How to turn on the buttons on the screen Xiaomi: 5 ways to return navigation

Did you pick up a Xiaomi smartphone and find that the usual Back, Home and Recent buttons disappeared from the screen? Or did they suddenly disappear after the system update, leaving you without the possibility of comfortable management? This problem is familiar to many owners of devices based on MIUI — especially after switching to gesture control or resetting. In 90% of cases, the virtual panel can be returned in 2-3 minutes without resorting to complex manipulations.

In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to turn on the buttons on the Xiaomi screen, from standard settings to hidden functions of the engineering menu. You’ll learn how to bring back the classic three-button navigation on the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others running on MIUI 12/13/14. And if the buttons don’t respond to touch, you’ll find a solution to this problem.

Why are the buttons on the Xiaomi screen missing?

The disappearance of virtual buttons (also called “soft keys” or “navigation bars”) is usually due to one of five reasons:

  • 🔄 Automatic update MIUI — After installing a new version of the system, the navigation type can be reset to gesture control.
  • ⚙️ Resetting – returning to factory settings often resets and the style of the navigation bar.
  • 👆 Random change in settings – for example, activating full-screen mode in games or applications.
  • 🛠️ Damage to system files is rare, but happens after unsuccessful firmware or manual editing of configs.
  • 📱 Hardware malfunction – if the touch screen is partially out of order (buttons do not respond, but the rest of the screen is running).

Xiaomi with MIUI 12 and later, the defaults are often to activate gesture navigation, where swipes from the bottom of the screen are used instead of buttons, which can confuse users who are used to the classic interface. Fortunately, you can manually return the buttons — more on that.

📊 What type of navigation do you prefer?
Classic buttons
Gesture management
I don't know what it is.
I'm using what I have.

Method 1: Enabling buttons through standard MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in options, which is suitable for 99% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 10-14.

Follow the instructions:

  1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
  2. Go to the Display section.
  3. Select Full-screen mode (on some firmware - Display Style).
  4. Slip on the line Navigation style or Navigation bar type.
  5. Select the button (or three buttons).
  6. Confirm the changes – the buttons should appear immediately.

If you don’t have a Navigation Style option on your menu, try an alternative path:

Settings → Additional settings → Full-screen mode → Navigation panel type

Check out the MIUI version (Settings → About the phone)

Connect charging (in case of prolonged manipulation)

Close all applications (for proper interface operation)

Take a screenshot of the current settings (in case of rollbacks)-->

Important! On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60) after selecting the buttons, you may need to reboot the device. If the buttons do not appear immediately, restart the smartphone manually.

Method 2: Activation through the engineering menu (for experienced)

If the standard settings did not work or the desired item is missing, you can try to turn on the buttons through the engineering menu, this method requires caution, since improper actions can disrupt the system.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##4636## (some firmware may not work – then use the alternate code below).
  2. In the menu that opens, select Testing or Engineering Mode.
  3. Go to the Hardware Testing → Touch Screen section.
  4. Check if the Virtual Key option is active. If not, turn it on.
  5. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot to reboot.

Alternative code for new models (MIUI 13/14):

##6484##
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Some firmware has blocked access to the engineering menu, in which case try: 1. Install the application MTK Engineering Mode (for devices running a MediaTek processor). 2. ADB-commands (computer and debugging required) USB). 3. Update MIUI Up to the latest version – sometimes it unlocks hidden features.

⚠️ Warning! Changing the settings in the engineering menu without understanding their purpose can lead to a loss of warranty or unstable operation of the smartphone.

Method 3: Reset the launcher settings (if the buttons are missing after the update)

Sometimes virtual buttons disappear after updating the launcher MIUI (Desktop shell), in which case it will help to reset its settings:

  1. Press the free area on the desktop (where there are no icons).
  2. In the menu that appears, select Desktop Settings (or Launcher Settings).
  3. Scroll down and find the option Reset Settings or Restore by default.
  4. Confirm the action - the launcher will restart, and the buttons must return.

