How to install and configure gestures on Xiaomi: all ways

The controls on Xiaomi smartphones have become an integral part of the modern MIUI interface, which allows you to abandon the classic navigation buttons, freeing up additional space on the screen and making interaction with the device more intuitive. However, not all users know how to activate and adjust gestures correctly — especially if we are talking about models with MIUI 14/15 or older versions like MIUI 12, where the settings interface is different.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to customize gestures on Xiaomi, including full-screen and classic options, as well as look at typical problems (for example, when gestures do not work after an update) and how to solve them.

Types of gestures on Xiaomi: what are and how are different

There are three main types of gestures available in MIUI, and their set depends on the firmware version and the smartphone model.

• 📱 Full-screen gestures are the most modern way of navigation, where swipes are used instead of buttons at the edges of the screen. MIUI 10+.
• 🔄 Classic gestures are an alternative to the standard "Back", "Home", "Recent" buttons, and gestures are performed at the bottom of the screen, simulating the clicks.
• ⚙️ Additional gestures – custom combinations for quick action (e.g., double-pressing the power button to start the camera). → Special facilities → Gestures.

The main difference between full-screen gestures and classic gestures is in the activation zone: in the first case, swipes are performed from any edge of the screen, in the second case, only in the lower part, where the buttons used to be located, this affects the convenience: for example, on large smartphones like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, full-screen gestures may be less accurate due to random touches.

How to enable full-screen gestures on Xiaomi (MIUI 12–15)

Activating full-screen gestures takes less than a minute, but the path to settings may vary depending on the version of MIUI. Here is a universal guide for most models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 14):

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the Display section.
3. Select Full Screen Mode (or Navigate System in New Versions).
4. Slip on the option Full-screen gestures.
5. Choose the gesture style: MIUI (default) or Android (if available).

Once activated, a thin white bar will appear at the bottom of the screen, which is a gesture indicator. To return the classic buttons, repeat the steps and select the Navigation buttons.

Make sure your smartphone is charged at least 30 times%|Close all background applications|Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone.|Make a backup copy of the settings (optional)-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Xiaomi Civi 3) after activating full-screen gestures, the battery indicator may disappear in the status bar. → Battery → Charge indicator and turn on percentage display.

Customization of classical gestures (alternative to buttons)

Classic gestures mimic the clicks on virtual buttons, but are performed by swipes at the bottom of the screen, which is suitable for those who are used to standard navigation, but want to free up some space on the display.

1. Go to Settings → Display → Navigation on the system.
2. Choose Gestures (classical).
3. Click Ready and follow the tips on the screen for training.

By default, swipe left is back, swipe up is home screen, swipe up late is opening recent apps. Guest sensitivity is available in Additional settings → Touch sensitivity.

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If classic gestures are triggered by chance (for example, in games), reduce sensitivity in settings or turn on the Game Turbo mode in Settings → Special features.

Additional gestures and quick actions

In addition to basic navigation, MIUI has hidden gestures for quick access to functions, which can be configured in Settings → Special Features → Gestures. Here are the most useful:

• 📸 Double pressing the power button – quick start of the camera (works even on a locked screen).
• 🔍 Triple tap on screen – zoom in (convenient for people with visual impairments).
• 🎵 Shake device – switch tracks in the player (configured in Settings) → Sound).
• 🔄 Gesture "V" - the inclusion of a flashlight (swipe down two fingers on the lock screen).

On models with an infrared port (for example, Xiaomi 13T), the gesture “double press the volume button down” opens the remote control by default, but it can be reassigned to another action.

To add a custom gesture:

1. Go to Settings → Special Features → Gestures → Additional Gestures.
2. Put a gesture on it.
3. Select an action (such as Launching an application or Opening a notification panel).
4. Draw the gesture path on the screen (e.g., the letter "M" to run the Mi Browser).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Pad 6 and other tablets, gestures can conflict with multi-touch commands in drawing apps (such as Krita or Adobe Fresco.

Problems with gestures on Xiaomi and their solutions

Even when properly tuned, gestures may not work properly, and here are typical problems and ways to fix them:

1.Gesturals don't respond or work again

Reasons:

• 🛠️ Damaged display module (often after falling).
• 🔄 Conflict with the shell (for example, after installing a third-party launcher).
• 📱 Failure of the sensor (especially on models with AMOLED-screens after long-term use).

Decisions:

• 🔧 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📲 Reset your gesture settings in Settings → Display. → Navigation through the system → Drop it.
• 🛠️ If the problem persists, check the sensor with the ##6484## test (not working on all models).

2.Gesturals work in portrait orientation, but not in landscape

This problem is typical for Xiaomi Pad and smartphones with support for DeX.

1. Open Settings → Display → Autoturn and make sure the function is enabled.
2. Go to Settings → Special Features → Gestures → Gesture settings and turn on the option to Work in Landscape Orientation.

3. Full-screen gestures conflict with apps

Some games (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) block system gestures.

• 🎮 Turn on the Game Turbo in the Notification Curtain.
• 🔧 In the game settings, disable the option Full-screen mode without cutouts.
• ⚙️ Use classic gestures or navigation buttons for these apps.

Features of gestures on flexible smartphones (Mix Fold, Mix Flip)

Flexible screen devices like the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 or Mix Flip have unique gestures optimized for multitasking.

• 📱 Screen split: Swipe from bottom edge up with a delay on the home screen opens multi-window mode.
• 🔄 Fast switching between internal and external display: double swipe on the edge of the screen.
• 🎯 Gesture for the camera: on the Mix Flip, double-pressing the power button in the folded state triggers the selfie camera.

These models also offer customized gesture sensitivity for each display separately, such as the Mix Fold 3 external screen, which allows you to turn off full-screen gestures to avoid random swipes.

To adjust gestures on flexible devices:

1. Open the settings → Display → Screen modes.
2. Select the Main Screen or the External Screen.
3. Click Navigation on the system and select the desired gesture type for each display.

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On Xiaomi’s flexible smartphones, gestures on the external and internal screens are customized independently, which allows you to optimize control for different use cases.

Comparison of gestures in MIUI and pure Android

If you switched to Xiaomi from another Android smartphone (like the Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy), it may be unusual for you to use MIUI gestures.

If you are uncomfortable with MIUI gestures, you can turn on the Android style in the navigation settings (available on MIUI 13+), however, some features (such as fast switching between apps) will not work in this mode.

FAQ: Frequent questions about gestures on Xiaomi