How to turn on navigation buttons Xiaomi Redmi 9T

Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 9T smartphone often face the need to change the standard way to manage the MIUI interface. By default, modern firmware versions offer gesture control, which saves space on the screen, but for many users, the classic scheme with three buttons remains more familiar and convenient in everyday use.

The transition to traditional control allows you to navigate faster in the system, especially if you have switched from other Android models or just prefer the tactile response of virtual keys. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to turn on the navigation buttons on Redmi 9T, consider hidden settings and solve possible problems with their display.

Distinctions in gesture and button management on MIUI

MIUI

Redmi 9T

Classic navigation buttons are three static or dynamic keys at the bottom of the screen: Back, Home, and App Menu, which ensures stability because the push zone is always in one place, reducing random action. For many Xiaomi users, this is a critical aspect of ergonomics.

The choice between the two is a matter of taste, but functionally they are the same. However, it is worth noting that when you turn on the buttons, the useful screen area is slightly reduced, since the lower bar is reserved for system navigation, which is important for owners of the Redmi 9T model with its large 6.53-inch display.

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Switching between gestures and buttons is instantaneous and does not require a device reboot, allowing you to test both options without risking data.

The main method of activation through system settings

The simplest and most formal method of switching control mode is built into the standard operating system settings menu, so you don't need to install third-party apps or get super-user rights, and the whole process takes less than a minute and takes a few steps.

To start, unlock your Redmi 9T and find the Settings icon on your desktop (usually a gray gear symbol). Once you enter the menu, scroll down to the display and interface section. Different versions of MIUI may call this item differently, but the logic remains the same.

• 📱 Find and open the menu option Additional settings (in some localizations it may be called simply "Advanced settings»).
• 🔍 In the list that opens, select Full-screen Mode, and that's where the switch between modern gestures and classics lurks.
• ✅ At the bottom of the screen, you'll see two options: Full-screen gestures and Buttons. Select the second option to activate the three buttons.

After selecting the buttons, the changes take effect immediately. At the bottom of the screen Xiaomi Redmi 9T will appear characteristic strip with three controls, the system will automatically remember your choice, and the next time you restart the phone settings will remain.

Setting the location and appearance of the buttons

Once you’ve managed to turn on the navigation buttons on the Xiaomi Redmi 9T, the system often offers additional customization options. Users can change the order of the keys, which is especially true for those who are used to Samsung’s control scheme or older versions of Android, where the Back button is on the right.

In the Full-screen menu, right below the navigation type, you usually have the "Order of the Buttons" or "Order of the Buttons" option available. When you click on it, you'll see a preview of the bottom panel. The standard MIUI schema has the "Back" button on the left, the "Home" button on the center and the "Menu" on the right. The switch will allow you to invert the order by putting "Back" on the right.

You should also pay attention to the ability to hide buttons when watching videos or reading. Navigation settings often include “Hide the hint” or “Hide the panel in full screen mode,” which allows the buttons to disappear when you run the application on the full screen, and only appear when you swipe lightly from the bottom up.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the order of the buttons may cause discomfort at first, as muscle memory will be drawn to the usual location.

Using a floating button to control

If the standard buttons at the bottom of the screen seem uncomfortable due to the Redmi 9T's large size, or you often use your smartphone with one hand, the system offers an alternative: a floating button (Quick Ball), a virtual assistant that can be moved around the screen to anywhere.

You can activate this tool through the Settings path → Additional settings → Floating button. When you turn on the switch, you will see a translucent circle on the screen. When you click on it, you open a menu with the main functions: return back, access to the desktop, lock the screen and create a screenshot.

• 🖱️ The floating button does not override the content of the applications and disappears if a few seconds are not used.
• ⚙️ In the settings, you can assign actions for single, double pressing or long retention.
• 🎨 Change of appearance of the icon and its transparency for maximum comfort is available.

This method is often chosen by users who want to maximize the usable area of the display, but are not ready to completely abandon tactile control in favor of complex gestures. For Xiaomi, this is a standard feature that does not require third-party software.

Comparison of navigation methods: Characteristics table

To make a definitive decision on how to control your Redmi 9T, a comparative analysis is useful. Below is a table that shows the key differences between full-screen gestures, classic buttons and a floating ball.

As you can see from the comparison, classic buttons are better for predictability and speed for beginners, while gestures are preferable for those who appreciate every millimeter of the screen and love modern interface solutions.

Solution: buttons are missing or not working

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after a system update or a MIUI malfunction, the navigation bar disappears or ceases to respond to clicks, this can be caused by a conflict of running applications or an error in the system process SystemUI.

First, try rebooting your smartphone. In 90% of cases, it restores the interface to normal operation. If the problem persists, check if Do Not Disturb mode or special features that can block controls are on, and make sure that there is no low-quality protective film on the screen that distorts the touch layer at the bottom.

In more complex cases, cleaning the cache of system applications helps. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, search the System Interface (or System UI) list and select Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with the Clear All button so you don't reset your personal settings.

⚠️ Note: If the buttons are missing in only one particular application (e.g., a game or video), this is normal behavior for the system to dive into content.

Additional navigation options in MIUI

Xiaomi’s ecosystem is constantly evolving, and new features are being introduced to the Redmi 9T firmware to make it easier to manage, such as the “App Launch Accelerated” feature, which allows you to open frequently used programs by double tapping on the screen off, which partially compensates for the lack of a physical button.

It is also worth mentioning the ability to adjust the vibration duration when you press buttons. While this option may not be explicitly available on the standard Redmi 9T menu, the overall level of haptic feedback is adjusted in the Sounds and Vibrations section. Make sure that the Vibration When Touch slider is activated if you want to feel the key response.

For advanced users, there is the possibility of fine-tuning through ADB-commands that allow you to resize buttons or their transparency, but this requires a computer connection and certain technical knowledge. MIUI not yet provided.

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Use the Pocket Mode feature in lock settings to avoid accidental clicks of navigation buttons when the phone is in your bag or pocket.