Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but even its owners are not always aware of the hidden features of the interface. The limitless screen mode (or “full screen mode”) allows you to hide the system panels and use maximum display space for games, video or reading. However, depending on the version of MIUI and firmware, the path to this feature may differ – or not at all – in the menu.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to activate limitless mode on the Redmi Note 9 (including the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Note 9S models), explain why the feature may not work, and give you recommendations for customizing gestures for comfortable use, and also tell you how to return the standard display if the limitless screen is uncomfortable.
What is a Limitless Screen and Why You Need It
Limitless (or “full screen”) mode is a MIUI feature that hides the bottom navigation bar and the top status bar (with time, battery and notifications), resulting in content taking up 92% of the screen area instead of the standard 80-85%.
- 🎮 Games, for example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact, where every pixel is important for viewing.
- 🎥 Watch videos on YouTube, Netflix or local player – no black bars on the sides.
- 📖 Reading books or comics where text takes up the entire width of the display.
- 📱 Work with graphic editors (for example, Photoshop Express), where you need the maximum viewing area.
However, there are downsides to the mode: hidden panels are harder to call back (you need to use gestures), and some apps may not display correctly, such as Instagram or TikTok can “move” control buttons.
Verification of MIUI version and compatibility
Before you turn on the limitless screen, make sure your Redmi Note 9 supports this feature.It is available on all versions of MIUI 10 and later, but in some regional firmware (for example, for Europe or India) it can be disabled by default.
To check out the MIUI version:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Find the MIUI version line (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.2).
- If the version is older than MIUI 10, update the system through Settings → Software Update.
| Smartphone model | Minimum version of MIUI | Support for a limitless screen |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 9 (global) | MIUI 11.0.2 | Yes (includes in settings) |
| Redmi Note 9 Pro (Indian firmware) | MIUI 12.0.1 | Yes (gesture activation required) |
| Redmi Note 9S (European firmware) | MIUI 12.5.1 | Yes (possible display bugs) |
| Any model on custom firmware | Depends on the build. | No guarantee (may not be available) |
⚠️ Note: On smartphones with rooted firmware or Magisk installed, the limitless screen may not work stable. Before activating the function, check the integrity of system files through Settings → Additionally. → Diagnostics.
Method 1: Enable via MIUI settings (official method)
This is the easiest and safest way to do this, and it works on most devices.
- Open the Settings → Display.
- Select Full Screen Display (or Limitless Screen in new MIUI versions).
- Activate the switch Hide the lower navigation bar.
- Enable the option to Hide the status bar (if maximum space is required).
- Click Apply and restart your smartphone.
If the full screen display item is not in the menu, it means:
- 🔄 Your firmware is outdated – update it (see section above).
- 🌍 You have a regional version. MIUI (For example, in China, where the function is disabled, the solution is to change the region or install global firmware.
- 🛠️ There's been a system failure. Try resetting the display settings through Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the screen settings.
Check the MIUI version (not lower than 11.0.2)
Update the firmware if necessary
Make a backup copy of important data
Charge your phone at least 50%
Open the display settings-->
Method 2: Developer-Activated (for power users)
If the standard method doesn't work, you can turn on the limitless screen through the developer mode, which requires caution, because the wrong actions can lead to interface failures.
Steps for activation:
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times in a row on the MIUI Version until the notification You become a developer appears!
Settings → Additional → For Developers
Full-screen display
Force full-screen display
Hide the navigation panel
Hide the status line
Reset the device.
⚠️ Note: In Developer Mode, some apps (such as banking or Netflix) may block work due to changed system settings. If you encounter such a problem, return your default settings or turn off developer mode.
What to do if the navigation buttons are missing after activation?
Customization of gestures for convenient control
The limitless screen uses gestures instead of the classic "back," "home" and "recent" buttons, and if you activate this mode for the first time, it can be uncomfortable.
- Open the settings → Display → Full-screen gestures.
- Select gesture type: MIUI gestures - swipe up to return to the main screen, swipe sideways to return back. Android gestures - swipe from the bottom up and hold for multitasking (as on "pure" Android).
Sensitivity to edges
Test the application. If the gestures conflict with the interface of the game or program, go back to the classic buttons.
For a quick return to standard display:
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to temporarily show the status bar.
- Hold your finger at the bottom of the screen for 2 seconds to return the navigation bar.
💡
If gestures are not working smoothly, try calibrating the touch screen. Go to Settings → System → Additional → Screen Calibration and follow the instructions.
Solving the Problems with the Limitless Screen
Even after you set it up properly, there can be bugs, and here are the most common problems and solutions.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The screen twitches when scrolling | Conflict with animation settings | Turn off animation in Settings → For developers → Animation scale (select "Without animation") |
| Swipes don't work in games | MIUI gestures block game controls | Enable the game mode "Immersive Mode" or turn off full-screen mode for this application |
| The top notification panel disappears | Failure in status bar settings | Restart your phone or reset your screen settings |
| Applications are displayed incorrectly | Not all programs support full screen mode. | Add the application to exceptions through Settings → Annexes → Application management → [select] → Full-screen display → Shut down. |
If none of these methods worked, try:
- Install an alternative launcher (such as Nova Launcher) that supports setting up screen indentations.
- Use the Nacho Notch app (requires root) to force the notches and panels to hide.
- Return to the factory firmware via Fastboot (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
💡
Before resetting or flashing, always back up your data through Settings → System → Backup. This will save your contacts, photos and app settings.
How to turn off the limitless screen and return the standard display
If the full screen mode is inconvenient, it is easy to deactivate:
- Open Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
- Turn off the switches Hide the bottom navigation bar and Hide the status bar.
- Reboot the phone.
If the settings are not saved or the screen remains limitless:
- 🔧 Reset the screen settings through Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset the screen settings.
- 📱 Install a third-party launcher (such as Microsoft Launcher) and configure the display through its settings.
- 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version – sometimes bugs are fixed in new builds MIUI.
⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 12.5 After the limitless screen is turned off, artifacts (e.g., black stripes on the sides) may remain. To eliminate them, change the screen resolution to Settings → Display. → Resolve the screen to another value and then return it back.