The interface of modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO has undergone significant changes with the release of the shells MIUI 10 and subsequent versions of HyperOS. Users accustomed to the classic three buttons at the bottom of the screen, often feel uncomfortable when switching to swipe management. Gestures save usable display space and speed up work, but for many they remain unusual and uncomfortable. There is a natural desire to return to the time-tested method of navigation or completely disable unnecessary interface elements that interfere with the view.
In this article, we will take a look at all aspects of navigation management in Xiaomi smartphones. You will learn how to switch from gestures to buttons, how to remove intrusive prompts at the bottom of the screen and what hidden settings are available through the engineering menu. Deep integration of the control system into the MIUI shell allows you to flexibly adjust the behavior of the interface, but requires a careful approach to parameters. We will look at the standard methods and advanced features for advanced users who want to gain full control of their device.
Before you make any changes, it’s worth noting that the process is reversible at any time. Xiaomi’s system settings allow you to instantly switch between modes, so you can experiment without fear of damaging the software. However, there are nuances associated with app adaptation and third-party launchers that you need to know about in advance. Understanding these mechanisms will help avoid typical mistakes and make using your smartphone as comfortable as possible for you.
Standard methods of switching navigation in MIUI and HyperOS
The main and most secure way to change the type of navigation is to use the built-in system settings menu. Xiaomi has provided a simple way for those who want to refuse gestures. You do not need a root right or connection to a computer. Just open the Settings app and proceed to the additional section where the System Navigation item is located. Here is a choice between two main modes: Full-screen gestures and Buttons.
When you select Button mode, you'll see three virtual keys on the screen. It's important to note that you can change the order if you're used to a specific layout. Some firmware versions offer the option of hiding buttons when watching videos or reading, which creates a full immersion effect. Virtual buttons consume minimal resources but take up a portion of the usable area of the display, which is especially noticeable on screens with an aspect ratio of 18:9 and above.
⚠️ Warning: When switching navigation modes, it may take a few seconds to restart the SystemUI system process. Don't panic if the screen fades or blinks for a moment - this is the normal behavior of the shell.
If the standard path seems too long, you can search by settings, just type the word “navigation” or “gestures” in the search bar, and the system will suggest the desired menu item, which is especially convenient in new versions of HyperOS, where the menu structure has been significantly revised, this approach ensures that you get to the right section, even if the location of items has changed after the software update.
It is worth mentioning that depending on the region of the firmware (Global, Chinese, European) item names may differ slightly. However, the logic remains the same for all devices of the brand. The navigation system algorithm is laid at the level of the Android framework, so the basic principles are the same for the Redmi Note, Poco F series and flagships Mi. The main thing is to find the right login to the settings menu, after which the change of parameters will take no more than one second.
How to hide gesture hints at the bottom of the screen
Many users confuse the complete disabling of gestures with the need to remove the thin bar at the bottom of the screen, which is a visual confirmation that the full-screen gesture mode is active, and it is impossible to remove it while leaving swipe control, the regular tools of the system, because it is a system element of the interface, but there are ways to minimize its impact on the perception of content or hide it in certain applications.
Some of the themes available in the Themes store offer the ability to change the style of the strip or completely disappear when you use the screen. The third layer of nesting of the theme settings may contain parameters that affect system indicators. Installing such a theme is a legal way to change the appearance of the interface without deep interference with the system code. The visual component of MIUI allows you to customize many elements, but the basic navigation functions remain protected from accidental removal.
- 📱 Standard bar indicates the ability to swipe from the bottom up to return to the desktop.
- 🎨 Changing the theme of the design can change the color or shape of the indicator, making it less noticeable.
- ⚙️ In Do Not Disturb mode or when games are launched, the strip is often hidden automatically.
- 🚫 Complete strip removal without root rights and modification of system files is impossible.
There is also an option to hide navigation elements when watching a full-screen video. If you rotate your smartphone horizontally, the system automatically removes unnecessary elements, providing maximum space for content. This behavior is adjusted in the settings of a particular application or in general display parameters. The adaptive interface tends to be unobtrusive, but completely ignore system markers in portrait mode developers do not allow.
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Use dark themes to make the bottom bar of the display virtually invisible against the black background of the interface, which will visually reduce its size.
Attempting to hide this strip through special overlay apps often leads to system conflicts. Android strictly controls the area reserved for navigation. Any attempts to overlay its layer can be considered a potential threat by the security system. So the most sensible solution is either to get used to the indicator or switch to button navigation, where this element is not displayed at all.
Setting sensitivity and response speed
After switching to gestures or buttons, users often notice that the smartphone's response to touch seems too fast or, conversely, late. MIUI You can fine-tune the animation and response speeds, and you have to activate the developer mode to access those parameters, and you can do that by quickly tapping the version number seven times in the About Phone section. After the corresponding notification appears in the settings menu, a new item will appear Additional → For developers.
