Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where a floating interface element appears on the screen. On the Redmi 9 model, it can be a floating application window, a navigation ball or a notification that prevents full use of the device. Understanding the nature of this element is the first step to a successful solution to the problem. The floating window can be part of the system functionality or the result of third-party software.
In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of floating objects on your gadget’s display. You will learn to distinguish between MIUI system widgets and intrusive advertising. We will look at how to disable the Floating Window function, set up the Balloon and remove malicious applications.
Sometimes users confuse system functions with errors. It's important not to panic and consistently check the settings. The MIUI shell interface offers many customization tools that can be active by default. We'll help you clean up the system and remove unnecessary elements.
Identification of the floating element on the screen
Before you start deleting, you need to determine exactly what is displayed on the screen of your Redmi 9. This can be a translucent button, a thumbnail of a video player or a pop-up advertising message. The type of object depends on the next steps. Visual diagnosis will save you time.
System elements usually have clear boundaries and respond to touch in a predictable way. Advertising windows often overlap other applications and can open in the browser. Pay attention to the icon or text inside the floating block. Content analysis will tell you the source of the problem.
If an item only appears in certain applications, it's likely a multitasking feature, but if it pops up on a desktop or menu, it could be a system notification or a virus, and the context of the appearance plays a key role in diagnosis.
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Take a screenshot when a floating window appears, which will help you visually identify the source application through Task Manager or simply save it for search on the Internet.
Disabling the “floating window” function in applications
The most common reason for floating blocks is activated multitasking in specific applications. MIUI has a convenient mechanism that allows video or messengers to run in a rolled-up mode. To remove this window, you need to change the display settings.
Go to the settings menu on your smartphone. Find the section that's responsible for special features or application management. That's where the switches are hidden that allow windows to hover over other programs. Detailed control of each application will allow you to choose who is allowed to do it.
☑️ Floating window settings
Some versions of the firmware may have different paths, and you can search for the right item by settings by typing in the "floating" search, and the system will suggest you go to the right menu, and search is the fastest way to navigate in Xiaomi's complex menu.
Now, look at video and instant messenger apps, which often use this feature to make calls when you're using other programs. If you're not using video calls in the background, you can turn this option off for all applications. Optimizing the interface will make it cleaner.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling the function of the floating window for instant messengers can lead to the fact that video calls will not be displayed on top of other applications, but will unfold to the full screen or interrupt when folding.
Control of the navigational "Ball" (Quick Ball)
Redmi 9 users often refer to the circular button that hangs on the edge of the screen as a floating window, a Quick Ball feature designed for quick navigation, which emulates Home, Back and other system commands.
To remove this element, you don't have to go deep into the developer menus. You just have to go to the standard extension settings. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Additional settings → Floating windows (or "Fast Ball"). The settings interface is intuitive.
In the menu that opens, you'll see a switch, put it in the "Off" position, and the ball will disappear from the screen instantly, and if you accidentally turn on this feature, it could be activated when you unlock the screen with a certain gesture, and random activation is a common problem.
| Function | Location on the menu | Purpose of use | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floating window of the application | Application settings | Multitasking | Turn it off if it's in the way. |
| Quick Ball (Baby) | Supplemental settings | Navigation | Disable if not in use |
| Floating notifications | Notifications | Alerts | Set up filters |
| Advertising windows | Security / Applications | Marketing/Viruses | Remove the source |
Some users leave the Balloon for ease of one-handed operation. However, with its 6.53-inch screen, standard navigation is often enough on the Redmi 9.
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Quick Ball is only useful if physical buttons are damaged or if finger mobility is limited, and otherwise it is best to turn off to save screen space.
Fighting Floating Windows and Viruses
This is a very different situation if the floating window is advertising in nature and appears on its own, a sign that you have Adware or a virus on your Xiaomi, often disguised as system processes or useful utilities.
The first thing to do is to analyze newly installed applications. Malware is often embedded in flashlights, memory cleaners, or simple games. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications and sort the list by installation date. Suspicious programs should be removed immediately.
If you can't remove the app in the usual way (the Remove button is inactive or the app is hidden from the list), use Safe Mode. To log in, press the off button, and when the menu appears, keep your finger on "Stop" (or "Reboot", depending on the version of MIUI) for a long time. Safe Mode disables all third-party software.
How to remove the virus if it is not removed?
Once the malware is removed, it is recommended to conduct a full check with the built-in Security antivirus, which is in every Redmi. It is able to find remnants of malicious code. Regular hygiene of the installed applications will protect your phone in the future.
⚠️ Warning: Never click on links from pop-up ad windows and agree to install the "Flash Player Updates" or "antiviruses" that such windows offer.
Setting up floating notifications and messages
In addition to app windows, there are floating notifications that don't disappear on their own, which in MIUI is called floating notifications, which can be annoying if they come from games or news aggregators.
To manage this functionality, go to Settings → Notifications and Status bar → Floating Notifications. Here you will see a list of all the apps that have the right to display messages on top of the screen. Selective approach will leave important alerts and remove spam.
It is recommended to disable this feature for all entertainment apps and leave it only for instant messengers if you are waiting for an important call or message in a work chat. For social networks, ordinary notifications in the curtain are enough. Digital detox begins with the setting of notifications.
Also check the settings of a particular app that you're concerned about. Go to its card in the app menu, select Notifications, and find the category that handles pop-ups. Often it's marked "Important" or "Floating." Granular setting gives you complete control.
- 🔔 Turn off floating notifications for games so they don’t interrupt the process.
- 📱 Leave this function only for telephony and SMS, Not to miss an emergency call.
- 🚫 Block advertising notifications in the Chrome browser settings or MIUI Browser.
Additional settings of the MIUI interface
The MIUI shell on Redmi 9 is rich in visuals that can be mistaken for errors, such as “App Answers” or “Smart Window,” which allow you to quickly respond to messages or open links in a mini window.
If you see messenger links opening in a small window, this is the Smart Window function, which you can turn off in your browser settings or in the Special Opportunities section. Built-in browser functions often override system settings.
It's also worth checking the Advanced Settings section for experimental features included there. Sometimes updating the system will activate new chips that the user didn't know about. The relevance of the firmware can make changes to the behavior of the interface.
Remember that some themes (MIUI Themes) can add widgets or change the behavior of windows. If the problem occurs after a change in theme, try to return the standard design. Visual style should not interfere with functionality.