How to Include Lower Buttons on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face a situation when after updating the system or buying a new device, the usual control buttons disappear, giving way to swipes. This is uncomfortable for those who are used to the classic navigation scheme, where the bottom buttons allow you to clearly understand in which part of the screen the control is located. MIUI HyperOS, however, is a little less obvious.

Changing the way you navigate is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a matter of habit. Many users have been using a physical or on-screen keyboard at the bottom of the display for years and are not ready to switch to gesture control. Fortunately, the developers have left the choice, although they have hidden some options deeper into the menu. In this article, we will look at all the available ways, including hidden settings, that will help you customize the interface for yourself.

It's worth noting that on different models, whether it's a budget Redmi Note or a flagship Xiaomi 14, the layout of menu items may vary slightly. However, the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for the entire ecosystem. We will look at standard methods, ways to disable intrusive advertising in buttons and solutions for advanced users.

Standard way to enable buttons through settings

To start, unlock your smartphone screen and find the Settings icon, which is usually a gear-like app located on the home screen or in the Tools folder. When you enter the menu, scroll down to the section that can be called Additional Settings or just Settings depending on the firmware version.

Inside this section, you need to find the interface control item, which is often called Full-screen mode in current versions of MIUI, and that's where the gesture-button switch hides, and you click on it, and you'll see two or three options to choose from.

• 📱 Gestures are a modern way of controlling, where buttons are hidden, and navigation is carried out by swipes from the edges of the screen.
• 🔘 Buttons – a classic version with three virtual keys at the bottom of the display.
• ⚙️ Hide hints – an option that allows you to remove text (tips) above the buttons if they interfere with the review.

Once you select the button, the system will instantly apply changes, the screen can blink, and the navigation bar will appear at the bottom. If you choose this option, but the buttons did not appear, perhaps activated one-hand mode or some third-party launcher blocks system navigation, in which case it is worth checking for system updates.

Customization of order and appearance of buttons

Once you've managed to turn on the bottom buttons on Xiaomi, you often want to change the order. The standard layout in global firmware versions usually follows the logic of Android: from left to right, it goes "Menu", "Home", "Back." However, in Chinese versions of MIUI and left-handed people, the order is inverse.

You can change the sequence from the same menu you chose to navigate, and next to the choice between gestures and buttons, often you have the button order or button location, and by clicking on it, you can invert the position of the back and menu keys, which is especially true for people who are switching from other brands or using a smartphone with their left hand.

In addition to order, users are often interested in the size of the buttons and the ability to hide them. In some versions of the shell, the Hide button function is available, which allows you to temporarily remove the navigation bar to increase the usable area of the screen.

It is important to understand that changing these settings affects the performance of all applications. Some games or video players can automatically hide buttons, going to full screen mode. If after setting up, you notice that certain programs have buttons blocking the interface, check the settings of a particular application in the Applications → Settings → Application Management.

How to remove ads in the navigation bar

One of the most annoying problems Xiaomi owners have is the appearance of banner ads instead of standard buttons, a phenomenon that is often found in Chinese versions of firmware or when using informal builds.

To get rid of this, you need to disable the MIUI recommendation service. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to data. Find the msa application (MIUI System Ads) in the list and deny it access to the network. Without the Internet, the ad module will not be able to download banners.

⚠️ Note: Disabling msa may cause personalized recommendations to disappear in system applications such as Music or Themes. If you do not use these features, please disable the service.

You should also check the settings of the system applications themselves. In the Security app, go to the settings (cog in the corner) and find Receive recommendations. Uncheck this item. Also, a similar option should be searched in the Themes and Explorer app.

If the button ads appear after installing a particular application from an unknown source, it is likely that they are the culprit, in which case it will help to remove recently installed programs or run virus testing through the built-in antivirus.

Hidden functions and engineering menu

For advanced users who lack standard options, there are hidden navigation options that allow you to change the sensitivity, duration of vibration when pressed, and even the appearance of the buttons if you have the appropriate (theme) installed. These features are often accessed through an engineering menu or ADB.

One way to change the behavior of buttons is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands, which would require you to connect your smartphone to your computer, enable USB debugging, and type in a special command, such as changing the duration of the vibration of the tactile response.

adb shell settings put system haptic_feedback_enabled 1

This command forces vibration when you press navigation buttons, even if the standard audio settings have hidden or not worked correctly. Be careful when you enter commands: an incorrect parameter can lead to unstable system operation.

You can also resize the button area through the theme configuration files, and you can set a theme that supports customization of navigation and apply it, and after you use the theme, the buttons can become larger or change shape, which is especially convenient on smartphones with large screen sizes.

Control comparison: buttons vs. gestures

Choosing between buttons and gestures is not just a matter of habit, it is also a matter of ergonomics. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, which vary depending on the smartphone use scenario, and understanding these differences will help you make your final decision.

Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of both navigation methods on Xiaomi devices:

As you can see from the table, gestures are winning in terms of visual space and modernity, but buttons remain a more reliable and predictable tool. For users with large smartphones (more than 6.7 inches), gestures can be more convenient, since it is physically more difficult to reach the bottom buttons.

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If you have chosen gestures but accidentally activate them too often, try increasing the swipe sensitivity in the settings or use a black-framed protective glass to keep your finger from slipping off the edge.

Solution: buttons are not working or are missing

There are situations where buttons seem to be on but not responsive to clicks, or the navigation bar disappears in certain applications, which can be caused by a software failure, an application conflict, or a launcher error.

If the reboot didn't work, check if Do Not Disturb or One Hand mode is activated. In one hand mode, the screen shrinks, and the bottom with the buttons may be outside the visible area. You can turn off this mode by pulling down the bottom of the screen or through the Quick Access panel.

Also, the cause may be a system process failure SystemUI. To fix this without losing data, you can reset the launcher settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All Applications → System Launcher → Memory → Clear. This will return the desktop and navigation settings to their original state.

⚠️ Warning: Clearing the system launcher data will reset the layout of desktop icons and widgets. Make sure important shortcuts are not lost, or take a screenshot of the current location of the applications.

In rare cases, the problem lies in the damage of system files after a failed update. If nothing helps, you may need to reset to factory settings or flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.

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In most cases, the problem with broken buttons is solved by simply rebooting or switching the type of navigation back and forth in the settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)