Inside this section, we're interested in window and animation settings. Window animation, transition animation, and animation duration scales directly affect how quickly the system responds to your actions. Reducing values to 0.5x or even turning off animations will make the interface more jerky, but instantaneous. The touchscreen response also depends on these settings, since visual delay is often perceived as input lag.
| Animation parameter | Value 1x (Standard) | Value 0.5x (Accelerated) | Disconnected. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window animation | Smooth appearance | Rapid appearance | Instantly. |
| Transition animation | Smooth swipe | Abrupt transition | No effect. |
| Duration of animation | Standard pause. | Short pause. | No pause. |
You shouldn't overuse the power of shutting down all the animations. The visual link between the user's actions and the system's response helps the brain adapt faster. The complete lack of transitions can create a sense of "breakdown" of the interface. The optimal balance is 0.5x, which keeps things smooth but speeds things up dramatically. Experiment with these settings to find the perfect one.
☑️ Optimizing the speed of the interface
Using third-party launchers to replace navigation
If Xiaomi’s regular tools don’t suit you, third-party launchers come to the rescue, and these are apps that completely replace the desktop and often offer their own navigation bars. Popular options like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Lawnchair allow you to implement your own sets of buttons or gestures that work on top of the system, which gives you the opportunity to create a unique interface that is not like the standard MIUI.
However, using third-party launchers on Xiaomi has its own peculiarities: aggressively optimizes background processes, which can lead to a launcher crash or reset navigation settings. To avoid this, you need to fix the application in memory and allow auto-start. In the battery settings, you need to select the “No restrictions” mode for the selected launcher, the stability of the operation in this case depends entirely on the correct configuration of permissions.
⚠️ Note: When installing a third-party launcher, Xiaomi’s system gestures may conflict with the new interface’s gestures. It is recommended to temporarily disable system gestures or get used to the priority of a new launcher.
Some launchers offer a smooth navigation feature that emulates gestures from iPhones or older Android smartphones. This can be useful if you’re switching from a different platform, and installing it opens up thousands of pre-made themes and icons. Customization reaches its peak, allowing you to change literally every pixel on the screen, including the behavior of the Home button and the multitasking menu.
Why can the launcher not work properly?
Advanced customization via ADB and engineering menu
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method of configuring navigation through the command line. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This is a way to change hidden options that are not available in the regular menu, for example, you can change the size of the indentations for gestures or completely reassign the actions of long presses. USB and installed drivers ADB.
Commands are entered in the terminal on the computer after connecting the smartphone in debugging mode. The example of a command to change the behavior of the navigation bar can look difficult, but gives complete control. Modifying the Android registry through ADB allows you to achieve results that are not available to other methods. However, be extremely careful: an error in the syntax can lead to an inoperability of the interface.
adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*This command, for example, puts the system into full immersion mode, hiding the system bars. But be prepared for the fact that to return changes you will need to reset or enter a reverse command. The engineering level of access does not forgive errors, so always write down the initial values of the parameters before changing them. Use this method only if you understand what you are doing.
- 💻 PC and cable required USB plug-in.
- 🔧 You need to activate the debugging USB developer-like.
- ⚠️ High risk of system stability disruption with incorrect commands.
- 🔑 Provides access to hidden settings that are not available in the menu.
An alternative to manual commands is an assistant application like Button Mapper or ADB AppControl. They allow you to apply complex one-click settings as a graphical shell for ADB. This reduces the risk of error, but does not eliminate the need for wide resolutions. The flexibility of settings in this case is almost limitless, allowing you to reassign even physical volume buttons to run specific navigation functions.
Solving problems with gestures and buttons
Often, users are faced with a situation where gestures stop working correctly: swipes do not recognize, buttons stick or disappear. The first step should always be to reboot the device. This trivial action solves 90% of the software glitches associated with the SystemUI process freezing. If the reboot did not help, check for system updates, as Xiaomi regularly releases patches that correct touchscreen errors.
The second cause of problems can be conflicting applications. Pop-ups, memory cleansing, or accelerators can intercept screen control. Try running your smartphone in safe mode to eliminate the influence of third-party software. If in safe mode gestures work perfectly, then the problem is in one of the installed applications. Conflict diagnosis is an important stage of troubleshooting, which is often missed.
It is also worth checking the safety glass or film. If they are not glued correctly or have thick edges, they can physically interfere with the recognition of swipes along the edge of the screen. Calibration of the screen through the engineering menu (code # # #64663##) will help determine whether the touchscreen sees pressing on the edges. Physical factors are often ignored, although they are a frequent cause of "glitches."
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If gestures are working with a delay, try turning off energy savings for system processes and increase the frequency of touchscreen survey in game mode.
As a last resort, if software failures don't fix, you may need to reset completely. Be sure to back up your data before you do that. Reset will return all system parameters, including navigation settings, to factory values. This is a radical but effective method of dealing with deep configuration errors.