How to return buttons to Xiaomi: restore navigation on your smartphone

The problem with missing buttons on Xiaomi is one of the most common among MIUI users. Suddenly the navigation bar disappears, touch keys stop working or physical on/volume buttons fail. The reasons can be different from random changes in settings to system failure after the update. 80% of the time the problem is solved without going to the service center - just know the right steps.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to return buttons to Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO – from basic settings to advanced methods using ADB. Particular attention will be paid to models with a full-screen display (for example, Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12), where the navigation bar is often hidden due to gestures. All instructions are checked on MIUI 12-14 and are relevant for 2026.

If the buttons are missing after a system update, a phone drop or a custom firmware installation, don't panic. Most recovery methods take no more than 5 minutes. The main thing is not to try to disassemble the phone yourself if the problem is software: 95% of the breakages of the buttons on Xiaomi are related to settings, not hardware.

1. Check basic settings: gestures vs buttons

Chances are, the buttons on your Xiaomi aren't gone, but are simply hidden by the activation of gesture navigation. This is a standard MIUI feature that replaces the classic back, home and recent button bar with swipes across the screen to bring back the usual buttons:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Select Full-screen mode (on some models – Navigation buttons).
3. Switch to Navigation Button Mode (or 3-Knob Navigation).

If this item is missing, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Settings → Additional settings → Full-screen display
• 📱 Some of them. POCO: Settings → System system → Gestures

When you change the settings, the buttons should appear immediately. If this does not happen, restart the phone (power button). → Reboot. On models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Sometimes you need to calibrate the sensor – read about it in the next section.

2. Touch screen calibration and display resetting

If the navigation buttons are displayed but not responsive to the presses, the problem may be a sensor calibration failure, which often occurs after the phone falls, moisture hits, or a protective glass is installed.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap the MIUI version several times until the message “You are a developer!” appears.
3. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.
4. Find the Sensor Calibration option and follow the instructions on the screen.

If calibration didn’t help, try resetting the display settings:

• 🔄 Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the display settings
• ⚠️ This won’t delete your data, but it will return brightness, color gamut and navigation to factory parameters.

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On Xiaomi models with an infrared port (for example, Redmi Note 11) after calibrating the sensor, check whether the switched-on remote prevents the operation of the buttons. Disable it in Settings → Connections → Infrared port.

For devices with physical buttons (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3) that have stopped pressing:

• 🛠️ Check if the dirt has hit the button - clean the edges carefully with a toothpick.
• 💧 If the phone fell into the water, it is possible that the contacts oxidized - in this case, repairs are needed.

3. button recovery via ADB (for power users)

If the buttons are missing after updating MIUI or installing custom firmware, they can be returned via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for models where navigation settings are blocked (for example, on Xiaomi for the European market).

Important: to work with ADB, you need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging on the phone enabled.

Install Platform Tools from [the official Android website](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools)|Enable USB debugging in Settings → For developers |Plug your phone to your PC with the original cable |Allow debugging on your smartphone screen-->

Next, execute commands in the terminal (command line):

adb shell


settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 1 # Includes navigation bar




settings put global policy_control immersive.full=* # Resets immersive regime policies

For models with MIUI 13/14, where buttons may be hidden due to optimization for games, add:

settings put global hide_notch 0 # Shows the navigation bar in games

After you execute the commands, restart your phone. If the buttons do not appear, check if the navigation app installed (for example, Fluid Navigation Gestures or Nacho Notch) conflicts with the system.

4.Reset to factory settings: when nothing helps

If the buttons are missing after a failed update or virus attack, and previous methods have not worked, there is a hard reset, which will delete all data from the phone, so make a backup first:

• 📱 Through Settings. → Google → Backup (saves contacts, apps and part of settings).
• 💾 Or manually copy important files to your PC.

For discharge:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + volume button for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirm by power button).
4. After resetting, the phone will reboot to its original state.

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Xiaomi) 12/13 For global market), a reset via Recovery may require you to enter a password from your Mi Account. If you don't remember it, use [the official unlock instruction](https://account.xiaomi.com/).

After reset, the buttons should appear as standard, and if the problem persists, this may indicate a hardware malfunction (such as a dump of a display plume), in which case, contact the service center.

5. Features for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi devices have unique button issues, and the table below shows the typical cases and solutions:

For Xiaomi Black Shark (gaming smartphones), the buttons can be hidden from the Shark Space mode.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Touch the Shark Space icon (the icon with the game controller).
3. In the mode settings, turn off the option Full-screen immersive mode.

6. Alternative control methods without buttons

If you can not return the buttons, but the phone needs to be used urgently, use temporary solutions:

• 🖱️ USB-Mouse: Connect through OTG-Adapter – cursor will replace sensory gestures.
• 🎮 Gamepad: On models with support for Xiaomi Game Turbo (for example, Black Shark 5) you can connect the gamepad via Bluetooth.
• 📱 Navigation apps: Install Button Mapper or EasyTouch from Google Play to create virtual buttons.

For physical buttons (volume/on) that do not work:

• 🔋 If the phone doesn't turn on, plug in to charge - sometimes forced reboot through power clamping helps + volume reduction by 20 seconds.
• 📞 For an emergency call, use a voice assistant: say “OK, Google, call your mom” (if voice search is set up).

⚠️ Note: Do not install button-setting apps on Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader from unverified sources. In 2023, there were cases when such utilities (Button Remapper Pro) contained malicious code that blocked the screen completely.

7.Prevention: How to Avoid Button Problems in the Future

To prevent the buttons on Xiaomi from disappearing again, follow the simple rules:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Only through official channels (Settings) → System updates. Avoid beta versions of firmware.
• 🛡️ Install a protective glass with a cutout under the touch buttons - it should not block the navigation area.
• 🚫 Do not use apps to “accelerate” your phone (for example, DU Speed Booster – They often conflict with system processes.
• 🔋 Avoid full battery discharge – this can cause system failure and loss of navigation settings.

For models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi) K60) Check the sensor regularly through a hidden menu:

1. In the phone app, type ##6484##.
2. Choose the Manual Test → Touch Panel Test.
3. Swipe your finger across the screen – if the trail is interrupted, calibration or repair is required.

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Regular diagnosis of the sensor (once every 3 months) helps to identify problems with the buttons at an early stage, especially after falls or moisture.

Frequently asked questions