How to return the down screen control buttons on Xiaomi Redmi 9: all working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but owners often face a problem: suddenly disappear the usual navigation buttons at the bottom of the screen ("Back", "Home", "Recent"). Instead, they turn on controls that are not comfortable for everyone. The reasons may be different: accidental clicking in the settings, updating MIUI or a system failure.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to bring back the classic three-button bar on Redmi 9 (including the Redmi 9A/9C/9T models). From simple tweaks to radical measures, you’ll find a solution even if the standard methods didn’t work. And if the buttons disappeared after the update, learn how to roll back the changes without losing data.

Why the navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi 9 are missing

Automatic updates are most often to blame. MIUI. Starting with the version MIUI 12, Xiaomi aggressively promotes full-screen gestures by hiding the button-back option.But there are other reasons:

• 🔄 Resetting settings to factory (manually or after failure).
• 🤖 Activation of the mode "For the visually impaired" in special opportunities.
• 📱 Installation of custom firmware or modified launcher.
• 🐞 Software glitch after overheating or battery discharge to 0%.

On the Redmi 9 with factory firmware, buttons usually disappear after switching to MIUI 12.5+, where the option to return them is hidden deeper. If you were updating over the air (OTA), the system could automatically turn on gestures, considering them “more modern”.

Method 1: Enabling buttons through standard MIUI settings

If the buttons are gone after the update, but the system is stable, try returning them through the menu first.This method works on 90% of devices with MIUI 11-14:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Scroll down and select a full-screen display.
3. Slip on the Navigation Style (or Navigation Type in older versions).
4. Select “Buttons” (or Three Navigation buttons).
5. Confirm the change and restart the phone.

If you don't have a navigation style, your version of MIUI is hiding it.

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → About the phone and 5 times tap on the version MIUI, activate the developer mode.
• 🔧 Return to the main settings menu, open additional settings → For developers.
• 🔄 Find the default navigation type and set the “Three buttons” option».

Make sure the battery is more than 30% charged.

Close all background applications

Connect to Wi-Fi (if you need to download data)

- Make a backup of important files-->

Important! Some firmwares may display a warning after selecting the buttons: "This mode may not be supported." Ignore it, the buttons will still work after the reboot.

Method 2: Reset the launcher settings (without data loss)

If the buttons have disappeared after installing a new launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher, the problem may be its configuration failure. MIUI help:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Launcher (or MIUI Launcher) in the list and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear data and Clear cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

After the restart, the system will prompt you to select the default launcher - select the standard MIUI Launcher. If the buttons do not appear, check the navigation settings again (see Method 1).

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If the app icons disappeared from your desktop after the launcher was reset, don't worry, they're saved in the app menu. Just move them back manually.

Method 3: Reverse MIUI update (if the buttons are missing after the update)

If the problem appears immediately after the system update, the most reliable way is to roll back to the previous version of MIUI. This will help, even if the new firmware removed the option of button return. On Redmi 9, the rollback is possible only through Fastboot - recovery through Recovery will lead to locking the bootloader!

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Fastboot firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the archive with firmware and unpack it into a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
2. Turn off the phone, then press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. In the program, select a folder with firmware and press Refresh - the device must be determined.
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Attention! Firmware rollback will reset all data on the phone, including photos and apps. Pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 4: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If the settings don’t have a button return option but you don’t want to roll back the firmware, try enabling them via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).This method works on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12.5-14, but requires a PC connection.

What needs to be done:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.
2. Activate the developer mode (5 taps according to the MIUI version in the phone settings).
3. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 1
6. Reset the device.

If the buttons do not appear after the reboot, try the alternative command:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.trheebutton

⚠️ Attention, misuse ADB If after the commands the phone stopped responding to touches, reset via Recovery (click Volume up). + Power on-set).

Method 5: Install custom software (last chance)

If none of these methods work, you'll have custom firmware with classic buttons. Redmi 9 will work:

• 📱 Pixel Experience – Pure Android with customizable navigation.
• 🔧 LineageOS – stable firmware with open source.
• 🎭 MIUI by Xiaomi.eu - modified version MIUI high-set.

How to determine:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7 days).
2. Install custom Recovery (such as TWRP).
3. Download the firmware (for example, from XDA Developers) and transfer it to your phone.
4. Boot in. TWRP and sew ZIP-firmware.

Once installed in custom software settings, you will have full control over the navigation bar, including the ability to choose between buttons, gestures, and even customize them (for example, changing the order or adding additional buttons).

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Installing custom firmware voids the warranty and can result in the device being blocked if the process is disrupted. Use this method only if other methods have not worked.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to return buttons, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

Another common mistake is using informal patches to return buttons, solutions like modules for Magisk that may contain malicious code or disrupt the system, and if you're not sure about the source of the file, you'd better stop installing it.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions