Modern smartphones are increasingly abandoning physical or on-screen buttons in favor of full-screen gestures, but for many users of the Xiaomi Redmi 8, the classic control scheme remains more familiar and convenient. Switching to gestures can be confusing, especially if you have previously used devices with Home, Back and Menu buttons. Fortunately, the MIUI shell makes it easy to return the usual interface without the need to install third-party applications.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of activating navigation buttons, consider possible problems when switching and answer frequently asked questions of owners of Redmi 8. You will learn not only to include buttons, but also to adjust their location to your preferences, which will make using the gadget much more comfortable.
Before you start making changes, make sure your smartphone is charged at least on the right side. 20-30%, While changing navigation settings does not require rebooting, stable operation is important for the correct application of new interface settings.
Why return the classic navigation buttons
Many users prefer classic navigation buttons because of their predictability and haptic return (visual or vibrational). Gestures require more screen space and may conflict with the interface of some applications, where swiping from the edge of the screen is perceived as an action inside the program.
Also, on devices like the Xiaomi Redmi 8 with a 6.22-inch screen, gesture control with one hand may not always be convenient. Buttons occupy a minimal area at the bottom of the display, freeing up useful space for content, but always being pressable, especially for people with large fingers or those who wear protective cases with high sides.
It’s also worth noting the impact on autonomy. While the difference is minimal, constantly activating the sensor at the edges of the screen for gesture recognition can consume slightly more power than a static button area. For low-end devices, optimizing each percent of battery power can be a crucial factor in favor of classic control.
⚠️ Note: When switching to navigation buttons, the lower part of the screen will be occupied by the control panel, which will reduce the useful area of displaying content in applications and games.
Where to find the management system settings
To change the way you navigate, you need to get into the appropriate operating system settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI installed on your Redmi 8, but the logic remains the same. Open the Settings app (the gear icon) on the home screen or in the menu of all apps.
In the options list that opens, scroll down to the Advanced Settings section. This is where you hide the settings that affect the interface look, language, date and time, and management. In some firmware versions, this item may simply be called Advanced Settings.
Inside the "Additional Settings" menu, find Full-screen Mode. Despite the name, this section is responsible for switching between gestures and buttons. Clicking on this section will open a control method selection screen where you can see a visual comparison of the two options.
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If you can't find Full-screen mode, search by settings. Type the word "navigation" or "buttons" into the search bar at the top of the settings menu, and the system will suggest the desired section.
The settings interface can be hidden if the “Simple Mode” mode for older people is activated, in which case the buttons can be accessed immediately on the desktop, and the settings menu is simplified, and you need to go from simple to standard mode to access full functionality.
Step-by-step instructions for switching on buttons
Once you have entered Full Screen mode, you will see a window with two main options, the top one usually offers gestures (swipes), and the bottom one - the use of buttons, and you will have to choose the second option.
Click on Buttons. The system will instantly apply the changes, and at the bottom of the screen will appear three familiar buttons, usually in order: Back (left), Home (center), and App Menu (right), but this depends on the regional settings and the MIUI version.
☑️ Checking the activation of navigation
After selecting the buttons, note the option to Change the order of the buttons (or “Button Location”), which allows you to invert the position of the “Back” and “Menu” buttons, which is convenient for left-handed or users who have switched from iOS, where the management logic may differ.
If the buttons didn’t appear immediately, try locking and unlocking your smartphone screen. Rarely does a device reboot be required to fully implement system changes, especially if heavy apps were running in the background.
⚠️ Note: If after switching on the buttons they overlap important elements in a particular application (for example, the “Buy” button in the store), try temporarily folding the application and deploying it again so that the interface is redrawn correctly.
Customization of order and appearance of buttons
The standard button layout in Xiaomi Android smartphones implies that the back button is on the left, but many users are used to the reverse scheme, where the back button is on the right, and you can change this from the same menu Full-screen mode by activating the switch Change the order of the buttons.
When the order inversion occurs, the left button will be responsible for calling the list of running applications (Menu), and the right button will be responsible for returning back. The central home button always stays in place and serves to return to the home screen or call the voice assistant with prolonged pressing.
The appearance of the buttons (their size and transparency) is governed by system themes. If you don't like the standard white or black buttons, you can go to the Themes app and find a design that changes the style of the navigation bar. Some themes make the buttons more minimalistic or, conversely, more contrasting.
| Control element | Function (single press) | Function (prolonged pressing) |
|---|---|---|
| Left button (or right button inversion) | Back (previous screen) | No function. |
| Central button | Home (work desk) | Launching Google Assistant |
| Right button (or left button inversion) | Apps menu (recent) | No function. |
| Double-pushing on the central | Switching between the latest apps | - |
Also worth mentioning is the button hiding feature, which some versions of MIUI have a setting that allows you to hide the button bar when not in use, showing it only when you touch the bottom of the screen, which allows you to combine the benefits of the buttons and the full screen.
Secrets of button combinations
Solution: buttons are not working or are missing
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the buttons stop responding to the presses or disappear after the system update. The first thing you need to do is to eliminate the software failure. Try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.
If the problem persists, check to see if Do Not Disturb mode or special features that may block navigation are turned on, and also make sure that there is no protective film on the screen that could have shifted and blocked the touch zone at the bottom of the Redmi 8 display.
In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the system application responsible for the interface helps. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the system launcher (often called System Launcher or System Launcher), select Memory and click Clear Cache. Don’t confuse it with the Clear Everything button so as not to reset the icons.
⚠️ Note: If the navigation buttons stop working after installing a third-party launcher or customization application, delete this application.
If nothing works, you may have damaged the touchscreen in the lower zone, check the sensor with an engineering menu or special applications to test the screen, if the sensor does not respond anywhere in the lower band, you may need repair.
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Most navigation button problems are solved by simply restarting the device or disabling conflicting launcher apps.
Comparison of gestures and buttons: what to choose
Choosing between gestures and buttons is a matter of taste, but each method has its own technical features: gestures provide a complete immersion in the content and visually expand the screen, making the device's frames less visible, ideal for watching videos and games.
Buttons, on the other hand, are better at speed and clarity. You don't have to memorize complex swipe combinations; just one pinpoint tap is enough. For users with hand tremors or motor impairments, buttons are the only convenient way to control a smartphone.
In terms of ergonomics, the buttons on Xiaomi Redmi 8 are located in the reach of the thumb, but when using a high-sided case, pressing them can be more difficult than swiping on glass.
- ✅ Gestures: Maximum screen area, modern, less wear specific area of the screen.
- ✅ Buttons: High accuracy, familiar interface, convenience for one hand, accessibility for all users.
- ✅ Hybrid approach: Use of buttons with concealment function to save space.
Ultimately, there are no restrictions on using any of the methods on the Xiaomi Redmi 8, and you can switch between them at any time without losing data.It is recommended to try each option for a couple of days to see which one suits your particular usage style.