How to increase the navigation buttons on Xiaomi: all ways to MIUI 14 and 15

Small navigation buttons on Xiaomi’s screen are a common problem for users with poor eyesight or large fingers. Even on flagships like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the Redmi Note 13 budget models, the standard size of the virtual keys Back, Home and Recent can be uncomfortable. Fortunately, the manufacturer and third-party developers offer several ways to scale interface elements, including hidden settings and tools for power users.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for increasing navigation buttons, from basic MIUI settings to using ADB and specialized applications. We will focus on the nuances for different versions of firmware (including MIUI 14 and MIUI 15) and smartphone models. If you did not find a suitable way in the first sections, read to the end: there are little-known tricks hidden there!

Before you start making changes, make sure your device has the latest version of MIUI installed. Some settings may be missing or work differently on outdated firmware. Check the relevance of the software in the Settings menu → About Phone → System Update.

Standard MIUI settings: interface scale

The easiest way to increase navigation buttons is to rescale the overall display in the system, which affects not only virtual keys, but also all interface elements, including application icons and fonts, and is suitable for users who need large controls throughout MIUI.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Screen.
• 🔍 Select Text Size and Display (in some versions – Screen Size).
• 📏 Move the slider Size of display to the right to a comfortable value (we recommend starting with the 1.1x or 1.2x).
• ✅ Click Ready and confirm the changes.

⚠️ Note: Increase the scale by more than 1.3x This can lead to the pruning of text in some applications (for example, in Telegram or VKontakte). If after the changes, part of the interface became unreadable, return to the value of the text. 1.0x Try alternative methods from the following sections.

This method works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI version at least 12. On older firmware, the path to settings may differ: for example, in MIUI 11, the scale changes to Settings → Additional → Special features → Font size and display.

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Changing the scale of the display is a universal method, but it affects all interface elements, not just navigation buttons.

2. Customize gestures and virtual keys in MIUI

If you only need to zoom in on the navigation buttons without changing the rest of the interface, use the hidden gesture control options. MIUI 14/15 has a separate menu for setting up the virtual bar, where you can change its height and transparency.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings. → Screen.
2. Select Full Screen Mode (or Navigation Type in some models).
3. Activate the Navigation Button option (if you use gestures, switch to the buttons first).
4. Click on the Additional Settings (or Configure the Navigation Panel).
5. Move the navigation bar height slider to the right to increase the size of the buttons.

🔹 Important: On some devices (for example, POCO F5 or Redmi K60) This option can be called the size of the navigation bar or the size of the buttons. If you don't have a slider, then your model doesn't support this function through standard settings.

You can also use this menu:

• 🎨 Change the color of the navigation bar (useful for contrast).
• 🔄 Change the order of the buttons (for example, place “Back” on the right).
• 👁️ Hide the panel in full-screen applications (to save space).

3.Using ADB for fine tuning (for advanced)

If standard settings don't work, you can use the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which allows you to change system settings that are not available through the GUI, and is suitable for users who are ready to work with the command line.

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system failures, and we recommend you back up your data before you start. ADB, skip this section or seek help from an experienced user.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on MIUI Version until the notification “You are a developer” appears.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

ADB Tools

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.full=*

This command disables full-screen mode for all applications, which can make the navigation bar more visible, but to directly resize the buttons will require a different command:

adb shell wm overscan 0,0,0,-50

The value of -50 reduces the lower limit of the screen, effectively increasing the height of the navigation bar. Experiment with numbers (for example, -30 or -70) to achieve the optimal size. To return everything back, type:

adb shell wm overscan 0,0,0,0

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) The wm overscan command may not work due to manufacturer limitations, in which case try an alternative method to change the density of the screen:

adb shell wm density 400

Here, 400 is the density value (DPI). The smaller it is, the larger the interface elements. Standard values for Xiaomi are 440 (high density), 320 (low). After you use, restart the device.

4. Third-party applications for customization

If you don't want to mess with system settings or ADBs, you can use third-party apps to customize the interface, which offer flexible tools to change the size, color, and even shape of navigation buttons.

The best applications for this task:

• 🔧 NavStar allows you to resize, transparently and position virtual keys, works without root, but requires permission to display on top of other applications.
• 🎨 Fluid Navigation Gestures - replaces the standard navigation bar with a customized one with adjustable size.
• 🛠️ Button Mapper is an advanced tool for reassigning and scaling buttons (including physical ones). ADB fully functional.

Example of settings in NavStar:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Grant permission to display on top of other apps (in Android settings).
3. Select the navigation type (3-button bar).
4. Go to Settings → Button Size and set the value from 120% to 150%.
5. Click Apply and restart the launcher.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Fluid Navigation Gestures) may conflict with system gestures MIUI. If after installation there are lags or buttons stopped working, disable the third-party utility and return the standard settings.

On root-access devices, customization capabilities are expanded significantly, for example, the Xposed Edge or GravityBox module allows you to resize navigation buttons to pixel accuracy, as well as add additional controls.

5. Change button sizes through MIUI themes

Few people know, but some MIUI themes from the official store offer alternative styles of the navigation bar, including enlarged buttons.This method requires no technical skills and is completely safe.

How to find the right topic:

• 🌈 Open the Themes app on your Xiaomi.

🔹 Tip: If you don't like the overall design of the theme, but the navigation buttons are more convenient, you can return the standard style for the rest of the elements:

1. Go to Topics. → My subjects.
2. Choose Mixed Theme.
3. For the navigation bar, leave a new theme, and for the rest of the elements, return the standard one.

The downside of this method is the limited choice of really large button themes, but it is ideal for users who want to avoid technical manipulation.

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Before using the theme, check the reviews of other users – some themes may contain advertising or incorrect display of interface elements.

6.Alternative launchers with customizable navigation panel

If none of the previous methods worked, consider installing an alternative launcher, and many offer their own navigation bars with flexible size and appearance settings.

The best launchers for Xiaomi with support for customization of buttons:

* To fully customize the navigation bar in Rootless Launcher will require one command ADB: adb shell pm grant com.amirz.rootless.launcher android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS.

Example of settings in Nova Launcher:

1. Install a launcher from Google Play.
2. Go to Settings Nova → Gestures and controls.
3. Select the Navigation Panel and activate the option to Show the Navigation Panel.
4. In the Size section, set the value of Big or Very Large.

🔹 Important: Alternative launchers replace the standard interface MIUI, So some features (like Super Wallpapers or Control Center) may not work properly.

7. Android Special Features: Increase for Visually Impaired

If you want more than just big buttons, but the most accessible interface, use the built-in features of Android special features. They are designed for users with visual problems, but they are suitable for those who want to make as many controls as possible.

How to turn on:

• 👁️ Go to Settings. → Special facilities.
• 🔍 Select Increase (or Screen Size).
• 📱 Activate the option Large pointer and zoom in when touching.
• 🔄 In the section Font size and style set the maximum value for font size and Fat text.

To make even more sense:

1. Turn on Color Inversion (increases button contrast).
2. Activate Touch Notifications – when you press the button, a visual backlight will appear.
3. Use the Voice Assistant to control gestures (useful if the buttons are still difficult to press).

⚠️ Warning: Enabling all of these options at the same time can significantly increase the CPU load, especially on budget devices (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3). If the smartphone started to slow down, turn off unnecessary functions.

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Features are the most reliable way to increase buttons without risk to the system, but they can affect performance.

FAQ: Frequent questions about increasing navigation buttons