Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are getting bigger every year, and screen frames are almost disappearing, giving way to the full-screen format. In this regard, the company is actively promoting gesture control, which frees up the useful area of the display and looks aesthetically pleasing. However, many users who have switched from other brands or just got used to the classics feel uncomfortable with the lack of familiar buttons at the bottom of the screen.
Getting back to classic navigation is easy, as the MIUI shell (and its new version of HyperOS) allows you to flexibly adjust this setting. In this article, we will detail where to find the right settings, how the control systems differ, and how to solve typical problems with displaying interface elements.
To start with, switching between gestures and buttons doesn’t require root rights or third-party software.All the necessary tools are already built into the system, and changing the settings will take you no more than a minute, after which your Redmi or Poco will become easier to use.
What is the difference between gestures and navigation buttons
Before you change your settings, it’s important to understand the fundamental difference between the two management methods, as each has its own advantages for different use cases. Gesture management is based on swipes from the edges of the screen: swipe from the bottom returns to the desktop, swipe from the side is a back action, and a delay from the bottom opens up the menu of recent applications.
Classic navigation buttons are three static or dynamic areas at the bottom of the display, usually from left to right: the Menu button (or Back, depending on the region), the Home button and the Recent Apps button. For many users, having a physical or visual prompt at the bottom of the screen is a critical element of ergonomics.
It’s also worth mentioning that using buttons can be more convenient on older smartphone models or when using thick-framed protective glasses that sometimes interfere with swipe recognition. Also, the Home button often has an additional feature – a brief tap calls the voice assistant, which speeds up interaction with Google Assistant or Xiao AI.
Where to find management settings in MIUI and HyperOS
Finding the desired menu may vary depending on the operating system version and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA). In most current shell versions, the path to settings is unified and is located in the system parameters section.
You need to open the Settings app and scroll through the list to Settings Additions, and that's where the settings that affect the system interface, including language, date, time, and of course how you navigate, are hidden. In some versions of MIUI 14, this item may simply be referred to as System Navigation in the main menu.
Why can the settings be different?
If you can't find a location, use the search bar at the top of the settings menu, type in "navigation" or "gestures" and the system will prompt you to go to the desired section, which is the fastest way, especially if you recently updated your smartphone and the menu items have shifted.
Step-by-step instructions for switching on buttons
The process of activating buttons is extremely simple, but it requires care not to confuse similar menu items. Follow the algorithm below to ensure that you get the desired result.
First, go to Settings → Additional Settings → System Navigation. You will see a window with two main options: Full-screen gestures and buttons. The default is often the first option.
☑️ The button-including algorithm
Select Buttons. Immediately after you press the bottom of the screen, three virtual keys will appear. The system will offer you two options for location: the Back button on the left or right. Choose the one you're used to and click Ready or just exit the menu - the changes apply instantly.
⚠️ Note: Some third-party launchers may change when switching from gestures to buttons. If you use a custom desktop, check if it displays correctly with the new navigation bar.
It is important to note that in some models AMOLED-Buttons can be displayed with indentations rather than full width, so as not to overlap important elements of the application interface. MIUI and not a mistake.
Customization of button order and additional functions
Once the buttons are turned on, users often want to adjust their order, with the standard layout in the global versions being "Back" on the left, "Home" on the center, "Menu" on the right, but in Chinese firmware or after changing the region, the reverse order is often found.
In the navigation type selection menu, you'll see a preview of a smartphone with two layout options, and if you click on the one you want, you'll instantly change the order, which is especially true for those who have switched from Samsung or iPhone devices (via emulation), where the logic of the buttons may differ.
| Element | Function (standard) | Additional action |
|---|---|---|
| Left button | Back (out of menu) | No (in some versions) |
| Central button | Home (work desk) | Long press - Google Assistant |
| Right button | Menu (open apps) | No. |
| Swipe button | Depends on the launcher. | Launching Quick Access |
And this section can also have a button hiding feature, which is that if you activate this switch, the buttons will disappear when you're not using your phone, and only appear when you swipe from the bottom edge, which is a compromise for those who want to see the whole picture but are afraid of getting confused in gestures.
💡
To quickly switch between open applications, try not just to press the menu button, but to swipe up from it and hold your finger – split screen mode or sidebar will open.
What to do if the buttons are missing or not working
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after updating the system or installing the application, the navigation buttons disappear or cease to respond to clicks, most often this is a software failure of the SystemUI shell.
The first thing you can do is to try to just reboot your device, which clears the temporary cache of system processes and returns the navigation bar to its place 90% of the time. If the reboot didn't work, check if Full Screen mode is on for the specific application you're in.
In some cases, the problem is caused by the One Hand mode or special features. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features and check if third-party management tools are activated there that may conflict with standard Xiaomi navigation.
⚠️ Note: If the buttons are missing after installing the theme from Themes, try resetting the theme to a standard one. Third-party designs often change the system files of the interface, causing conflicts.
If nothing helps, you can try resetting the interface through the engineering menu or ADB, but this requires caution. For the average user, it will be safer to reset all the phone settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset → Erase all data) by making a backup beforehand.
Hiding the navigation lane for full immersion
Even with the buttons on, there is often a thin bar at the bottom of the screen, and many users are annoyed by this visual noise, especially in light backgrounds, and newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS can hide this bar.
To do this, in the same System Navigation menu, find a "Hide gesture prompt" or similar switch. However, if you have buttons on, this item may not be available, in which case the bar is part of the system button container.
There's a caveat: on screens with a neckline or a hole under the camera, the strip can always be displayed to indicate the boundaries of the workspace, a limitation of the hardware and software calibration of the display that cannot be changed by standard means.
💡
The bottom indicator is only completely hidden when full-screen gestures are used, and when the buttons are turned on, the stripe is an integral part of their visual container.
The Effect of One-Hand Mode on Navigation
One-hand Mode (or One-Hand Control) can dramatically change the behavior of navigation buttons, and when this mode is activated, the screen shrinks and the buttons move to the bottom corner, making them accessible to the thumb.
You can activate this mode by swiping away from the Home button (with the buttons on) or from the lower center of the screen (with gestures), if your buttons "go" into the corner and you don't understand why, chances are you accidentally activated this feature.
To exit one-handed mode, tap the folded window icon or swipe the opposite way. If the feature interferes with you constantly, you can turn it off from the Additional Settings menu → One-handed control.