If this method didn’t work, try clearing the launcher cache:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher (MIUI Launcher) → Storage → Clear cache

Critical detail: on some models (e.g. POCO F4), the launcher reset also resets the gesture settings.

Method 4: Recovery through ADB (for advanced users)

If the buttons are lost due to a system file failure, they can be returned using the ADB-Android Debug Bridge, which requires a computer and basic knowledge of how to use the console.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
  2. On your smartphone, activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shap 7 times)
  3. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers and enable USB debugging.
  4. Connect your phone to your PC via cable and command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) Adb shell settings put global settings force_fsg_nav_bar 1
  5. Reset the device.

If the buttons don’t appear, try the alternative command:

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

💡

Before using ADB, back up your data. Commands change system settings, and in rare cases, this can lead to unstable interfaces.

Method 5: Checking for hardware faults

If none of these things work, the problem may be in the hardware.

Symptoms.Possible causeDecision
The buttons don’t respond to touch, but the rest of the screen works.Damage to the lower part of the sensor layerReplacement of sensors in the service center
The buttons appear, but with a delay (lack)Display plume malfunctionDiagnostics and repairs in the service
The buttons flicker or spontaneously press.Moisture under the screenDevice drying + replacement of the display module
The buttons only work after rebooting.Installed software conflictRemoval of newly installed applications

⚠️ Attention! If the smartphone was in a wet environment or fell, don't try to disassemble it yourself.Modern Xiaomis have adhesive display mounting, and careless dismantling can damage plumes or battery. Contact an authorized service center - repair under warranty (if it is valid) will cost less.

Additional Tips for Configuring Virtual Buttons

You got the buttons back, but you want to customize them? MIUI There are hidden opportunities for this:

  • 🎨 Change the order of the buttons: go to Settings → Display. → Full screen mode → Order the buttons and select the desired sequence (for example, "Back-Home-Recent" or "Recent-Home-Back»).
  • 🖼️ Panel transparency: in the same settings, you can make buttons semi-transparent or completely hide them in full-screen applications.
  • ⚡ Long press: Holding the Home button calls Google Assistant, and the Recent buttons call the App menu. → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures.

In the models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) But the buttons can be blacked so that they blend into the bottom of the display:

Settings → Display → Full-screen mode → Color of the navigation panel → Black

💡

If after all the manipulations, the buttons never appeared, check if the mode for the visually impaired is activated in the special features settings. It can block the display of the virtual panel.

FAQ: Frequent questions about buttons on Xiaomi's screen

Can you return the buttons to Xiaomi with default gesture navigation (like POCO F5)?
Yes, even if your model has a gesture navigation system installed initially, it can be replaced by buttons via Settings → Display → Navigation Style. On some firmware, this item may be called the Navigation Bar Type.
After the MIUI update, the buttons became too small. How do you make them bigger?
Virtual button sizes are tightly fixed in the system and are not regulated in standard settings, but you can use applications like Button Mapper (root rights required) or enable screen zoom in special features settings.
The buttons on Xiaomi's screen are working, but they're late. What's the matter?
The delay can be caused by: CPU overload (close the background apps); damage to the touch layer at the bottom of the screen; shell conflict (try changing the launcher to Nova Launcher); if the problem remains, reset your settings via Settings → About Phone → Reset (remember to make a backup!).
My Xiaomi doesn't have a navigation style item in the settings. What do I do?
This could mean that: You have custom firmware (like LineageOS) where there are no MIUI settings. Try to return stock firmware. The manufacturer has removed the option for your model (relevant to some POCO and Black Shark), in which case only ADB or engineering menus will help. Settings are hidden due to regional restrictions. Try changing the region to India or Europe in the settings.
Can I reassign the button functions to Xiaomi?
No root rights, button reassignment is limited. However, MIUI has built-in options: Long click on Home → Google Assistant call or task menu; Double tap on Recent → switch between the latest apps. Full customization (such as assigning a back button to start the camera) will require root rights and the Button Mapper app.