Xiaomi Redmi 4X, despite its age, remains a popular device due to its robust metal body and autonomy. However, the MIUI interface for which the brand is famous, often hides important settings under a variety of menus, which can confuse the inexperienced user. One of the first tasks that owners face after buying or resetting settings is managing the navigation bar. The lack of the usual Home, Back and Menu buttons at the bottom of the screen can be uncomfortable, especially if you are used to the classic Android control scheme.
In this article, we will discuss the process of activating screen keys, as well as alternative navigation methods. You will learn not only to turn on standard buttons, but also to adjust their order, hide if necessary, or switch to gesture control. Understanding these basic settings will allow you to make using your smartphone as convenient and personalized as possible for your habits.
Features of navigation in MIUI on Redmi 4X
The MIUI shell is very different from stock Android, offering a customized approach to workspace organization. In early versions of firmware, which are often installed on the Redmi 4X out of the box or installed by users, navigation could be implemented in different ways. The system allows you to flexibly manage how exactly you will interact with the interface, giving you a choice between virtual keys, touch zones or a combination of physical and on-screen elements.
It's important to understand that the navigation bar is a system element that consumes some of the battery and takes up useful space on the display. However, for many users, having visible buttons is a matter of habit and ergonomics. The physical button under the screen on the Redmi 4X is multi-touch, meaning it can recognize not only pressing, but also touching, which opens up additional control options without the need to include screen duplicates.
There are several ways to implement management, and the choice depends on your version of MIUI and personal preferences. Some users prefer minimalism, hiding everything superfluous, while others need visual cues to work quickly.
Activation of classic screen buttons
To enable the standard set of three buttons at the bottom of the screen, you need to go to system settings. This is the most common method and is suitable for most use cases. First, unlock the device and find the Settings icon on your desktop that looks like a gear. In some design themes, the icon may differ, but the name remains unchanged.
Once you enter the settings menu, scroll down to the Additional Settings section, and that's where the settings that affect the behavior of the system and interface are hidden. Depending on the firmware version, this item may be simply called "Advanced." Inside this section, you'll need to find Navigate buttons or buttons.
You'll be offered several options in the menu that opens. To activate the classic look, select the button option. The system will instantly apply the changes, and at the bottom of the screen you'll see three virtual keys. If you've only used a physical button before, you'll now have a full-fledged control panel.
☑️ Checking the navigation settings
It's worth noting that in some custom builds or very old versions of MIUI, the path may be slightly different. If you don't find the item, try searching for the settings. Type the word "buttons" or "navigation" into the search bar and the system will specify the desired section, which is especially true if the menu is not fully translated or if non-standard fonts are used.
Using a physical button and hiding the panel
A unique feature of the Xiaomi Redmi 4X is the physical button under the screen that supports various use cases. Many users prefer to hide the screen buttons completely, relying on the physical control and gestures, which allows you to free up space on the display and make one-handed use more comfortable.
In the Navigation button menu, there is a Hide option. When you choose this mode, the screenbar disappears, but the functionality remains available through the physical button and swipes. A brief click on the physical button usually returns to the desktop, and a long press can cause the voice assistant or other actions, depending on the settings.
⚠️ Warning: When choosing Hide mode, make sure you remember the basic control gestures, as there will be no visual cues on the screen. If you forget the combinations, access to the menu may be difficult.
For ease of navigation in hidden mode, the following actions are often used:
- 👆 Short press on the physical button – return to the desktop.
- 👈 Swipe from right to left at the bottom of the screen – back.
- 👆 Double-click on the physical button – Launch the camera or menu of the latest apps.
- 👆 Long press – call voice assistant (by default).
This makes the interface cleaner and more modern, but if you use applications that often require frequent switching between windows, the lack of a visible Menu button can be uncomfortable, so you can set up a double tap or a long press on a physical button to call up a list of running applications.
Secret setting of the physical button
Setting up the order and actions of the buttons
Once you've turned on the on-screen buttons, the system allows you to customize their location. The standard order for Android is Back, Home, Menu, but many users who are switching from iPhones or older phones are used to the reverse sequence. In Redmi 4X, this problem is very easy to solve.
In the same button navigation menu where you selected the display mode, find the button order switch (or "Button order"). By activating this switch, you instantly swap the back and me buttons. This small change can significantly improve the ergonomics of your smartphone, especially if it's installed in a car holder or used in gloves.
In addition to order, you can also adjust the actions of the buttons, for example, double-clicking the home button can be programmed to run a specific application, flashlight or screenshot.
- Go to Settings. → Additional settings.
- Select the button (separate from navigation).
- Find the Double Press or Long Press section.
- Select the desired function from the list or a specific application.
This flexibility allows you to turn a single physical or screen button into a powerful control tool, so you can set up the launch of a commonly used messenger or navigator in one action, saving time in everyday life.
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Use double-clicking the Home button to quickly start the camera – this works even with a locked screen, allowing you to not miss an important point.
Gesture Management: A Modern Alternative
With the development of smartphones and the increase in screen diagonals, manufacturers have begun to abandon buttons in favor of full-screen gestures. Although the Redmi 4X has a classic 16:9 proportion, it can also be implemented gesture control, especially if you have an updated version of MIUI installed.
To switch to gesture control, select Gesture from the navigation menu, in which the lower bar with the buttons disappears and swipes from the edges of the screen are controlled.
- 🌊 Swipe from the bottom up - return to the desktop.
- 🌊 Swipe from bottom to top with a delay - opening the menu of the latest applications.
- 🌊 Swipe left or right to center - back.
- 🌊 Swipe from bottom to right or left – switching between applications.
The transition to gestures takes some time to get used to, and in the early days you might find yourself looking for a back button, but after the adaptation, many users notice that the speed increases significantly and the risk of accidental taps decreases, and gestures allow you to use the screen more efficiently without being distracted by the bottom panel.
The table below compares the main characteristics of different navigation methods to help you make the final choice:
| Characteristics | Screen buttons | Physical button | Gestures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupied screen area | ~48 pixels | 0 pixels | 0 pixels |
| Adjustment rate | Instantly. | 1-2 days | 3-7 days |
| Convenience with one hand | Average. | High. | High. |
| Visual style | Classical. | Retro/Minimalism | Modern. |
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where buttons stop responding, disappear or work incorrectly, this can be caused by a system process freeze SystemUI or conflict of design themes. If the buttons are missing, first try to restart the device, 90% of the time it solves the problem.
If the reboot didn't work, check if you have a third-party theme installed. Some themes downloaded from unofficial sources may not display navigation elements correctly. Go back to the standard theme in the Themes app and check the buttons. Also make sure that the Developer settings don't include experimental features that affect the interface.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install applications to create floating buttons from the Play Market unless urgently needed. MIUI and cause memory leaks.
In rare cases, the problem may be in the hardware, especially if it is a physical button. If it has stopped responding to presses, but the sensor is working, it may require cleaning the mechanism or replacing the plume. For on-screen buttons, hardware problems are virtually eliminated if the touchscreen itself is working.
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If the buttons are missing after the system update, reset the interface settings or clear the cache of the "Security" and "Themes" application.