the menu is the same. First, unlock your smartphone and find the Settings icon on your desktop that looks like a gear, which is the control center for the entire device.
In the menu that opens, scroll down to the "Additional" section or look for "Fullscreen Mode" right away. In some firmware versions, this item may be inside the "System Navigation Elements" category. When you click on it, you'll see two options: "Buttons" and "Gests." Choose the second option.
☑️ Switching algorithm
When you switch, the bottom buttons will disappear instantly, and a thin bar at the bottom of the screen may appear to indicate that gesture mode is active, and navigation is now done by swipes: swipe from the bottom up returns to the desktop, a latency swipe opens the multitasking menu, and a swipe from the side faces acts as a back button, which usually takes no more than a couple of days of active use to master.
Setting up sensitivity and gesture area
Once you have managed to disable the buttons, the system may suggest adjusting the sensitivity of the side zones. This is a critical step, since the default zone for the Back swipe can be too narrow or, conversely, too wide, causing random positives in games or when you flip through tapes.
So here you'll see a slider that adjusts the width of the side swipe, and by moving it around, you can make the response area wider if the swipes don't recognize, or if they're interfering with the apps. Xiaomi also lets you choose which side of the screen the Back swipe will work from: left, right, or both sides only. Right-handed swipe is more convenient, left-handed is more convenient, right-handed is more convenient.
⚠️ Attention: In some heavy games, the side swipe area may conflict with game mechanics.If you notice that the character is constantly turning when trying to swipe, temporarily switch to button mode or use Do Not Disturb mode with gesture locking.
Don't ignore this stage of settings. Properly calibrated sensitivity ensures that your smartphone is comfortable to use in the long run.If you use your phone frequently in a thick side case, you may need to increase the sensitivity of touches in a separate screen settings menu so that swipes register effortlessly.
How to hide or configure the indicator strip
Many users who have switched to gestures are annoyed by the thin white bar at the bottom of the screen, which serves as a visual cue, but in dark topics or watching a video it can be striking. Fortunately, MIUI has the ability to control its display. However, unlike buttons, completely remove it software without third-party tools or modification of the system (root) is often impossible, but you can make it less noticeable.
The Full-screen menu often has a "Hide Full-screen Indicator" switch on it, and if you activate this option, the strip will disappear, but the "home" gesture (swipe from the bottom up) will continue to work, a perfect compromise for those who want maximum minimalism, and if the concealment options are not in your firmware version, the strip will disappear automatically in full-screen applications and games.
Why can't the stripe hide?
Keep in mind that not having a visible strip requires a good knowledge of gestures by heart. You can no longer see where the swipe zone begins, so it is best for beginners to leave the indicator visible at least for the first week of use.
Comparison of navigation methods in MIUI
To make a final decision, it is useful to compare the characteristics of both management methods, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, which can be critical depending on the use cases of your Redmi 8.
| Characteristics | Three buttons. | Full-screen gestures |
|---|---|---|
| Screen occupancy | Take the lower lane | Minimum (indicator only) |
| Speed of access | Requires aiming. | Instant swipe |
| Training | Not required (intuitively) | It takes habituation (2-3 days) |
| ergonomics | Less comfortable with one hand | Optimal for one hand |
As you can see from the table, gestures are the winners in ergonomics and space use, but buttons remain the king of predictability, so if you give your phone to kids or older relatives who are used to the classic circuit, having buttons can be a more humane solution, so you can quickly switch back to the settings.
The effect on the battery is also worth noting: In theory, drawing static buttons or dynamic stripes consumes negligible amounts of power, but the difference can become noticeable over the year, although not critical. The main influence on autonomy is not the type of navigation, but the brightness of the screen and background processes.
Solving problems with navigation
Sometimes, after a system update or a setup reset, users find that gestures stop working correctly, or buttons don't go away. Often the problem is application conflict or system interface cache errors. If swipes don't respond, try restarting the device. This trivial action solves 90% of software failures in Android.
If the problem persists, check to see if the screen sensitivity mode is on, which sometimes conflicts with the security windows. Also make sure you have the latest version of the MIUI system component installed. Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version to check for updates.
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If gestures are delayed, try turning off animations in the Developer Menu, which will make the interface more responsive, though less fluid visually.
In rare cases, the culprit may be a third-party app that intercepts control, check which apps have Over Other Window permissions or special features, disabling suspicious programs can restore normal navigation, and if nothing helps, resetting the settings to factory will return the system to its original state.
Alternative ways to manage the interface
In addition to the classic buttons and gestures, MIUI has a third, lesser-known way, the floating button, which is a virtual sphere that can be dragged around the screen, not a complete replacement for the bottom buttons in the traditional sense, but can be useful for those who have physical buttons of a smartphone damaged or crashed.
You can activate this feature in the "Advanced" → "Floating button" menu, where you can configure actions for single tap, double tap or long-clamp, which creates an additional layer of customization, allowing you to take screenshots, for example, or launch the voice assistant with one touch.
However, for the "remove the bottom buttons" task, this method is more of an addition than a solution. The floating button also takes up space on the screen, although it can be moved into a corner. Most Redmi 8 users choose full-screen gesture control as the middle ground between functionality and screen freedom.
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Choosing a navigation method is a matter of taste, but gestures provide more space and a modern experience that matches the trends of 2026-2026.
To sum up, giving up the buttons on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a simple step that greatly refreshes the smartphone experience. Following the instructions above, you’ll easily customize the device to your needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment with sensitivity settings to find the perfect balance for your fingers.