The MIUI 12 interface has brought a lot of visual changes, but for many users, one of the most annoying details has been the wide bottom bar, which is often called a "bang" or "chinpits" to make navigation easier with gestures, but it overlaps content in games and videos, and just takes up useful screen space. Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often look for a way to get rid of this visual noise to get a clean image.
There are a number of ways to remove the bottom bar on MIUI 12, depending on whether you're willing to completely abandon the classic control buttons. Standard system settings allow you to switch to gesture mode, where the stripe can disappear or become minimal. However, there are more advanced methods that require the use of ADB or third-party applications if the regular functions do not produce the desired result. It is important to understand that completely hiding the element may require changes in system parameters.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from simple menu switches to USB debugging. You will learn how to configure navigation so that it is convenient for you, and what hidden opportunities your shell hides. The instructions will be useful for both beginners and experienced users who want to customize their gadget.
Problem analysis: why the strip interferes and what it is
The bottom bar in MIUI 12 is a gesture control indicator that appeared in Android 10 and was actively implemented by Xiaomi in its shell. Its main function is to tell the user that to return to the home screen you need to swipe up. The problem is that in MIUI 12 this element often has a fixed height and color that can contrast with a dark topic or merge with content, creating visual dissonance.
Many users have noted that the stripe is particularly intrusive in the horizontal mode when watching videos or in games. Although modern applications can hide navigation elements, in MIUI this process sometimes does not work correctly. The stripe can "climb" on top of the video player or occupy part of the game interface, which reduces the level of immersion, and it occupies precious pixels on screens with an aspect ratio of 20:9.
⚠️ Warning: Hiding the navigation system elements completely can make it harder for you to navigate the interface, especially if you’re used to standard Android tips.
It’s also worth mentioning that the behavior of the strip depends on the version of Android on which your MIUI is based.In newer updates, Xiaomi has added the ability to hide the indicator when watching media, but in basic mode it remains visible.
Standard method of disabling through system settings
The easiest and safest way to remove the bottom bar is to use the built-in features of the system. In MIUI 12, the developers provided switching between buttons and gestures, as well as adjusting the appearance of the navigation. First, you need to go to the settings menu of your smartphone. Find the Settings → Screen → Navigation section (the path may vary slightly depending on the version).
Here you'll see two main options: "Buttons" and "Gests." If you have Gestures, the bar will be displayed by default. However, if you switch to Buttons, the bottom bar will disappear, giving way to three virtual keys. This is a classic method that many people find more convenient to work with one hand. Select Buttons to completely get rid of the horizontal line.
If you don't want to give up gestures, but you want to make the bar less visible, check the additional options in the same menu. In some versions of MIUI, the option "Hide the gesture indicator" is available. Activation of this feature makes the bar semi-transparent or hides it when it is not in use. Also worth paying attention to the theme settings: some design themes can forcefully change the view of the navigation bar.
Using hidden settings through ADB
For those who want to leave gesture control but are reluctant to see the bottom bar, there is a method using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and executing several commands. It is safe if you follow the instructions, but gives access to hidden system flags that are not available on the regular menu.
Before starting the procedure, you need to activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. After the message “You became a developer”, go back to the main settings menu, find the Additional → For Developers section and turn on the USB debugging switch.
☑️ Preparation for use ADB
After preparation, connect the phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB. Enter the following command to hide the navigation bar:
adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*This command forces the system to fully immersive mode, hiding all system barers, including the bottom bar. If you want to return everything as it was, use the command adb shell settings delete global. policy_control. This method is the most effective way to completely hide the elements of the interface without root-rights, but requires the presence of a computer at hand.
Comparison of navigation methods in MIUI 12
The choice of control method affects not only the presence of the lower strip, but also the overall ergonomics of the smartphone. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the different navigation modes in MIUI 12, which will help you determine which option is suitable for your use case.
| Parameter | Buttons | Gestures (standard) | Gestures + ADB (hidden) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presence of a strip | No. | There is. | No. |
| Comfort in games | Average. | High. | Maximum. |
| Adjustment rate | Instant. | 2-3 days | A week. |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | Normal. | Normal. |
As you can see from the table, using buttons is the easiest way to remove a strip without unnecessary manipulation. However, gesture mode, even with a strip, provides a more modern interaction with content, allowing you to swipe from the edges of the screen. Hidden mode via ADB combines the advantages of both methods, but requires technical training.
It's worth noting that in MIUI 12.5 and later, the gesture logic has been improved a little bit, the indicator has become thinner and less intrusive, and if you upgrade to the latest version available, maybe the standard strip will stop annoying you, and the need for complex methods will disappear.
Third-party applications for interface customization
If system methods and ADB seem too complex or inconvenient, you can turn to third-party launchers and apps to customize navigation. Google Play offers many utilities that can overlap the standard navigation bar with their interface. One popular solution is the Fluid Navigation Gestures app.
These apps create a layer on top of the system, allowing you to customize the sensitivity of gestures, their appearance and behavior, so you can customize the application so that it completely ignores the MIUI system bar and draws its own, thinner, or no drawing at all, which gives you flexibility that is not available in standard settings.
Risks of using third-party launchers
However, this method has its drawbacks: Third-party applications require extensive permissions to access the system, which can affect security and performance, and MIUI is known for its aggressive work with background processes, so the navigation application can periodically “fly out” or stop working, requiring re-activation.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users often face various difficulties in setting up navigation, such as after using a command. ADB The strip may disappear, but swipes to switch between applications will stop working, in which case try changing the command by adding exceptions for specific applications, or use a softer option: adb shell settings put global settings. policy_control immersive.status=*.
Another common problem is that the bar appears in full screen mode in games or videos. Make sure that the MIUI settings include the option “Hide the cutout and navigation elements.” This is located in the Settings → Screen section. If the option is on but not working, try restarting the device or resetting the settings of a particular application.
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If the fingerprint scanner in the screen stops working after hiding the strip, temporarily return standard navigation. Some scanner drivers conflict with full immersion mode.
Also worth remembering is the physical features of the screen: on smartphones with curved edges (curved display), hiding the navigation bar can lead to accidental pressing of the edge of the palm, in such cases, it is better to leave a minimum bar-indicator so that the system understands the boundaries of the workspace.
Impact of MIUI updates on navigation
Xiaomi regularly updates its shell, and with each major update (for example, the transition from the new model to the new model). MIUI 12 on MIUI 12.5 or MIUI 13/14) In recent versions, the company is trying to make navigation more intuitive by reducing visual noise. In the future, the ability to fine-tune the stripes will appear in the standard menu without the need to use the new device. ADB.
Users are advised to keep an eye out for system updates. Often, bugs related to displaying the navigation bar are patched in security patches. If you have a problem with the strip, check if a new update has come out for your Xiaomi or Redmi model.
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The flexibility of the MIUI setup allows each user to choose the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality, whether it’s classic buttons or hidden gestures.
In conclusion, removing the bottom bar in MIUI 12 is a real possibility, depending on your technical skills and your willingness to experiment with system settings, start with simple methods through the menu, and only if they don't suit you, move on to more complex options using a computer.