Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to personalize the interface of the device to their own preferences. the Redmi 4X model, despite its age, remains popular due to the reliability and flexibility of the MIUI system. One of the first questions that arises for new users or after resetting is changing the way windows are managed.
Standard navigation can be implemented through on-screen buttons or modern gestures, but many users are used to the classic version with three buttons at the bottom of the screen. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate this mode, what hidden settings exist, and how to avoid common errors when configuring the interface.
Smartphone management is a basic skill that determines how fast you're working with your device. Properly configured controls allow you to switch between apps faster and return to your desktop. Let's look at a step-by-step algorithm for activating the mode you want.
Access to the main system settings
To start any changes to the interface, you need to go to the main settings menu, which is the central control center for the Android operating system and the MIUI shell, and here you can find all the parameters that affect the appearance and functionality of the device.
Find an icon on your desktop with a gear image that is usually labeled “Settings” or “Settings.” Clicking on this item will open a list of all available categories. You will need to find the section responsible for additional system settings, since this is often where key navigation options are hidden.
The interfaces of the settings in different versions of the firmware may look different, but the logic of the arrangement of the elements remains similar. Look for items containing the words "Extended", "Additional" or "System", and these are the subsections where the switches that control the behavior of the system controls are located.
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If you can’t find the menu item you want, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen by entering the keyword “navigation.”
Remember that some features may be limited by user rights or firmware version installed. However, on Redmi 4X, standard tools make it easy to manage the type of navigation without obtaining root rights.
Activation of screen navigation buttons
Once you go to the settings menu, you need to find a section that is often called Advanced Settings in the MIUI shell. Inside this menu, you should look for Full Screen Mode or Navigation, and that's where the switch between gestures and classic buttons happens.
In the window that opens, you will see the options for the location of the controls. To enable the buttons, select the option “Buttons” or uncheck the “Hide Navigation Buttons” item, depending on the version of your system. Once you select the appropriate item, the changes take effect instantly.
☑️ Checking button activation
If no buttons appear after these actions, a third-party launcher or theme is likely active in the system, blocking standard behavior, in which case it is recommended to temporarily switch to the standard MIUI theme to check functionality.
⚠️ Attention: When you switch navigation modes, the screen may blink or go out for a second. This is normal behavior when you redraw the interface, and it doesn't require any intervention.
Make sure the mode is actually active by checking for three characteristic icons at the bottom of the display, usually a triangle (back), a circle (home), and a square (application menu), although their appearance may vary depending on the topic.
Customization of order and appearance of buttons
One of Xiaomi's unique features is the ability to reorder the buttons, and many users prefer a back button to the right, which is convenient for one-handed control, which is available in the same menu where you turned on the buttons themselves.
To change the layout of items, find the “Change the button order” switch or similar item in the navigation menu, activating this feature will swap the “Back” and “Menu” buttons, leaving the “Home” button in the center, especially for those who have previously used Samsung or HTC smartphones.
In addition to order, you can adjust the vibration duration when pressed, if your Redmi 4X supports tactile return in the interface, which adds a physical sense of confirmation of action, which increases the usability of the device as a whole.
Remember that the visual style of the buttons depends on the theme you have set. If you don’t like standard black or white icons, visit the MIUI Theme Store, where thousands of design options for system elements are available.
Comparison of navigation with buttons and gestures
Choosing between buttons and gestures is a matter of habit and ergonomics. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages to consider when setting up a device. Understanding the differences will help you choose the best option for everyday use.
Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the two methods of managing the smartphone interface:
| Characteristics | Screen buttons | Navigation with gestures |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied seat | They're taking a strip at the bottom of the screen. | No seats, full screen mode |
| Ease of learning | Intuitively understandable, habitually | It takes time to get used to. |
| Speed of operation | High, precise presses. | High, but depends on the accuracy of the swipes |
| Impact on the battery | Minimum | A little higher due to permanent sensors |
Buttons provide clear visual and haptic feedback, you always see where the return button is and you don't doubt whether you're doing it right, and this is especially important for users with less responsive screens or those who prefer the physical feel of a click.
Gestures, in turn, free up useful screen area, which is true for multimedia content. However, on budget models such as the Redmi 4X, processing complex gestures can sometimes lead to micro-latency, while buttons work instantly.
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For the Redmi 4X, buttons are often preferred because of the smaller screen size and the possibility of more precise one-handed control.
Solution with the disappearance of buttons
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the navigation buttons disappear spontaneously, this can be caused by a malfunction in the system process of SystemUI or a conflict with the running application.
If the reboot didn't work, check to see if you have a full-screen app running. Videos, games, and some readers automatically hide controls to immerse themselves in content, in which case you can call buttons by swiping from the bottom edge of the screen upwards.
Another reason could be that you activate the One-Hand mode, which is when the screen shrinks and the navigation buttons can shift or hide, and turn off this mode in the optional settings to return the standard interface look.
What if the buttons are missing after the update?
Also worth checking for system updates: newer versions of MIUI for older devices may have patched interface rendering bugs. Go to About Phone and check for new versions of the software.
Use of additional navigation functions
The MIUI shell offers advanced navigation button capabilities, such as double-clicking on either Home or Menu, which can be programmed to run certain applications or functions, and can significantly speed up access to frequently used tools.
To set up these actions, go to Advanced Settings and find “Button Shortcuts” or “Button Management” where you can assign a camera, flashlight or specific application to run for a short or long press.
Using these features turns standard buttons into a powerful control tool, so you can set up a double-pressed voice recorder, which is useful for students or journalists, or quick access to a calculator.
⚠️ Be careful when assigning functions to long-pressing, as this may conflict with standard system behavior in some applications.
Remember that too many of the tasks you do can be confusing, and it’s best to leave 1-2 really useful functions that you use every day so that you don’t overload your memory with muscle actions.
Optimization of the interface on Redmi 4X
The Redmi 4X is equipped with a Snapdragon 435 processor, which, while reliable, can have trouble with today’s heavy themes. It’s recommended to use lightweight, standard themes to ensure smooth navigation buttons.
Transition animation also affects how fast buttons are perceived, and in the Developer section, which can be activated by repeatedly clicking on the MIUI version number, you can scale down the animation of windows, making the button response visually more instantaneous.
Regularly cleaning RAM helps avoid freezes in the system processes responsible for navigation. Use the built-in Security tool to clean up garbage and speed up the device before performing important tasks.
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Reducing the animation scale in the developer menu to 0.5x will make navigation buttons on Redmi 4X much faster and more responsive.
Compliance with these simple rules will allow your device to work consistently for many years, and the correct navigation setting is the first step to comfortable use of your smartphone.