How to Return the Bottom Screen buttons to Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS offer gesture control by default, which allows you to increase the usable display area and make interaction with the interface smoother. However, many users who have moved from older models or other brands feel uncomfortable with the lack of the usual Home, Back and Menu buttons at the bottom of the screen.

The absence of a physical or software navigation bar is often confusing, especially for those who are used to the classic control scheme. Fortunately, the Android system in conjunction with the proprietary shell makes it easy to change this setting. You can return buttons at the bottom of the screen in a few seconds without having superuser rights and installing third-party applications.

In this article, we will go into detail all the ways to switch between gestures and buttons, learn how to adjust sensitivity, change the location of the keys and what to do if standard methods do not work. The navigation bar is the foundation of smartphone management, and it should be convenient for you.

Difference Between gestures and buttons in MIUI

The MIUI interface has been changed a lot, and navigation management is one of the key differences between the current versions of the device and the previous ones. Gesture management involves swipes: swipe from the bottom up returns to the desktop, swipe with a delay opens the application menu, and swipe from the side performs the function of "back", which saves space, but requires addiction.

Button navigation, by contrast, provides fixed controls at the bottom of the display — typically three virtual keys or two if the central home button is hidden — and for many users, having visual landmarks is a critical factor in the usability of the device.

⚠️ Note: When switching to gestures, the bottom of the screen becomes a “blind spot” for some older applications that do not know how to properly scale for cutouts and bangs.

Choosing between the two is a matter of taste, but functionally they are the same, and virtual buttons can be more convenient for people with large fingers or with one hand in horizontal mode, when it is more difficult to reach the edges of the screen.

Main method: configuration through the system menu

The most reliable and correct way to return buttons is to use the built-in system settings, which do not require a connection to the computer and ensures that the interface works smoothly. The path to settings may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the shell, but the logic remains the same.

First, you need to open the main settings menu of your device, find the gear icon on your desktop or in the notification curtain, and you are interested in the section that is responsible for general system settings or directly for the screen.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Find Full-screen Mode (some versions may call it gesture control or navigation) and it is often hidden under the submenu of Additional Settings or System».
• 🔘 Select the buttons option instead of the gesture option, and the system will instantly apply the changes, and the navigation bar will appear at the bottom of the screen.
• 🔄 If you want to change the order of the buttons (for example, to “Back” was on the right, like on the iPhone, or on the left, like on classic Android), use the switch “Reflect buttons” or “Order of buttons».

Once you activate the buttons, you may notice a thin bar above them, which is normal for some firmware versions, but you can remove it, and the navigation bar will now work steadily, even when you reboot the device.

Hiding the gesture indicator and additional settings

Often, users are faced with a situation where buttons appeared, but with them there was a narrow bar at the bottom of the screen, which was originally intended for swipes, which can be annoying and visually reduce the useful space, you can remove this element through the same settings menu.

In the navigation control section where you chose the type of control, there's usually a separate "Hide gesture prompt" or "Remove the indicator" switch, which will make the interface cleaner by activating this feature, but it's worth remembering that without this bar, some system animations may look less smooth.

⚠️ Note: In some models with AMOLED-screens and camera cutouts complete concealment of navigation elements can lead to darkening of the corners of the screen to prevent pixels from burning out.

Also available in this section is the sensitivity setting of the edges of the screen if you decide to temporarily return to gestures, which helps to avoid accidental clicks. For button mode, it is more important to adjust the response time or vibration when pressed, if this option is provided by your version of MIUI.

If you can't get the strip off by standard means, you can use the engineering menu code, but it requires caution. In most cases, it's easy to switch the switch to the Full Screen Mode menu.

Use the Mi Settings app for advanced navigation

In some regions or on global firmware versions, navigation settings may be cut. To get full control over the interface, experts recommend using the official system application Mi Settings (or Mi Settings), which can be downloaded from the GetApps store or installed via the Internet. APK-file.

This app gives you access to hidden features, and after installation, run Mi Settings and find the Navigation section, and you'll find more detailed settings, including the transparency of the buttons, their size and horizontal behavior.

Using third-party, but proven system utilities from Xiaomi itself allows you to customize the experience without the risk of getting an account ban or a warranty violation.

Problems with displaying buttons in apps and games

There are times when buttons are set up, but in certain apps or games they disappear, and this is due to the Full Screen Mode feature for individual applications, the system automatically hides navigation to immerse itself in content, but sometimes it does so incorrectly.

To fix this, you go to the settings of a particular application or the general settings of full-screen mode. Find a list of applications that have this mode enabled for, and turn it off for those programs where you need buttons. This is usually done through the Settings menu → Full-screen mode.

If the buttons are missing completely throughout the system and the settings menu is not available, the SystemUI system process may have crashed, in which case a simple reboot of the device will help. If the problem persists, check if Do Not Disturb mode or special features that may block the interface are turned on.

⚠️ Note: If the buttons are missing after installing the theme, it means that the theme is not optimized for your version of Android. Return the standard theme in the Themes app to restore functionality.

It's also worth checking if the One Hand mode is activated, in which the screen shrinks and the navigation buttons may shift or become inaccessible. Turn off this mode in the "Additional settings" section.

Solving problems through ADB and debugging via USB

For advanced users who don't have standard methods, there's a way to force them to switch over the ADB debugging bridge. This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and having drivers. It allows you to change the system navigation setting directly.

First, activate the developer mode, and then seven times click on the build number in the About Phone section, then in the Developer menu that appears, turn on USB Debugging, plug the phone into your PC, and start the command line.

adb shell settings put secure policy_control immersive.prefer_apps *

This command can help to reset conflicts of full-screen mode, but to return the classic buttons, often enough the following command, which is forced to specify the navigation style:

adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 0

Using ADB commands gives you deep access to the system, but it requires care. A syntax error can lead to unexpected results, although the navigation parameter is usually easy to return.

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Before using ADB, make sure to back up important data. While changing navigation settings is safe, working with system settings always carries minimal risk.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Navigation button returns to Xiaomi are a software setting available in the Full-screen Mode menu, which does not require superuser rights and is completely secure for the device.