How to enable navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step configuration

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones use gesture control by default, which saves usable screen space and makes interaction with the interface more smooth. However, many users who have switched from other devices or just got used to the classics feel uncomfortable with the lack of the usual physical or on-screen buttons at the bottom of the display. Returning traditional navigation with three buttons (Back, Home, Menu) is quite simple, but the process can vary depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to activate control buttons, including hidden settings for advanced users. You will learn how to change the order of the navigation elements so that the back button is convenient for you, and also look at the features of landscape mode. The correct navigation setting can significantly improve the speed of work with a smartphone, especially on devices with a large screen.

Before we start to make changes, it’s worth noting that the settings interface may vary slightly from one model to another, such as the Redmi Note 12, Redmi Note 13 or older. However, the logic of the system remains the same for all current firmware from the Chinese manufacturer.

Standard activation path through system settings

The main and most reliable way to enable navigation buttons is in the system settings menu, which works on 99% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, regardless of the firmware region (Global, EEA, China). First, you need to unlock the screen and find the Settings app, which is usually indicated by a gear.

Once you log in, you scroll down to the section that controls the screen and the overall behavior of the system. In different versions of MIUI, this section may be called differently, but most often it is hidden inside the "Additional Settings" section, which is where the parameters that affect the visual display of the interface elements are concentrated.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Open the Settings app on the main screen.
• 🔍 Find and select Additional Settings (or simply Screen in new versions of HyperOS).
• 🖱️ Click on the Full Screen Mode section.
• ✅ At the bottom of the screen, select the button option.

Once you switch the switch or select the appropriate option, the swipe gestures will stop working, and at the bottom of the screen will appear three familiar buttons. The system will immediately apply changes, and you will not need to reboot the device. If you do not find the option "Full screen mode", try searching by settings by entering the word "navigation" or "buttons".

Setting the location and behavior of buttons

Once the buttons are turned on, many users notice that their location is not as usual. For example, the back button may be on the right, although it would be more convenient to the left, or vice versa. Fortunately, the system allows you to flexibly adjust the order of navigation elements without installing third-party software.

In the same menu where you turned on the buttons (Settings → Additional settings → Full screen mode), you can change the order function. By clicking on the icon with the image of three dots or gears next to the selected mode, you will see a preview of the navigation bar. Here you can swap buttons or hide unnecessary ones, if this option is supported by your version of Android.

You also need to pay attention to the behavior of the buttons in horizontal mode, and when watching a video or playing a game, the navigation bar can move to the right or left side of the screen, or stay at the bottom.

• 🔄 In the menu Full-screen mode, find the Orientation in landscape mode.
• 📐 Select the option Side on the right, Side on the left or Below.
• 💡 Activate Hide Tips if the prompt arrows interfere with the review.

⚠️ Note: Some older Redmi models with shells MIUI 11 and below, the ability to change the order of the buttons may not be possible, in which case the location is rigidly specified by the manufacturer for a particular region.

It's important to understand that changing the order of the buttons only affects the visual part. The logic of the work remains the same: the extreme button is always responsible for returning, the central button is responsible for accessing the desktop, and the right (or left, depending on the layout) for opening the list of running applications. For people with limited finger mobility, setting up the location can become critical for comfortable use of a smartphone.

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If you often accidentally press the navigation buttons in your pocket, try turning on the “In your pocket” mode in the lock settings or use a case with raised edges.

Hiding buttons and controlling one touch

Not all users need to have a constant view of the buttons, sometimes maximum immersion is required, such as when reading or viewing photos, in which cases the buttons can be temporarily hidden using a special concealment function, or even disable their display, leaving control only through hidden areas.

The button hiding feature allows you to remove the navigation bar from the screen with one swipe, and to return the buttons, just make a short touch at the bottom of the screen where they were located, this is a hybrid mode that combines the advantages of buttons and free space.

To activate this function:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Full-screen mode.
2. Make sure that the button mode is selected.
3. Find the Hide button switch and activate it.
4. Now, an additional icon will appear on the navigation bar (usually on the left or right), clicking on which hides the buttons.

In addition, the system has a "One-touch" mode that emulates the Home button on a locked screen or interface. Double tapping on the screen can wake the device or turn off the screen, which is also part of the navigation ecosystem. However, it is worth remembering that completely hiding the buttons can make navigation difficult for the elderly or those who are not familiar with return gestures.

Alternative methods through the Engineering Menu and ADB

In rare cases, when a standard settings menu is blocked by a carrier or damaged by a firmware failure, you can use deeper customization methods. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires connecting your smartphone to your computer and having basic technical skills.

To change the command line navigation parameter, you must execute the following command, which changes the system flag:

adb shell settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "back,home,recent"

This command enforces the classic button order. However, using ADB carries risks: an incorrect command can lead to unstable operation of the SystemUI interface. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to create a full backup of data before performing any actions through the console.

Another method is to use special launcher applications or customization utilities, such as Button Mapper or Navigation Bar. They allow you not only to turn on buttons, but also to reassign their functions, such as running a particular application with a long press.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party apps to replace system navigation can cause shell conflicts MIUI, Especially after system updates, use them only if the standard methods don't work.

Button problems and their solution

Even after setting it up properly, users can run into problems: buttons can disappear, overlap with the application interface, or react with a delay. Most often this is due to a software failure of a particular application or the MIUI shell itself. The first thing you can do is just reboot the device, which solves 80% of the interface's time glitches.

If the reboot didn’t work, check to see if the full screen mode is on for the specific application. Each application has a Full screen setting that can force navigation elements to hide, and it’s also worth checking for system updates, as new patches often fix interface layout errors.

Checklist for diagnosing navigation problems:

• 🔄 Perform a full reboot of the smartphone.
• 📱 Check the full screen settings for a specific application.
• 🛠️ Clear the Settings and SystemUI app cache through the application menu.
• 🔌 Disable all external accessories (cases, magnets) that can affect the operation of the sensor.

In case the buttons are gone completely and not turned on even through the settings, the system configuration file may be damaged. In this situation, resetting to factory settings can help, but this is an extreme measure that requires prior saving of all data. If the problem occurred after installing a third-party theme, try returning the standard theme in the Themes app.

Comparison of navigation with gestures and buttons

Choosing between buttons and gestures is a matter of personal preference, but each method has its own technical features. Gestures introduced in Android 10 and later allow you to use the entire screen area and make control more intuitive on bezel-less displays. However, they require addiction and more accurate finger movements.

Buttons provide tactile and visual feedback, which reduces the number of erroneous clicks. For users with large Redmi Note smartphones, buttons can be more convenient because their range is predictable. Gestures require swipes from the edges, which on wide screens can be uncomfortable without using one hand.

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Buttons provide better hit accuracy and familiar experience, while gestures give more free space and a modern look at the interface.

Also worth mentioning is the impact on performance: On older or budget Redmi models with little RAM, the use of animated gestures can create a subtle but tangible load on the processor when drawing transitions. Buttons are more static and require less system resources to respond.